The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has posted an updated list of recent Retail Food Inspection Reports for restaurants and food handlers in Berks County. Inspections are a “snapshot” of the day and time of the inspection. Violations are recorded but are often corrected on the spot prior to the inspector leaving the facility. For more information on retail food inspection reports, visit: agriculture.pa.gov
On January 16, 2025, Jackson Democratic Club of Reading, located at 1201 Moss St, Reading, PA 19604, was inspected and found with the following violation: Potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours, located in the bain marie, is not being date marked.
On January 21, 2025, Works at Wyomissing & Building 24 & Slick’s Cafe, located at 1109 Bern Rd, Wyomissing, PA 19610, was inspected and found with the following violations: The Person in Charge did not demonstrate adequate control of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Bulk dry ingredient storage containers, in the Works kitchen area, are not labeled with the common name of the food. Small stainless steel container without a handle is being used as a food dispensing utensil in one of the bulk dry storage containers and is being stored in the food product. Food was held at 59 °F, in the 2-door Continental refrigeration unit in the Bldg 24 kitchen, rather than 41°F or below as required. Corrected by disposal of out-of-temperature items. The ice machine and soda gun at the Bldg 24 Club and one soda gun at the Works bar, food contact surfaces, were observed to have residue and were not clean to sight and touch. The slicer and pasta cooker in the Works kitchen, food contact surfaces, were observed to have dried food residue and were not clean to sight and touch. The following areas need to be cleaned: (1) one of the floor drains under the bar in the Works, (2) front counter shelves in Slick’s Cafe, (3) the interior of the 2-door refrigerator in Slick’s Cafe, (4) the interior of the 2-door under counter refrigeration unit at the Works cooking line, (5) the floor under the fryers at the Works cooking line, (6) the fan in the back food preparation area of the Works kitchen, (7) the wire shelving being used to store clean plastic containers/lids in the Works kitchen, (8) the floor under tables/shelves in the bakery area, and (9) the floor under the soda box system in the dry storage room. Observed standing dirty water in one of the sinks in Slick’s Cafe. The adjacent sink has a ring of dirt and old food debris. Sinks may not be draining properly. Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the Bldg 24 bar area. The handwash sink in the Bldg 24 bar area does not have single use towels.
On January 21, 2025, Dunkin Donuts #355023, located at 2 Penn Ave, Robesonia, PA 19551, was inspected and found with the following violation: Two drains in the drive thru area were observed stopped and not draining as required.
On January 22, 2025, Vinnie’s Pizza, located at 207 N Furnace St, Birdsboro, PA 19508, was inspected and found with the following violations: Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the kitchen area. Corrected. Working containers (spray bottles) in chemical storage area, used for storing chemicals, cleaners taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical. Corrected.
On January 22, 2025, Rico Casa Fort Inn, located at 1343 Hex Hwy, Hamburg, PA 19526, was inspected and found with the following violation: Spray bottle in dish area, used for storing chemicals, cleaners taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical. Corrected.
On January 22, 2025, Go Fish Seafood, located at 301 S Hull St, Reading, PA 19608, was inspected and found with the following violations: Food contact surface of three rubber spatulas is not smooth, easily cleanable and/or resistant to pitting, cracking or scratching. Corrected. Food facility does not have available quat sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration.
On January 22, 2025, Friendship Fire Co #1 Social Quarters, located at 214 W 1st St, Birdsboro, PA 19508, was inspected and found with the following violations: Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the bar area. Corrected. Working container in bar area, used for storing chemicals, cleaners taken from bulk supplies, was not marked with the common name of the chemical. Corrected.
On January 22, 2025, Blue Marsh Restaurant & Pizzeria, located at 5027 Bernville Rd, Bernville, PA 19506, was inspected and found with the following violations: Observed several cases of food stored directly on the floor in the walk-in freezer, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Fryer basket observed with a broken wire, which is not smooth and easily cleanable. Corrected. Chlorine chemical sanitizer residual detected in the final sanitizer rinse cycle of the low temperature sanitizing dishwasher was 0 ppm, and not 50-100 ppm as required. Food facility is reusing small black souffle cups as utensils in the sugar and salt bulk bins, which are intended to be a single-service or single-use article. Corrected. Food facility has an employee who held a Certified Food Manager certificate; however, the certificate has expired j0n 1/3/2025 and is no longer valid. Three spray bottles in the kitchen and bar area, used for storing chemicals, cleaners taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical. Corrected.
On January 22, 2025, American Legion Post 626, located at 445 E Main St, Birdsboro, PA 19508, was inspected and found with the following violation: Working container (spray bottle) in the bar area, used for storing chemicals, cleaners taken from bulk supplies, was not marked with the common name of the chemical. Corrected.
On January 22, 2025, Alfredo’s Pizza, located at 846 Main St, Bally, PA 19503, was inspected and found with the following violations: Observed food being stored on the ground throughout the facility. Observed wooden cutting boards being used in the prep area.
On January 23, 2025, Ideal Food Basket, located at 733 Lancaster Ave, Reading, PA 19607, was inspected and found with the following violations: Potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours, located in the freezer, is not being date marked. The frequency of the raw meat cutting boards are not being cleaned frequently enough.
On January 23, 2025, Brendaly & Estefania Grocery, located at 1201 N 10th Street, Reading, PA 19604, was inspected and found with the following violation: Secure loose toilet and sink faucet.
On January 24, 2025, D Karina Deli & Grocery, located at 341 S 11th Street, Reading, PA 19602, was inspected and found with the following violations: Install “hand wash only” sign at hand washing sink. Properly clean hood system by licensed professional. Secure loose toilet. No sign or poster posted at the handwash sink in the * area to remind food employees to wash their hands.
Several other restaurants were inspected during this time period with no violations reported: Vision Bar & Lounge in Reading, Slovak Catholic Sokols in Reading, Lookout Bar & Grill in Reading, Wyo West Fitness in Wyomissing, Rite Aid #3400 in Womelsdorf, Pagoda City Pizza and Subs in Reading, One Stop Beverage in Wyomissing, Turkey Hill #308 in Birdsboro, Dunkin Donuts #357079 in Fleetwood, Dollar General #15584 in Birdsboro, Xoloitzcuintle Mexican Restaurant in Reading, Sunoco 40115H in Bechtelsville, Little italia Pizzeria in Wyomissing.