WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County health inspectors identified food temperature violations, refrigeration failures, and sanitation problems at nine food establishments during inspections conducted on October 13, 2026, including five businesses along East Lancaster Avenue in Downingtown cited for unsanitary outdoor waste storage conditions.
The Chester County Health Department documented violations at Amore Pizza and Carlino’s Specialty Foods in West Chester, LongHorn Steakhouse near Pottstown, and five Downingtown establishments inspected in response to complaints.
The most significant findings involved improper refrigeration temperatures, inadequate hot water for dishwashing, and food storage conditions that required corrective action.
At Amore Pizza, inspectors found a dishwashing water temperature of 94 degrees Fahrenheit, below the required 120 degrees, while at Carlino’s, several refrigerated foods were held above the required 41 degrees.
The county also reported 13 establishments in compliance during inspections conducted that day.
Amore Pizza of West Chester
At Amore Pizza of West Chester, 316 S. High Street, inspectors documented multiple food safety and equipment maintenance violations.
Marinara sauce was measured at 51 degrees in a two-door refrigerator, exceeding the required maximum of 41 degrees for temperature-controlled foods.
Employees transferred the affected foods to a walk-in refrigerator, and inspectors directed the business not to use the malfunctioning unit until repairs restore proper refrigeration. The correction deadline was seven days.
Inspectors also found that a walk-in freezer condenser was leaking water that froze into piles of ice on food, shelving, and the floor.
The business was ordered to repair the condenser within 14 days, along with addressing a nonfunctioning two-door freezer and replacing rusted shelving near a preparation table.
The facility’s hot water heater was unable to supply the dishwasher with water at the required temperature. Inspectors ordered the water heater repaired or replaced within 48 hours.
Additional violations included missing date labels on refrigerated ready-to-eat foods, improperly labeled food containers, an unclean panini grill, and missing sanitizer test kits.
Food container labeling was corrected during the inspection. The business was also directed to restore a handwashing paper towel dispenser and remove an absorbent towel covering dish-drying shelves.
Carlino’s Specialty Foods and Catering
Carlino’s Specialty Foods and Catering, 128 W. Market Street in West Chester, was cited for improper food temperatures, refrigeration problems, and sanitation deficiencies.
Inspectors found numerous prepared foods in a deli display case measuring between 47 and 56 degrees, above the required maximum of 41 degrees.
The foods had not been sufficiently cooled before being placed in the display case. Employees removed them for cooling in a blast chiller.
The county identified the issue as a repeat violation.
A bakery walk-in cooler was also operating at 44 to 45 degrees. Inspectors directed the facility not to store temperature-controlled foods in the unit until repairs were completed.
Tomato pie was being held at room temperature without documentation establishing that it could safely be stored without refrigeration. Inspectors directed the business to refrigerate the product until supporting testing was submitted.
A refrigerator in the basement was leaking water from an interior fan unit. Inspectors ordered repairs and directed employees to keep food covered.
Other findings included missing date labels on deli meats and prepared foods, improper food dispensing utensils, an empty handwashing paper towel dispenser, and an employee cellphone on a food preparation table.
Several issues were addressed during the inspection, including date labeling, supplying paper towels, and removing the cellphone.
Inspectors also ordered cleaning of kitchen equipment, vents, and wall surfaces, along with replacement of missing ceiling tiles.
LongHorn Steakhouse
At LongHorn Steakhouse, 1110 Towne Square Road near Pottstown, inspectors found cheeses stored in a salad preparation unit at temperatures ranging from 46 to 51 degrees.
The required maximum temperature was 41 degrees.
Inspectors reported that a cheese container obstructed airflow within the refrigeration unit. Employees discarded the affected cheeses and restored airflow, but the unit subsequently reached only 52 degrees.
The restaurant was directed to use alternative refrigeration until the equipment was repaired.
Inspectors also identified improperly positioned labels on squeeze bottles and dusty ceiling vents requiring cleaning within three days.
Five Downingtown Businesses Cited Over Waste Storage
Five businesses along East Lancaster Avenue in Downingtown received the same sanitation violation following complaint inspections.
Inspectors described the outdoor waste handling units and storage areas as “extremely dirty, sticky” and presenting conditions that could attract insects and rodents.
The affected establishments were:
- Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, 1086 E. Lancaster Avenue.
- CAVA Mezze Grill, 1090 E. Lancaster Avenue.
- Five Guys, 1082 Lancaster Avenue.
- Kung Fu Tea, 1088 E. Lancaster Avenue, Unit E.
- Starbucks Coffee Co. #84390, 1084 Lancaster Avenue.
Each business was directed to clean its outdoor waste storage area and maintain sanitary conditions.
The reports did not document pest infestations at these establishments. The violations concerned conditions that could attract pests.
Establishments Found in Compliance
The Chester County Health Department also listed the following 13 establishments as in compliance during inspections on October 13:
- Aramark at Bryn Mawr Rehab (Food), 414 Paoli Pike, Malvern.
- Arianna’s Gourmet Café, 323 E. Gay Street, West Chester.
- Casa Italia Pizza Ristorante, 1876 New London Road, Lincoln University.
- Catering by Occasion at New Bolton Center, 382 W. Street Road, Kennett Square.
- Chadds Ford Elementary School (Food), 3 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford.
- Coventry Church, 946 Keen Road, Pottstown.
- Episcopal Church of the Trinity, 323 E. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville.
- Kung Fu Tea, 238 Bridge Street, Phoenixville.
- Pigeon Creek Farm Store, 554 Pigeon Creek Road, Pottstown.
- Shinko Japanese, 148 W. State Street, Kennett Square.
- Spring City Diner Inc., doing business as Spring-Ford Diner, 55 E. Bridge Street, Spring City.
- The Pear, 275 Brinton’s Bridge Road, West Chester.
- West Chester Pizza Cafe LLC, 701 W. Nields Street, West Chester.
Inspection Findings and Public Reporting
The Chester County Health Department cautions that inspection results reflect conditions observed at a particular time and may not represent an establishment’s overall sanitation history.
Some violations were corrected during the October 13 inspections, while others carried deadlines ranging from 24 hours to 14 days.
The inspection reports do not establish whether corrections requiring follow-up had been completed.
Residents who observe potentially unsafe food handling or unsanitary conditions can submit a confidential environmental health complaint at https://www.chesco.org/5843.
Anyone who becomes ill after eating at a food establishment should instead contact the Chester County Health Department at 610-344-6225.
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