WEST CHESTER, PA — Newly released inspection reports from the Chester County Health Department reveal a series of food safety violations at two well-known establishments in Malvern and Paoli, raising fresh questions about kitchen practices and prompting reminders that inspections represent only a snapshot in time.
County officials emphasized that inspection results reflect conditions observed on the specific day and time of the visit and may not fully represent the ongoing sanitation or food-handling practices of any facility. Still, the latest findings detail several concerns at Chickie’s & Pete’s Crab House and Sports Bar in Malvern and the Wendy’s restaurant in Willistown Township.
At Chickie’s & Pete’s, inspectors documented multiple issues ranging from unlabeled sauce bottles to improper cooling and thawing practices. According to the report, sauce squeeze bottles in the kitchen lacked labels, posing a potential allergen risk. Inspectors also found fried onions cooling inside a lidded container within a prep cooler, a method that can trap heat and prevent food from safely dropping to required temperatures.
The report further noted that cheese sauce, though properly reheated, was holding at 110 degrees Fahrenheit—well below the required 135 degrees or above. The sauce containers had been stacked, likely blocking heat circulation. In addition, salmon was observed thawing in its vacuum-sealed packaging, a practice that can facilitate dangerous pathogen growth; the product was discarded during the inspection.
Other violations included grease buildup under the flat-top grill, hand sinks obstructed by kitchen equipment, and an unlabeled chemical spray bottle containing degreaser. Staff addressed several concerns on-site, including relabeling chemicals and reheating food to safe temperatures.
At the Wendy’s on Lancaster Avenue in Paoli, inspectors reported cleanliness and maintenance issues. The large ice machine’s scoop and holder required cleaning, as did a timer situated above the raw beef patty refrigerator. Exhaust hoods also needed cleaning, and damaged caulking along hood canopies required removal and replacement.
The inspection further documented deteriorating grout between quarry floor tiles, which can trap debris and hinder sanitation efforts. Officials advised regrouting in key areas, including near the ice machine and inside the walk-in refrigerator.
The Health Department encourages residents who observe unsanitary conditions to submit a confidential Environmental Health Complaint. Anyone who becomes ill after eating at a food establishment should contact the department directly at 610-344-6225.
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