CHESTER COUNTY, PA — A wave of health inspections conducted Friday by the Chester County Health Department uncovered a wide range of food safety and sanitation violations across restaurants, bars, and retail food outlets, highlighting how quickly routine lapses can put public health at risk.
At Antojitos Ecuatorianos on Lancaster Avenue in Malvern, inspectors cited multiple violations involving temperature control, food storage, and sanitation. Officials observed cooked juice cooling at room temperature at 85 degrees Fahrenheit, raw meat stored above ready-to-eat foods, rice and cooked foods held well below required hot-holding temperatures, and raw meats thawing improperly at room temperature. Inspectors also noted raw eggs left unrefrigerated, in-use utensils held at unsafe temperatures, and a blocked handwashing sink. Several items were discarded on site, and management was instructed to retrain staff on proper food safety practices.
A separate inspection at Dollar General on Baltimore Pike in Nottingham revealed a plumbing issue, with inspectors observing water leaking at the base of a toilet in the women’s restroom. The store was directed to make repairs to maintain sanitary conditions.
In West Chester Borough, Ryan’s Pub on West Gay Street was cited for a series of violations spanning equipment, food handling, and sanitation. Inspectors found cracked and broken food containers in use, cloths used for wiping food-contact surfaces not stored in sanitizer, and ready-to-eat foods lacking required date labels. Additional concerns included improperly thawed vacuum-packed tuna, a bar dishwasher operating without detectable sanitizer, reuse of single-use food containers, and multiple areas requiring cleaning and repair, including ice machines, sinks, walls, floors, and leaking plumbing fixtures.
Sabatino’s Grille on East Boot Road underwent a follow-up inspection and was again found out of compliance. Inspectors cited failures to date mark ready-to-eat foods, improper storage of raw meat above produce, bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat foods, reuse of single-use containers, and multiple handwashing violations, including sinks blocked with items and a lack of soap. Some corrective actions were taken during the inspection, but staff retraining was ordered.
In Kennett Square, Wendy’s on East Baltimore Pike was cited for seven violations, including potatoes stored on broken racks, plumbing leaks at the drive-thru soda unit and mop sink, improper glove use by an employee, ice buildup on a freezer floor, damaged floor tiles, and sliced cheese held above safe cold-holding temperatures. Inspectors also noted problems with date labeling due to a malfunctioning label maker.
Health department officials stressed that inspections represent a snapshot of conditions observed at the time and may not reflect an establishment’s overall long-term compliance. Violations are often corrected during or shortly after inspections, but repeated issues can signal deeper training or maintenance problems.
Residents who observe unsanitary conditions or believe they became ill after eating at a food establishment are encouraged to report concerns to the Chester County Health Department so they can be investigated.
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