WEST CHESTER, PA — The Chester County Health Department reported food safety and sanitation violations at eight Chester County food facilities following inspections conducted Thursday, February 26, including restaurants in West Chester, Malvern, Frazer and Coatesville and a school early learning center in Landenberg.
The department noted that an inspection is a “snapshot” of conditions at the time of the visit and may not reflect an establishment’s long-term sanitation and food safety status. The state’s food safety portal also notes that violations are often corrected on site before an inspector leaves.
According to the inspection summaries provided, the following establishments were listed as “Out of Compliance” on February 26 under the Chester County Health Department’s jurisdiction: Avon Grove Charter School Early Learning Center @ Kemblesville (Landenberg), Dawn’s Baked Goods Inc. t/a Bagel Bistro (West Chester), Jimmy’s BBQ (Frazer), Joey Chops (Malvern), Lincoln Diner / Valley (Coatesville), Lorenzo & Sons Pizza (West Chester), Nudy’s Westside Cafe / East Whiteland (Malvern) and The Stone Tavern (New Owner) (West Chester).
At Avon Grove Charter School Early Learning Center @ Kemblesville, 1769 New London Road, Landenberg, inspectors cited three violations. The handwash sink across from the three-bay sink did not initially have water at at least 85 degrees; the temperature was adjusted during the inspection and observed at 102 degrees. Inspectors also reported the mechanical drain plugs were not working in the wash and rinse compartments of the three-bay sink, and the sanitize compartment was draining very slowly, requiring repairs.
At Dawn’s Baked Goods Inc. t/a Bagel Bistro, 1502 West Chester Pike, West Chester, inspectors cited 13 violations. Among them, the inspection report said unnecessary items needed to be removed from the bagel prep table and opened dry ingredient bags must be tightly closed after each use or placed in lidded containers. Inspectors reported wiping cloths in the front food preparation and beverage areas were in “extremely unclean condition” and were removed on site, with staff directed to maintain wet wiping cloths in sanitizer solution.
The report also cited ice accumulation in the walk-in freezer, chipped or cracked containers in the bain marie units, and a lack of date marking for foods prepared in the facility and stored in bain maries on the cook line, including coleslaw. The date-marking issue was corrected during the inspection, and staff were directed to maintain foods as date marked and labeled.
Inspectors required an overall cleaning that included door guides of refrigerators and freezers, cabinets and shelving throughout, ledges inside bain maries, menu boards, outer surfaces of cooking equipment, filters and canopy of the cooking exhaust hood, and the employee toilet room. Additional items included removing unused equipment, organizing the back storage and prep area, repairing leaking faucet handles at the prep sink, adding a light shield in the prep area, replacing a light in the cooking exhaust hood, and cleaning floors, walls and ceilings throughout kitchen and prep areas, including under cooking equipment. Medications and personal items were also reported stored on a prep table in the bagel preparation area and were ordered to be relocated immediately.
At Jimmy’s BBQ, 309 Lancaster Avenue, Frazer, inspectors cited five violations during a follow-up inspection. The report stated hot water was unavailable at the hand sinks in the men’s and women’s restrooms, and the person in charge said a plumber was scheduled for repair. Inspectors also reported fish thawing in reduced oxygen or vacuum packaging, which the report said must be opened before thawing; the fish was discarded during the inspection. The follow-up also cited a door on an “Alto-Shaam” hot warmer cabinet that was not tight fitting, with the person in charge reporting a part had been ordered.
Cleaning items included baked bean splatter on the ceiling of the walk-in refrigerator, which staff cleaned during the inspection, as well as mold or dust buildup on fan covers and food debris buildup on the floor below racks. Inspectors also cited a gap below the back door that could allow pest entry, requiring a door sweep “immediately.”
At Joey Chops, 245 Lancaster Avenue, Malvern, inspectors cited six violations, including multiple temperature-control issues. The report said butter mixed with cooked shallots was stored at room temperature below the broiler and was discarded. Blue cheese-stuffed olives were also reported at room temperature and were removed. Inspectors reported filet mignon steaks held out of temperature in a prep-top cooler along the cook line at 45 to 55 degrees rather than 41 or below; the steaks were discarded, and the report suggested heat from a heat lamp may have affected cooler temperatures. Inspectors directed the facility to maintain a lid on the unit to help keep temperatures within required limits.
