CHESTER COUNTY, PA — County health inspectors cited a wide range of food safety and sanitation violations at several Chester County food establishments during inspections conducted on Monday, according to reports released by the Chester County Health Department.
The inspections, which represent a snapshot of conditions observed at the time they were conducted, covered restaurants and bars in Downingtown, Phoenixville, and West Chester. Health officials emphasized that an inspection reflects conditions on a specific day and may not represent an establishment’s long-term compliance history.
At Downingtown Bowling Palace on East Lancaster Avenue, inspectors documented multiple violations, including an ice machine with interior surfaces not clean to sight and touch, improper sanitizer concentration in a three-bay sink, and opened condiments such as mustard and grated parmesan stored at room temperature contrary to label requirements. Inspectors also found employee personal food stored alongside customer food in prep coolers. Some items were corrected on site, including discarding improperly stored foods and adjusting sanitizer levels.
Liberty Union Bar & Grille 2 on Kimberton Road in Phoenixville was cited for a broad range of violations spanning food storage, labeling, equipment maintenance, and facility cleanliness. Inspectors observed raw chicken stored above uncovered ready-to-eat foods, lack of date marking on time/temperature-controlled foods, damaged cooler gaskets, and food stored directly on the floor. Additional issues included mold-like debris on ceiling vents, heavy grease buildup on floors and equipment, chemical containers not labeled, and inadequate handwashing supplies. The report noted that some conditions were corrected during the inspection, while others were given timelines for remediation.
The most extensive list of violations was recorded at Taqueria Los Poblanos LLC on Hannum Avenue in West Chester. Inspectors cited improper food storage and labeling, lack of soap at handwash sinks, employees donning gloves without washing hands, raw meat stored above ready-to-eat foods, and multiple instances of time/temperature abuse. The inspection also found reduced-oxygen-packaged fish thawing improperly, non-food-grade containers in use, inadequate lighting in dry storage areas, missing ceiling tiles, pest-entry concerns, and a non-functioning mop sink. Several foods were discarded during the inspection, and staff were directed to purchase soap and sanitizer test strips before reopening.
Health officials also noted that the person in charge at the West Chester establishment lacked adequate food safety knowledge, requiring additional staff to obtain food handler certification from an ANSI-accredited program. The facility was also cited for failing to post a valid Chester County Health Department Certified Food Manager certificate in a conspicuous location.
The Chester County Health Department encourages the public to report unsanitary conditions or concerns by submitting an Environmental Health Complaint at https://www.chesco.org/5843. Complaints are investigated and kept confidential. Individuals who believe they became ill after eating at a food establishment are advised to call 610-344-6225.
Officials reiterated that inspection reports are intended to inform the public about health and safety conditions while inspections are underway and should be viewed as part of an ongoing compliance process rather than a final judgment on an establishment’s overall operations.
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