DOWNINGTOWN, PA — Chester County health inspectors found live and dead cockroaches and multiple food-safety violations at Hibachi of Downingtown on Tuesday, prompting the disposal of food and restrictions on equipment use as the restaurant was directed to continue pest-control measures.
The Chester County Health Department cited the restaurant at 985 E. Lancaster Ave. for violations involving pest activity, employee handwashing, food handling, sanitation and equipment during a Sept. 1 inspection.
Inspectors observed three dead and two live cockroaches in the kitchen, according to the county inspection report. Two live cockroaches were found between the doors of a three-door refrigerated prep unit, leading the person in charge to discard all open food containers stored there.
The county directed the restaurant to discontinue use of the cooler until no pest activity is observed. A certified pest-control operator must service the facility every two weeks, with reports submitted to the Health Department after each visit.
Inspectors also observed an employee handle raw beef and then touch a takeout container and utensils without properly washing hands between tasks. The container was discarded, the utensils were sent for cleaning and the employee subsequently removed gloves, washed hands and put on new gloves, according to the report.
Tilapia and tuna were discarded after inspectors found fish had thawed overnight while still in reduced-oxygen or vacuum packaging. The county requires such packaging to be opened before thawing to allow oxygen to enter.
Sanitizer concentrations were also outside required levels in two locations. Chlorine solution at the bar’s three-bay warewashing sink measured 10 parts per million, below the required 50 to 100 ppm, while a sanitizer bucket registered above 500 ppm. Both solutions were remade and tested at 50 ppm during the inspection.
Other violations included a food-residue-covered knife, improper storage of utensils and ice scoops, wiping cloth practices, use of a handwashing sink for food preparation and insufficient cleaning of equipment and surfaces. Inspectors also ordered the removal of a noncommercial toaster oven from the sushi area within one week.
The Hibachi inspection was among several conducted by the Chester County Health Department on Sept. 1.
At Presto Pizza, 739 W. Cypress St. in Kennett Square, inspectors found a back-room Pepsi cooler at 51 degrees, with temperature-controlled foods measuring between 48 and 50 degrees. All affected foods were discarded.
The cooler violation was a repeat finding, according to the county. Inspectors directed the restaurant to replace the unit with a commercial refrigerator designed for storing temperature-controlled foods.
Presto Pizza was also cited for repeat date-marking violations involving pasta and opened lunch meats. Inspectors additionally identified improper cooling of partially cooked chicken, dishwashing procedures and other food-storage issues. The facility was given 60 days to have at least one employee obtain required food-manager certification after an existing certificate expired.
A follow-up inspection at Square Bar, 250 E. Chestnut St. in West Chester, found ready-to-eat foods kept beyond the permitted seven-day date-marking period. Guinness onions dated Aug. 21 and sauerkraut dated Aug. 22 were voluntarily discarded, correcting the violation on-site.
Inspectors also found sanitizer at the bar’s three-compartment sink below the required concentration. It was adjusted during the inspection. Additional findings included cleaning and maintenance issues and the absence of a required utility or mop sink.
At Starbucks Coffee #22487, 503 Commons Drive in Oxford, inspectors found standing dark, coffee-like liquid in a floor drain beneath a bar sink. The person in charge reported that the drain had been bypassed because of a clog, and the county directed the location to initiate a repair request.
Eight other facilities inspected Sept. 1 were listed as in compliance:
- Aramark at Greystone Elementary School in West Chester;
- Building Blocks Learning & Child Development Center in Malvern;
- Dia Doce, El Taco Loco Commissary at Restaurante Morelos in West Chester;
- Saloon 151 in West Chester;
- Las Toluquenas Express n Kennett Square;
- Opus in Kennett Square; and
- The Camphill School – Beaver Farm in Phoenixville.
The Health Department cautions that inspections represent conditions observed at a particular date and time and may not reflect a facility’s long-term sanitation or food-safety status.
Residents can submit environmental health complaints 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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