WEST CHESTER, PA — A Chester County Health Department inspection on Friday cited Alberto’s Café Inc., operating as “Teca R,” at 36–38 East Gay Street in West Chester, for a sweeping list of food safety and sanitation violations, prompting the disposal of multiple food items during the inspection.
Inspectors documented more than a dozen violations tied to improper temperature control, unsafe food handling, sanitation lapses, and employee hygiene practices at the popular borough restaurant.
Among the most serious findings, inspectors observed calamari stored in an under-grill cooler at 55 degrees Fahrenheit, well above the required 41 degrees or below needed to slow bacterial growth. The seafood was discarded on site. Additional calamari was found thawing in standing water at room temperature, an unapproved method that inspectors warned can accelerate pathogen growth.
The report also cited multiple cross-contamination risks. Raw meats were stored above ready-to-eat foods in a walk-in refrigerator, and several deli meats were left uncovered in a two-door refrigerator. Inspectors instructed staff to immediately reorganize storage based on required internal cooking temperatures and to properly cover exposed foods.
Temperature control issues extended to cooked foods as well. Cheesesteak meat and fried onions were observed cooling at room temperature between 100 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit, well within the danger zone for bacterial growth. Those items were also discarded. Inspectors noted that cooked foods must be rapidly cooled in refrigeration or an ice bath to reach safe holding temperatures within six hours.
Sanitation problems were identified throughout the kitchen and bar areas. Inspectors reported wet wiping cloths left out without sanitizer, biofilm residue inside the kitchen ice machine near the ice chute, and biofilm buildup on soda gun nozzles at the main bar. In the basement walk-in cooler, inspectors cited food debris under storage racks and mold accumulation on walls, ceilings, and hoses above keg lines.
Improper warewashing procedures were also documented. A three-compartment sink at the bar was being used as both a dump sink and for dishwashing, with dishes sanitized incorrectly. Inspectors instructed the facility to follow the required wash-rinse-sanitize-air dry process and to designate a separate sink for dumping liquids.
Employee hygiene violations were also noted. Hand sinks at the bar were obstructed with dishes and utensils, and required handwashing reminder signs were missing. Inspectors ordered the sinks to be cleared immediately and signage installed.
Health department officials remind the public that inspections represent conditions observed at the time of the visit and may not reflect an establishment’s long-term compliance history. Residents who observe unsanitary conditions or believe a food safety issue requires investigation are encouraged to submit a confidential environmental health complaint. Anyone who becomes ill after eating at a food establishment is advised to contact the Chester County Health Department directly at 610-344-6225.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.