CHESTER COUNTY, PA — A series of food safety inspections conducted on December 3, 2025, uncovered a wide range of sanitation, equipment, and temperature-control violations at restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores, and other food establishments across Chester County. The inspection reports, released by the Chester County Health Department, offer a candid snapshot of conditions inside multiple kitchens — and, in some cases, expose serious risks that must be corrected swiftly.
County officials noted that inspections represent only a moment-in-time assessment but urged residents to report unsanitary conditions through the county’s Environmental Health Complaint system. Anyone who becomes ill after dining out is advised to contact the health department directly at 610-344-6225.
At Bloom Southern Kitchen in Chester Springs, inspectors cited more than a dozen violations, including an ice scoop stored improperly in a bucket without a lid, a knife kept between kitchen equipment where it could not be adequately sanitized, and a bar refrigerator measuring 51 degrees — well above the required 41 degrees. The facility was also warned about missing time markings on chicken breading, menu disclosure issues for undercooked foods, taped equipment lids needing replacement, re-use of single-use containers, and damaged flooring and lighting in an upstairs washroom. Additional concerns included inadequate hot water pressure, leaking faucets, and dirty ceiling tiles.
Fresh Meat Products in Exton also drew multiple violations. Inspectors ordered the removal of non-approved items such as a folding table and a painted wooden board, both considered uncleanable. The business lacked required sanitizer test kits, needed to defrost and clean chest freezers, and had a leaking kitchen sink faucet. Paper towel holders and toilet paper dispensers were missing, and staff had failed to properly store mops. The facility’s ServSafe-certified manager was also missing the mandated Chester County Food Manager certification.
At the Giant Food Store on Downingtown Pike in West Chester, violations ranged from loose gaskets and excessive ice buildup in freezer units to a malfunctioning three-bay sink dispenser. Sanitizing solutions in the deli failed to meet required concentration levels, and floor drains showed food and grime accumulation. Mechanical warewashing equipment did not reach required sanitizing temperatures, forcing staff to switch temporarily to manual washing. Leaks were found in multiple plumbing fixtures, and inspectors noted stained ceiling tiles and missing grout near cooking areas.
In Kennett Square, Ji-In Korean Eatery was cited for failing to label sauce containers, maintaining a refrigerator at unsafe temperatures, and allowing grease and food debris to accumulate under cooking equipment. Staff relocated temperature-controlled foods to a functioning refrigerator during the inspection.
At Nothing Bundt Cakes in Exton, inspectors found non-food-contact surfaces coated in dirt and debris. Ceiling tiles and equipment racks required cleaning, and the employee restroom sink failed to reach the minimum temperature of 85 degrees. A gap between the three-compartment sink and the wall also needed to be sealed.
The Village Bowl Restaurant in Coatesville faced numerous concerns, including improperly dated meats, missing thermometers, inadequate sanitizing solution levels, and wastewater issues stemming from a slow-draining grease trap. Inspectors also cited missing paper towels at handwashing stations, employee food stored alongside customer food, and outdated equipment in need of removal.
At Wendy’s in Thorndale, the violations centered on temperature control failures. Cheese sauce was not heated to the required 135 degrees before placement in a steam table, sliced cheese was held at an unsafe 51 degrees, and multiple ready-to-eat items lacked proper date markings. Additional violations included a walk-in cooler door sweep that failed to seal, dirty hood systems, and food-contact equipment stored near mop buckets.
County health officials emphasized that all violations must be corrected within specified timeframes and will be re-evaluated during follow-up inspections.
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