WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County health inspectors identified food safety violations at six establishments on Thursday, October 15, including improper refrigeration, contaminated food-contact surfaces and inadequate sanitation, while nine other facilities were found in compliance with county health requirements.
The Chester County Health Department’s inspection reports documented violations at restaurants in Coatesville, West Chester, Devon and Avondale, as well as a school food service operation in Phoenixville.
Several inspections resulted in food being discarded, equipment being taken out of service, or corrective measures being completed while inspectors were present.
Pho Wayne — 180 W. Swedesford Road, Devon
Inspectors documented 20 violations at Pho Wayne, including improper food storage, refrigeration problems, dirty equipment, and chemical handling deficiencies.
Bean sprouts were held at 46 degrees Fahrenheit, exceeding the required maximum of 41 degrees, and were discarded. Raw chicken was stored above ready-to-eat foods in multiple refrigeration units, a condition corrected during the inspection.
A refrigerated preparation unit was operating at 44 to 45 degrees, while inspectors identified food residue on a deli slicer and equipment that had remained soiled overnight.
Additional findings included broken strainers, damaged cutting equipment, expired sanitizer test strips, improperly stored cleaning chemicals, an obstructed handwashing sink, and missing paper towels.
Several items were discarded or corrected during the inspection. Inspectors also directed the restaurant to repair refrigeration equipment, improve cleaning procedures and remove unused equipment.
Gaby’s Pizza — 715 E. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville
Gaby’s Pizza received 15 violations involving food storage, equipment sanitation, employee hygiene, and maintenance.
Inspectors found raw chicken stored above raw pork and raw eggs above precooked food, creating potential cross-contamination risks. The storage arrangement was corrected during the inspection.
An electric slicer contained residue from previous use, while cooked pasta held for more than 24 hours lacked required date markings. Both issues were addressed during the inspection.
Other findings included an employee washing hands at a food preparation sink, unlabeled food containers, reused single-use containers, and a damaged cutting board.
Inspectors also identified a gap beneath a rear door that could allow pests to enter, along with cleaning and structural repairs requiring attention.
Wasabi Chinese & Japanese Restaurant — 686 Downingtown Pike, West Chester
Inspectors cited Wasabi for 13 violations, including improper food cooling, sanitation deficiencies, and misleading menu identification.
Shrimp had not cooled from 135 degrees to 70 degrees within the required two-hour period. Employees reheated the shrimp to 165 degrees and restarted the cooling process.
A garlic-and-oil mixture was held at 65 degrees rather than the required 41 degrees or below and was discarded. Flour used to coat raw shrimp was also discarded after being held at room temperature.
Inspectors found food residue on kitchen utensils and equipment, inadequate dishwasher wash-water temperature, and a blocked handwashing sink.
The report also cited the use of Raid insecticide by an uncertified applicator. The pesticide was discarded during the inspection.
Separately, inspectors directed the restaurant to correct its menu because escolar was identified as white tuna, which the department characterized as misleading to consumers.
Gramm’s Kitchen — 557 E. Gay Street, West Chester
Gramm’s Kitchen received 12 violations, including improper cooling, equipment sanitation, and chemical storage concerns.
Inspectors found cooked scrapple and ham held at 50 degrees after being improperly cooled overnight. The food was voluntarily discarded during the inspection.
Food residue was observed on a slicer, and milkshake blender spindles required cleaning. Inspectors also identified dented canned goods, ice stored directly on a freezer floor, and accumulated ice inside a freezer.
A can of Raid insecticide and a fly strip prompted concerns about pest control products, while handwashing sinks lacked soap or paper towels.
The restaurant was also directed to clarify menu disclosures for raw or undercooked foods and address maintenance issues involving a sump pump and drainage equipment.
Taqueria Moroleon Restaurant — 9173 Gap Newport Pike, Avondale
Inspectors recorded seven violations at Taqueria Moroleon, with refrigeration failures resulting in the disposal of multiple food items.
Chicken prepared for tinga and salsa made the previous day had not cooled to the required 41 degrees. Both were discarded after inspectors found temperatures exceeding 50 degrees.
A refrigerated preparation unit was operating at approximately 50 degrees, and the walk-in cooler was measuring 45 to 47 degrees.
Inspectors directed the restaurant to discard affected temperature-controlled foods and stop using the walk-in cooler for those items until it could maintain safe temperatures.
The bar dishwasher also lacked detectable chlorine sanitizer in its final rinse. Inspectors prohibited its use until repairs restored the required sanitizer concentration.
Fruit flies were observed in both bars, and additional cleaning was required.
Aramark at Manavon Elementary School and PAELC — 1-2 Phantom Way, Phoenixville
Inspectors identified one violation involving improper refrigeration temperatures at the school food service operation.
Cheese, tomato sauce, and deli meat were held between 48 and 58 degrees in a cooler, above the required maximum of 41 degrees.
The affected foods were discarded within four hours of removal from proper refrigeration. A separate walk-in cooler was operating at 38 degrees.
Inspectors directed the operation to reduce the malfunctioning cooler’s temperature or use approved alternative food-holding procedures.
Nine Facilities Found in Compliance
The following establishments were listed as compliant in the October 15 inspection reports:
- Aramark at Schuylkill Elementary School — 290 S. White Horse Road, Phoenixville
- Baked by Jul — 5 Riverside Drive, Spring City
- Cost Plus World Market — 1050 E. Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown
- El Nayarit Mexican Store #2 LLC — 4 S. Third Street, Oxford
- Fat Boyz Grill at Exxon — 851 S. High Street, West Chester
- Grace’s Cafe — 273 Schuylkill Road, Phoenixville
- Honey & Fig — 403 Anderson Street, Coatesville
- Johnson’s Charcuterie Artistry — 506 Pennsgrove Road, Lincoln University
- Neuchatel — 461 Limestone Road, Oxford
The Chester County Health Department cautions that inspection findings represent conditions observed at a particular time and may not reflect an establishment’s long-term food safety practices.
Residents can report suspected unsanitary conditions through the county’s Environmental Health Complaint system at https://www.chesco.org/5843. Complaints are investigated confidentially.
Anyone who becomes ill after eating at a food establishment should instead contact the Health Department at 610-344-6225.
Support the local news that supports Chester County. MyChesCo delivers reliable, fact-based reporting and essential community resources—free for everyone. If you value that, click here to become a patron today.