The report also cited buildup of biofilm on the ice chute of a large ice machine in the back kitchen, along with dried food on a potato wedge slicer’s slicing portion; that item was cleaned and sanitized during the inspection. Inspectors reported reduced tomato stew was beyond the one-week date-marking guideline and was discarded. Cups used as scoops in dry food containers were removed and replaced with handled scoops, and a grooved cutting board on the cook line was cited for replacement. Inspectors also cited dust buildup on fan covers of the walk-in refrigerator and directed that they be cleaned immediately.
At Lincoln Diner / Valley, 1202 W. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville, inspectors cited three violations during a complaint inspection. The report required the facility to clean the floor throughout the kitchen, including under equipment, and to clean the sides of cooking equipment and tables and shelves below equipment, with both items listed for immediate correction. Inspectors also reported several cockroaches on glue traps in the kitchen area and directed that pest control services increase to bi-weekly until cockroaches are eradicated, with the facility told to contact pest control immediately.
The state portal list included three additional establishments with violations on February 26, and the inspection summaries provided included details for each.
At Lorenzo & Sons Pizza, 27 N. High St., West Chester, inspectors cited six violations. The report said an ice machine above a soda dispenser had residue and was not clean to sight and touch, requiring washing, rinsing and sanitizing. Inspectors reported quaternary ammonium concentration in the sanitizing solution of the three-bay ware-wash sink was 150 parts per million rather than the required 200 to 400 parts per million, and directed the facility to repair the sanitizer dispenser and manually mix sanitizer to the required concentration until repaired.
The report also cited sausages covered tightly with plastic wrap as an improper cooling method and required the facility to clean several areas including tile by a basement exterior door, the top of the pizza oven, a large fan by the pizza ovens and the employee toilet room vent. Inspectors reported water at a basement hand sink was not turned on at the start of the inspection; staff turned it on and said it is turned off nightly to prevent dripping, and inspectors directed that water be turned on during operating hours. The report also said a handwash sink in the front service area was blocked by a refrigerator and not accessible, requiring the facility to relocate the refrigerator or remove splash guards so the sink can be accessed from the side.
At Nudy’s Westside Cafe / East Whiteland, 309 Lancaster Ave., Unit D-1, Malvern, inspectors cited eight violations. The report required the facility to clean grease and food debris buildup from under the flat-top grill. Inspectors cited sliced deli meats in the walk-in refrigerator without date marks and directed staff to follow one-week date-marking procedures. The report also cited salmon thawed in vacuum packaging, with the salmon discarded during the inspection.
Inspectors reported multiple temperature-controlled items in a left hot holding unit at 80 degrees rather than 135 or above; the unit was not operating, was turned back on, and the food was replaced and reheated properly before being placed back in the hot holder, according to the report. The inspection also cited cardboard lining a shelf above the flat-top grill, noting it is not cleanable, and directed the facility to use a smooth, non-absorbent, easily cleanable liner instead.
Inspectors reported the three-compartment sink was set up incorrectly, with “Wash” in the middle compartment, and directed the proper setup as wash, then rinse, then sanitize. A spoon was also reported in the hand sink, with staff directed to keep hand sinks clear at all times. The report cited a heavy leak from the right compartment drain of the three-compartment sink and directed the facility to repair it immediately.
At The Stone Tavern (New Owner), 1227 West Chester Pike, West Chester, inspectors cited seven violations. The report required removal of soiled rags and sponges from food service areas and directed that cloths used for wiping food contact surfaces be stored in sanitizer solution. Inspectors required cleaning and sanitizing of a large ice machine and black liners for glassware in the bar.
The report also cited raw tuna filets being thawed in reduced oxygen or vacuum packaging and directed that packages be opened before thawing, with staff training required. Inspectors cited the need to clean wire shelving in a walk-in refrigerator. The inspection also required hood system cleaning and a dated cleaning sticker posted on the canopy for verification, along with cleaning exterior exhaust components and the surrounding exterior area below the exhaust.
Inspectors reported a broken cold water faucet handle on a bar handwash sink that needed repair. The report also cited the absence of a Chester County Certified Food Manager and directed the facility to complete the county application process using a valid ServSafe certificate and post the CCHD certificate in public view.
The Chester County Health Department states that inspection reports are intended to inform residents about the health and safety status of licensed food facilities, including restaurants, bars, grocery stores, convenience stores, school cafeterias and most facilities that dispense food to the public.
Residents who witness unsanitary conditions or believe an issue requires investigation can submit an Environmental Health Complaint at https://www.chesco.org/5843, according to the department. Complaints are investigated and kept confidential. People who became sick after eating at a food establishment are asked to call 610-344-6225 instead of using the complaint form.
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