WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County health inspectors found improper handwashing, unsafe food temperatures, cross-contamination risks and sanitizer failures during Sept. 17 inspections, prompting food disposal and immediate corrections at several restaurants while a Kennett Square event venue was told it needs another inspection before opening.
The Chester County Health Department cautions that inspections represent conditions observed at a particular time and may not reflect an establishment’s long-term sanitation or food-safety status.
Avalon Restaurant, 116 E. Gay St., West Chester, underwent a follow-up inspection after earlier violations. Inspectors measured the walk-in refrigerator’s air temperature at 47 degrees.
All time/temperature control for safety, or TCS, food above 45 degrees was discarded, while food at 45 degrees or below was moved to other refrigeration and ordered used first. The restaurant was directed to repair the walk-in refrigerator immediately.
Inspectors also found shellstock tags had not been dated when the last clam or mussel was used, an unlabeled spray bottle containing chlorine bleach, and a continuing plumbing leak beneath the three-compartment sink. The bleach was discarded, while the plumbing repair was ordered completed within seven days.
At Botanica Luz de Arcangeles, 739 W. Cypress St., Suite 12, Kennett Square, inspectors found raw meat being marinated and sealed using reduced-oxygen packaging. The business was told it must either mark packages with the packaging date and time and open them within 48 hours or submit a hazard analysis and critical control point, or HACCP, plan with a $300 fee.
Inspectors also found cabbage stored next to raw chicken, reusable milk or water jugs being used for shake mix, missing date markings on soups, sauces and desserts, and utensils stored where they could become contaminated.
The Classic Diner, 352 Lancaster Ave., Malvern, was cited after its low-temperature dishwasher initially produced a chlorine sanitizer concentration of 0 to 10 parts per million, below the required 50 to 100 ppm. The machine was adjusted during the inspection and subsequently measured at 50 ppm.
Inspectors also found residue on a tabletop can opener blade, an unlabeled chemical spray bottle, a bucket in a handwashing sink, improperly stored mops and a plastic bowl being used as a scoop. Several of those conditions were corrected during the inspection.
The restaurant was additionally directed to clean racks, floors, walls, pipes, bins and other non-food-contact surfaces; repair a damaged refrigerator-door gasket; replace or repair damaged cove-base tiles and outlet covers; and obtain another waste receptacle.
Egawa Gourmet Company, 650 Carnegie Blvd., Malvern, was cited for multiple temperature-control and raw-fish handling violations.
Inspectors measured multiple portions of raw fish in a sushi display case at 50 degrees, compared with the required maximum of 41 degrees. The person in charge discarded the fish and was told not to use the display for temperature-controlled food until it is repaired.
Flour and batter used for shrimp tempura and fried tofu were also being held at room temperature after contact with temperature-controlled ingredients. Those products were discarded and replacement containers placed under refrigeration.
Inspectors found raw fish stored above ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables, creating a potential cross-contamination risk. Fish was also found thawing in reduced-oxygen packaging that had not been opened before thawing; that fish was discarded.
The facility was using reduced-oxygen packaging for prepared sushi-grade fish without documenting or monitoring a secondary food-safety barrier, according to inspectors. A HACCP plan would be required to continue that process, but the person in charge instead removed the vacuum sealer and switched to plastic food-storage bags.
Egawa’s low-temperature dishwasher initially registered no chlorine sanitizer in its final rinse. Debris was removed from the machine’s fill mechanism, restoring the concentration to the required 50 ppm.
Inspectors also measured a sanitizer bucket at 100 ppm quaternary ammonium instead of the required 200 to 400 ppm. The business switched to chlorine solution at the required concentration.
Gentili’s Pizza, 318 E. Lincoln Highway, Exton, received a noncompliant inspection that included handwashing, temperature-control, and sanitation violations.
An employee was observed handling raw meat and then bread without changing gloves and washing hands, while several employees entered from outside and began or resumed food preparation without washing their hands. Inspectors also directed employees to wash their hands and observed two doing so without soap.
Another employee touched a cooked meatball, a ready-to-eat food, with bare hands. The Health Department ordered staff retraining on proper handwashing practices.
Tomato sauce, cheese and garlic in oil were measured between 55 and 67 degrees instead of 41 degrees or below and were discarded. Inspectors identified the temperature problem as a repeat violation.
TCS sauces and condiments at the cook line were also measured at 50 degrees. The restaurant was directed to adjust or relocate them to maintain temperatures at or below 41 degrees.
The kitchen’s only handwashing sink lacked soap when inspectors arrived, though soap was supplied during the inspection. Inspectors also found a sanitizer bucket occupying another handwashing sink.
The person in charge was found not to have adequate food-safety knowledge, according to the inspection report. The owner was directed to designate a certified food manager when the owner is absent, while three kitchen employees were ordered to complete food-handler courses.
Inspectors also found food residue on equipment, improper warewashing practices, two unlabeled chemical bottles, unapproved disinfectant being used for warewashing and sanitizer buckets, and an outside storage unit containing flies that was being used for food equipment. The disinfectant solutions were emptied and replaced with a properly measured chlorine solution.
At Tacos Quetzaly Morelos, 835 W. Cypress St., Kennett Square, tomatoes in a bain-marie were measured at 50 degrees. Food in an upright refrigerator was above 45 degrees because the unit was not properly plugged in, according to inspectors.
The restaurant was ordered to discard all food in that refrigerator and ensure the unit maintains food at 41 degrees or below. Inspectors also found personal and food items filling a handwashing sink and three-bay sink and ordered the hand sink kept clear for handwashing.
Willowdale, 115 E. Street Road, Kennett Square, underwent an opening inspection and must receive a follow-up inspection before opening.
Inspectors found an additional ice maker had been installed in a lower-level closet where the wall still needs a smooth, cleanable finish and a ceiling must be installed above the machine.
A planned permanent upper-level bar had not been installed. Because the proposed mobile bar lacks handwashing and warewashing facilities, the Health Department said it may serve only bottled and canned beverages, with no mixed drinks or scooped ice unless plans for appropriate facilities are submitted.
The venue was also directed to complete work including connecting and sanitizing ice machines, installing thermometers, correcting a dishmachine drain connection, supplying soap and paper towels at handwashing sinks, installing shatterproof bulbs, completing electrical service to restrooms and cleaning and sanitizing surfaces.
Inspectors reported refrigeration below 41 degrees, hot water above 115 degrees, and properly measured sanitizer in the main kitchen. The facility must also complete pest-control service before opening.
The county reported the following establishments in compliance:
- DIA DOCE / CCHD #770, 100 S. High St., West Chester
- Downingtown Friends Meeting, 800 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown
- Five Spuds / CCHD #1571, 635 Hodgson St., Oxford
- Giant Food Store #6471 / North Coventry, 86 Glocker Way, Pottstown
- Hares Hill Elementary School – Food, 723 Hares Hill Road, Phoenixville
- Harrison Senior Living of Coatesville, 300 Strode Ave., Coatesville
- Maru, 2922 Conestoga Road, Glenmoore
- New Directions Childcare Center – Food, 501 E. Miner St., West Chester
- Pablo’s Taqueria @ Matthew’s Pizzeria, 1442 Charlestown Road, Phoenixville
- Papa John’s Pizza (Berwyn), 555 Old Lancaster Road, Berwyn
- Pizza 316, 316 E. Gay St., West Chester
- Vera Pasta, Inc., 319 Westtown Road, Suite K, West Chester
- Wawa #8068 / West Goshen, 1050 West Chester Pike, West Chester
The Health Department said residents who observe 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 call 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.