WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County health inspectors cited four food establishments on Aug. 14 for violations ranging from improper food temperatures and sanitation problems to continuing cockroach activity at a West Chester restaurant undergoing follow-up inspections, according to county inspection reports.
La Rancherita Mexican Taqueria, 323 E. Gay St., D1, West Chester, was cited during a follow-up inspection after inspectors observed evidence of juvenile and adult cockroach activity in the kitchen and food preparation areas.
The operator had provided the Chester County Health Department with information concerning pest-control treatment performed Aug. 12 and was scheduled for another treatment the evening of Aug. 14, according to the report.
Inspectors directed the restaurant to maintain dated glue boards throughout the facility and submit pest-control reports to the department. The restaurant was also ordered to immediately clean kitchen and food-preparation surfaces and equipment, remove cardboard and unnecessary equipment, and seal or replace an access panel beneath the three-compartment sink.
Additional violations included cleaning deficiencies involving refrigeration gaskets, a steam-table area and a dish rack. Inspectors also directed the establishment to replace or modify dark-painted walls and ceiling materials with light-colored, smooth and easily cleanable surfaces.
The Aug. 14 visit followed an inspection one day earlier in which county inspectors reported evidence of “multi-generational cockroach activity” at La Rancherita. The county’s inspection reports represent conditions observed at the time of each visit and are not necessarily indicative of an establishment’s long-term sanitation or food-safety status.
Vecchia, 249 Bridge St., Phoenixville, received multiple citations, including temperature-control violations involving several containers of food held between 43 and 57 degrees instead of the required 41 degrees or below. The affected food was voluntarily discarded during the inspection.
Inspectors also reported that a Coca-Cola reach-in cooler, bain-marie and pizza bain-marie were not maintaining required cold-holding temperatures. The restaurant removed time- and temperature-controlled foods from the equipment and established ice baths pending service of the units.
Other findings at Vecchia included mold-like debris in an ice machine at the wait station, a lack of soap at a ware-washing-area hand sink, uncovered employee beverages and food handlers without proper hair restraints.
The inspector also observed an employee brushing her hair at the wait station and another food handler using a phone while preparing food. Management was advised about proper hygiene, and personal items were to be stored away from food-preparation areas.
Additional citations involved utensils stored in water below the required 135 degrees, an unscreened kitchen window near a food-preparation area, improperly stored wiping cloths, an unlabeled chemical spray bottle and cleaning and maintenance issues.
The county report stated that the person in charge at Vecchia did not demonstrate adequate food-safety knowledge, citing the establishment’s noncompliant inspection.
Stolen Sun Brewing Company, 342 N. Pottstown Pike, Exton, was cited after inspectors found food held at 55 degrees in a cook-line preparation unit rather than at 41 degrees or below. The food was discarded, and the establishment was directed to repair or adjust the unit.
Inspectors also found food residue on a deli slicer and directed the establishment to clean and sanitize it. Raw eggs were stored above ready-to-eat foods in a cooler and were ordered relocated to prevent potential cross-contamination.
Other findings included clean food equipment stored near a mop sink, an ice bucket stored on a surface that could not be easily cleaned and sanitized, and several non-food-contact surfaces requiring cleaning.
A freezer at the cook line was in disrepair but contained no food at the time of inspection. The establishment’s Chester County Health Department Certified Food Manager certificate had also expired, although the county noted an employee had completed an approved training class and still needed to apply for county certification.
At Giant Food Store #6471/North Coventry, 86 Glocker Way, Pottstown, inspectors found Bavarian creme labeled “Refrigerate After Opening” being stored at room temperature. The store was instructed to keep it at 41 degrees or below unless the manufacturer confirms refrigeration is required only for product quality rather than food safety.
The Giant inspection also identified a broken condenser drain line in the meat walk-in cooler. Inspectors directed the store not to place food beneath the leaking condenser until repairs were completed.
Cold water was unavailable at the produce preparation room’s handwashing sink, while water at the produce three-bay sink measured 78 degrees rather than the minimum 110 degrees required for ware washing. Dishes were to be washed at the bakery or deli three-bay sink until the produce-area water supply was repaired.
Inspectors additionally ordered cleaning of several deli surfaces and found an insect-control device positioned in the bakery where it could potentially contaminate food. Food was moved away from the device.
Nine other establishments were listed as in compliance on Aug. 14:
- 1365 Cafe Brock @ CTDI in West Chester;
- Bentley Systems Cafe by Eurest Dining Services in Exton;
- Wendy’s #11228/Uwchlan in Exton;
- Boscov’s Department Store Inc. – 227 in Pottstown;
- C&L Premier Catering in Phoenixville;
- Keepin’ It Simple Catering in Phoenixville;
- Green Meadows Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Food in Malvern;
- Paoli Beverage in Paoli; and
- Starbucks Coffee Shop #15627/Tredyffrin in Devon.
The Chester County Health Department cautions that inspections provide a snapshot of conditions at a facility on a particular date and time and may not represent its overall or long-term food-safety record.
Residents who observe potentially 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 department at 610-344-6225.
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