WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County health inspectors cited eight food facilities on Sept. 15 for violations ranging from unsafe food temperatures and a lack of running hot water to improper food preparation and potential cross-contamination, while 14 other establishments were listed in compliance.
The Chester County Health Department cautions that inspection reports represent conditions at the time of an inspection and may not reflect a facility’s long-term sanitation or food-safety status.
At Coventry Pub, 1440 S. Hanover St. in Pottstown, inspectors found cooked meats being held at 119 to 124 degrees instead of the required minimum of 135 degrees. The meats were required to be reheated to at least 165 degrees before being held at 135 degrees or above.
Sliced cheese in a bar cooler measured 47 degrees, above the maximum required temperature of 41 degrees, after the cooler was packed too tightly for proper air circulation. The cheese was discarded within four hours of being placed in the unit.
Inspectors also found gravy dated Sept. 4 still being stored at the restaurant on Sept. 15. Prepared time- and temperature-controlled foods must generally be used or discarded within seven days unless frozen, and the gravy was discarded.
Other Coventry Pub findings included residue on a soda-gun nozzle, grease buildup near fryers and unlabeled squeeze bottles containing oil, butter and water. The nozzle was cleaned and sanitized and the bottles were labeled during the inspection.
Malgudi Cafe, 410 W. Lincoln Highway in Exton, was cited during a follow-up inspection after inspectors observed food preparation taking place in a mop sink. The food was discarded.
Inspectors also found dirty dishes in the cafe’s food-preparation sink. The person in charge and the inspector determined that the existing food-preparation sink was too small and too far from the cookline, according to the report.
The facility plans to install a larger food-preparation sink and relocate both that sink and the mop sink. The Health Department must approve the locations and equipment before the changes are made.
White rice at Malgudi Cafe measured 130 degrees instead of the required minimum of 135 degrees. Inspectors also found the restaurant was keeping additional foods without temperature control under a time-control system without receiving prior approval.
Only tamarind rice and potato masala stuffing had been approved for that procedure, according to the inspection report. Coconut chutney will be reviewed for possible approval after the facility submits a new form, while seasonal vegetables and seasonal rice are to be maintained at 135 degrees or above.
Additional findings at Malgudi Cafe included improperly stored utensils and wiping cloths, stained or unsuitable ceiling tiles and a paper-towel dispenser that was not functioning at a cookline handwashing sink. Paper towels were supplied during the inspection.
Mercato Ristorante and Bar, 33 Market St. in West Chester, was cited after inspectors found raw chicken stored above ready-to-eat food, creating a potential cross-contamination risk. The restaurant was directed to store raw animal foods below and away from ready-to-eat foods.
Inspectors also found ready-to-eat foods without proper date markings and food containers without identifying labels. Chemical bottles were similarly found without proper labels.
A strainer was blocking access to a handwashing sink, while inspectors also cited food residue on handles at the pizza station, reuse of single-use food containers and a rough wooden crate being used to hold squeeze bottles.
Nicamex LLC, 446 Lancaster Ave. in Malvern, was cited during a follow-up inspection after an employee was observed cutting mango without proper kitchen facilities. According to the report, no handwashing sink was available on site other than a customer bathroom, and the facility was directed to immediately stop preparing and packaging food on the premises.
Papa John’s Pizza at 555 Old Lancaster Road in Berwyn was cited during a follow-up inspection for a front exterior door that was propped open, creating a risk of pest entry.
The facility also lacked a Chester County Certified Food Manager, a repeat violation, according to inspectors. It was directed to complete the county certification process and publicly post the resulting certificate.
Inspectors additionally directed the restaurant to publicly post its current license to operate and either its most recent inspection report or a notice stating that the report is available upon request. The facility was also directed to pay outstanding license and certified food manager fees and inspection fines.
Flagship Premium Cinemas, 650 W. Schuylkill Road in Pottstown, was cited during a follow-up inspection after a handwashing sink failed to receive sufficiently hot water. Inspectors measured water between 71 and 74 degrees after running the sink for 3½ minutes, with the temperature reaching 85 degrees after the three-bay sink was run for one minute.
The facility was directed to repair the problem or install a booster heater by Sept. 25 if necessary.
Inspectors also found an ice bucket stored directly on the floor and sanitizer in the three-bay warewashing sink at a concentration above 400 parts per million, exceeding the manufacturer’s specified 200-to-400 ppm range. The sanitizer was adjusted to 400 ppm during the inspection.
Sts. Philip & James, 721 E. Lincoln Highway in Exton, was cited for using time rather than temperature to control ready-to-eat foods without written procedures or documentation showing when the food would be discarded.
Taco toppings including lettuce, cheese and tomato, along with milk, were stored outside refrigeration at the serving line, according to inspectors. Cheese measured 45 degrees.
The facility was given logs and a time-control form and directed to begin maintaining records immediately. Inspectors also cited mops that were not hung to air dry and cleaning deficiencies along floor and wall junctions and beneath kitchen equipment.
Taquitos Los Cantaritos, 710 W. Baltimore Pike in Kennett Square, was cited after its generator failed, leaving the facility without running water or hot water at its handwashing sink. Inspectors directed the facility not to operate without hot water.
Rice, chicken, chorizo and other foods in a steam table were also below the required 135-degree holding temperature and were ordered discarded. The facility was directed to heat foods to at least 165 degrees before maintaining them at 135 degrees or above and to obtain a probe thermometer for checking food temperatures.
In Compliance
The Health Department listed the following facilities in compliance in its Sept. 15 inspection records:
- Boscov’s Department Store Inc., 100 Exton Square Parkway, Exton
- Burger King #6441/East Pikeland, 363 Schuylkill Road, Phoenixville
- Cafe Gourmino @ Trinity, 1022 Pottstown Pike, West Chester
- Cafe Gourmino Food Truck / CCHD #1471, 1022 Pottstown Pike, West Chester
- CPMC Concession Stands Home & Away @ CAHS, 1445 Lincoln Highway East, Coatesville
- CulinArt @ Woodlynde School, 445 Upper Gulph Road, Wayne
- Dunkin Donuts / Devon, 891 Lancaster Ave., Devon
- NexDine LLC @ Villa Maria Academy, 370 Central Ave., Malvern
- Oxford High School/East Nottingham – Food, 705 Waterway Road, Oxford
- Presto Pizza, 739 W. Cypress St., Suite 9, Kennett Square
- Technical College High School Brandywine Campus, 443 Boot Road, Downingtown
- Travelin Tom’s Coffee of Southern Chester County / CCHD #1541, 54 Conchester Road, Glen Mills
- Unionville Sports Council Concessions, 750 Unionville Road, Kennett Square
- Warwick Child Care – Food / Cedarville, 16 E. Cedarville Road, Pottstown
Residents who observe unsanitary conditions or believe a food facility requires investigation 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 the Chester County Health Department at 610-344-6225.
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