WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County health inspectors documented mouse droppings at a Devon dining establishment, improperly refrigerated ground turkey at a Kennett Square grocery store and multiple food-handling violations at restaurants in Phoenixville and Spring City during inspections conducted Nov. 6 and 9, according to the Chester County Health Department.
The findings included sanitation deficiencies, improper food temperatures, equipment maintenance problems and food storage violations at five establishments. Inspectors also recorded 29 facilities in compliance during the reporting period.
A complaint inspection conducted Nov. 9 at URBN Devon Yard LLC, 138 Lancaster Ave., Suite 140, in Devon, identified mouse droppings throughout the establishment.
Inspectors documented droppings behind the pizza preparation area, near the bar and potted plants in the dining room, beneath storage racks in rear preparation and storage areas, and in a preparation kitchen adjacent to the pizza area.
No live mice were observed during the inspection.
The Health Department directed the establishment to thoroughly clean and sanitize affected areas using safe cleaning procedures and continue working with a licensed pest control company to identify and eliminate rodent activity.
Inspectors warned that mouse droppings can contaminate food, equipment and preparation surfaces and spread bacteria capable of causing illness.
At Giant Food Store #6105, 350 Scarlett Road in Kennett Square, inspectors identified ground turkey held at an internal temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit in meat display case A13.
The case had remained in a defrost cycle for an extended period, allowing the product to exceed the required maximum holding temperature of 41 degrees.
The turkey was discarded, and inspectors directed the store to review the case’s defrost settings to prevent food temperatures from exceeding the limit.
Additional violations at Giant included inadequate sanitizer concentration at a bakery three-compartment sink, where readings were below the required 200 to 400 parts per million.
Inspectors also identified a leaking hose near the bakery sink, a water-damaged light shield above the ovens and cleaning deficiencies in the bakery, chicken preparation area and dairy aisle.
The chicken department was directed to clean walls, floors, sink compartments and equipment surfaces, while bakery personnel were instructed to address residue near the doughnut fryer hood.
Restaurant Mexicano El Burrito Inc., 180 Bridge St. in Phoenixville, received 11 documented violations during its Nov. 9 inspection.
Inspectors identified an unsecured handwashing sink in a rear preparation room, missing employee hair restraints, cleaning deficiencies beneath cooking equipment and grease accumulation around storage barrels in the basement.
Additional findings included cardboard lining a shelf in the dishwashing area, improperly stored takeout containers, unlabeled chemical bottles and a missing floor grate cover.
Inspectors also found two mops standing in a bucket of used water and an insect spray can on the kitchen floor.
The spray can was removed during the inspection. The Health Department reported no pest problems at the establishment at that time and instructed management to use a professional pest control company for pest control services.
The restaurant was also directed to post employee handwashing reminders in its restrooms.
At Baithak Indian Cuisine LLC, 10 Riverside Drive in Spring City, inspectors documented 11 violations on Nov. 6 involving food handling, sanitation and facility maintenance.
Chicken was observed thawing at room temperature in a food preparation sink, an unapproved thawing method. Employees placed the chicken under running water during the inspection.
Inspectors also found commercially processed ready-to-eat foods held longer than 24 hours without required date markings, wet wiping cloths stored outside sanitizer solution and food residue on a can opener blade.
Other findings included an uncovered employee beverage on a preparation table, missing hair restraints, unlabeled secondary containers and a tandoori paddle covered with an unapproved absorbent cloth.
The person in charge also failed to demonstrate adequate knowledge of Pennsylvania food safety requirements when questioned by inspectors.
Cleaning was required on cooking equipment, hood filters and refrigerated preparation units, while water-stained ceiling tiles were identified in storage areas and a public restroom.
VFW Post #1564, 200 Starr St. in Phoenixville, received eight violations during its Nov. 6 inspection.
Inspectors found a package of presliced American cheese stored in a refrigerator beyond its July 26, 2026, use-by date. The cheese was voluntarily discarded.
An ice machine in a meeting room storage area contained mold-like debris on an interior panel, door and ledge. Inspectors directed the facility to clean and sanitize the machine and discard the first batch of ice produced afterward.
Other violations included missing paper towels at a handwashing sink behind the bar, an unprotected hot dog roller, an open exterior door and cleaning deficiencies involving sinks, refrigeration shelving, floors and bar equipment.
Paper towels were replaced during the inspection.
The Health Department emphasized that inspection findings represent conditions observed at a particular time and do not necessarily reflect an establishment’s long-term sanitation or food safety performance.
Facilities Found in Compliance
The following 29 establishments were listed in compliance in the inspection records:
- B & M Deli Food Market Inc. — 154 E. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville, PA 19320
- Great Valley 5/6 Grade Center (Food) — 360 Swedesford Road, Malvern, PA 19355
- Great Valley Senior High School (Food) — 225 N. Phoenixville Pike, Malvern, PA 19355
- Grocery Outlet of Coatesville — 1851 E. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville, PA 19320
- La Picosita & Antojitas Mexicanos — 3925 Lincoln Highway, Downingtown, PA 19335
- La Picosita / CCHD #1426 — 3925 Lincoln Highway, Downingtown, PA 19335
- Mt. Zion AME Church / Atglen — 404 Zion Hill Road, Atglen, PA 19310
- Park Lane Post Acute (Food) — 1619 E. Boot Road, West Chester, PA 19380
- St. Norbert School — 6 Greenlawn Road, Paoli, PA 19301
- Sugartown Elementary School (Food) — 611 Sugartown Road, Malvern, PA 19355
- Taqueria El Korita LLC / CCHD #1503 — 809 E. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville, PA 19320
- The Juice Pod — 446 Lancaster Ave., Malvern, PA 19355
- Wegmans Food Markets #50 / East Caln — 1056 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, PA 19335
- Katydid Hill @ WC Growers FM — 201 N. Church St., West Chester, PA 19380
- New Bee Ranch @ WC Growers Market FM — 201 N. Church St., West Chester, PA 19380
- Alex Deli Market Inc. — 600 E. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville, PA 19320
- Aramark @ Brandywine-Wallace Elementary School — 435 Dilworth Road, Downingtown, PA 19335
- Aramark @ Downingtown STEM Academy — 335 Manor Ave., Downingtown, PA 19335
- Avon Grove High School (Food) — 10 Waltman Way, West Grove, PA 19390
- Brightview Devon – Food — 301 E. Conestoga Road, Wayne, PA 19087
- Gaby’s Pizza — 715 E. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville, PA 19320
- Homewood Suites / E. Whiteland — 12 E. Swedesford Road, Malvern, PA 19355
- Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant / West Whiteland — 905 E. Boot Road, West Chester, PA 19380
- KinderCare Learning Center (Food) / Uwchlan — 55 S. Village Ave., Exton, PA 19341
- Oxford United Methodist Church — 18 Addison St., Oxford, PA 19363
- Salvation Army / Coatesville — 669 E. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville, PA 19320
- Sugar Central / CCHD #1482 — 284 Barnsley Road, Oxford, PA 19363
- Twist & Wraps by Kathryn / CCHD #1562 — 3298 Compass Road, Honey Brook, PA 19344
- Wawa #8222 / Schuylkill — 799 Valley Forge Road, Phoenixville, PA 19460
Residents who observe potentially unsafe food handling or unsanitary conditions can submit a confidential environmental health complaint through the Chester County Health Department at https://www.chesco.org/5843.
Anyone who becomes ill after eating at a food establishment should instead contact the department directly at 610-344-6225.
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