WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County health inspectors cited restaurants and other food facilities for improper food temperatures, cross-contamination risks, sanitation deficiencies and pest-related concerns during inspections conducted Sept. 21, while seven other establishments were listed in compliance.
Among the inspections, Damas Mediterranean Grill at 260 N. Pottstown Pike in Exton was cited after stuffed grape leaves were found at 53 degrees rather than the required 41 degrees or below for cold holding. The person in charge indicated the grape leaves would be refrigerated.
Inspectors also found raw chicken and beef stored above ready-to-eat foods in the restaurant’s walk-in cooler. The meats were moved during the inspection.
Other findings at Damas included dented cans intended for use, wet wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer, damaged spatulas, rusted shelving, reused single-use food containers, and unavailable or damaged sanitizer test strips. Inspectors also directed the restaurant to replace a damaged rice cooker and repair the walk-in cooler floor.
Chemicals and repair materials were found improperly stored near food-service items, including super glue and tools on the same shelf as takeout containers. Those materials were relocated during the inspection.
At Gemelli Artisanal Gelato & Dessert Cafe, 12 W. Market St. in West Chester, inspectors again found raw eggs stored above ready-to-eat mascarpone in a kitchen refrigerator, creating a potential cross-contamination risk. The issue was corrected on-site.
Inspectors also found pistachio butter being prepared in a basement storage area without a handwashing sink. The equipment was relocated to the main kitchen and preparation area.
Other Gemelli findings involved food and supplies stored on the floor, chemicals positioned near takeout containers and food-preparation equipment, date marking for mousses and the need for lidded trash receptacles in both restrooms. Several issues were corrected during the inspection.
New Haven Pizza, 18 N. Church St. in West Chester, was cited over its process for partially cooking and cooling chicken wings. Inspectors found temperatures were not being taken during cooling and that wings were being bagged before reaching 41 degrees or below.
The restaurant was directed to cool the wings uncovered on trays in the walk-in cooler, bringing them from 135 degrees to 70 degrees within two hours and then to 41 degrees within another four hours before bagging them.
Inspectors also found meatballs and cheese sauce below the required 135-degree hot-holding temperature. Additional findings involved date marking, unlabeled squeeze bottles, and the need for at least two stem thermometers.
At Philly Pretzel Factory/West Goshen, 1075 West Chester Pike in West Chester, pretzel dogs were found at 105 degrees rather than the required 135 degrees or above. Time as a public health control was implemented for food in the case during the inspection.
The facility was also cited after inspectors observed employees not washing their hands when required, including between handling money or credit cards and putting on gloves. Other findings involved missing sanitizer test strips, labeling of prepackaged dips, employee belongings, and cleaning and maintenance issues.
A follow-up inspection at Sitara Indian Cuisine, 630 Lancaster Ave. in Malvern, found a kitchen refrigerator operating at 59 degrees instead of 41 degrees or below. Inspectors directed the restaurant to repair or replace the unit.
The restaurant also lacked sanitizer for its three-compartment sink and chlorine test strips for its mechanical dishwasher. Inspectors found a leaking three-compartment sink and inadequate air gap beneath a preparation sink.
Multiple dead cockroaches were observed in a locked pump mechanism above the mechanical dishwasher. The county directed the facility to clean and sanitize the area or replace the mechanism to help prevent potential pest breeding areas.
Other Sitara findings included oversized pots that could not be properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized in the three-compartment sink, a taped tandoori oven stick, burned-out kitchen lightbulbs, and a jammed paper towel dispenser.
At a follow-up inspection of Smoothie King, 1011 West Chester Pike in West Chester, inspectors reported that fruit fly activity had decreased since the previous visit but remained present in the food-preparation area. The county directed the facility to continue targeted pest-control service and submit reports.
Smoothie King was also directed to clean and sanitize its large ice machine, post its current county license and original Certified Food Manager certificate, and address employee practices involving artificial fingernails or nail polish and hand or wrist jewelry.
A follow-up at Saxbys Coffee, 701 S. High St. in West Chester, identified repeat cleaning violations involving ceilings, air vents, walls, and floors in the back preparation area, along with flooring inside front-counter sink and ice-bin cabinets.
The following establishments were listed in compliance:
- Cafe Services @ Comcast West Chester, 1354 Boot Road, West Chester
- Giant Food Store #6477/East Whiteland, 225 W. Lancaster Ave., Frazer
- PTLL LLC T/A Jitters, 146 W. Gay St., West Chester
- St. Elizabeth Parish School, 120 St. Elizabeth Drive, Chester Springs
- St. Elizabeth RC Church, 120 St. Elizabeth Drive, Chester Springs
- Sunoco/Westtown, 1014 Wilmington Pike, West Chester
- The Bakery House, 35 W. Lancaster Ave., Paoli
The Chester County Health Department cautions that inspections represent conditions at a specific date and time and may not reflect an establishment’s long-term sanitation or food-safety status.
Residents who observe unsanitary conditions can submit an 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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