WEST CHESTER, PA — A sweeping round of health inspections across Chester County on Monday revealed sanitation lapses, temperature control failures, and equipment issues at several well-known food establishments, prompting corrective orders and, in some cases, the immediate disposal of food.
The Chester County Health Department said the inspections, conducted January 5, are intended to provide the public with a snapshot of food safety conditions at licensed facilities, including restaurants, senior living dining operations, and quick-service locations. Officials cautioned that an inspection reflects conditions at a specific moment and may not represent an establishment’s long-term compliance history.
At Burger King #26281 in London Grove Township, inspectors cited extensive cleaning deficiencies, including grease buildup behind the cookline, dirty floor drains, soiled soda dispenser nozzles, and unclean restroom fixtures. Food was also found stored directly on the floor of a walk-in freezer, and the restaurant lacked proper written procedures for using time instead of temperature to control ready-to-eat foods. Plumbing leaks under a food prep sink and loose restroom fixtures were also documented. The location was directed to make repairs, improve sanitation practices, and submit certification paperwork after the departure of its previous certified food manager.
More serious temperature control violations were identified at Freedom Village at Brandywine in Coatesville, where inspectors found multiple refrigeration units operating above the required 41°F threshold. In the memory care dining area, a refrigerator was measured at 43°F, while another unit in the serving kitchen reached 48°F, with internal food temperatures exceeding safe limits. Inspectors ordered potentially hazardous foods discarded on site and barred the use of affected units for temperature-controlled foods until repairs are completed. The department also recommended replacing a residential-grade refrigerator with a commercial unit within three months.
Additional violations at the senior living facility included dusty and unclean non-food contact surfaces, damaged or missing equipment components, inadequate lighting in exhaust hoods, and the absence of a Chester County–certified food manager. Inspectors also found that a high-temperature dishwasher failed to reach the required 160°F sanitizing temperature, forcing the kitchen to switch to manual sanitization or disposable serviceware until repairs are made.
In West Chester Borough, Old Original Nick’s was cited for a dishwasher sanitizer failure after inspectors detected zero parts per million of chlorine in the final rinse cycle, well below the required 50 to 100 ppm. The restaurant was also operating without a certified food manager, a violation county officials ordered corrected through training and certification.
Snap Custom Pizza in West Whiteland Township received multiple violations related to food labeling, date marking, and cold holding temperatures. Inspectors discarded sauces held at 50°F and found house-made items kept beyond approved date-marking limits. Cleaning deficiencies were noted in dry storage and prep areas, and damaged seals at sinks and service tables were ordered repaired.
Health department officials urged residents to report unsanitary conditions or suspected food safety issues through the county’s confidential environmental health complaint system. Anyone who becomes ill after eating at a food establishment is advised to contact the department directly by phone for immediate follow-up.
The department emphasized that all cited facilities are required to correct violations within specified timeframes and are subject to follow-up inspections to verify compliance.
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