WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County health inspectors identified food temperature violations, contamination risks, and sanitation deficiencies at three food establishments during inspections conducted on October 27, 2026, including improperly cooled food at an Exton restaurant and refrigerated products held above required temperatures at a grocery store.
The Chester County Health Department documented violations at Plaza Azteca Mexican Restaurant and Trader Joe’s in Exton and Ram’s Head Diner in West Chester. Twelve other food establishments were listed as in compliance.
The findings cover food storage, equipment maintenance, cleaning procedures, and employee sanitation practices. Several violations were corrected during the inspections, while others required additional action.
Plaza Azteca Mexican Restaurant — Exton
Inspectors documented multiple food safety and equipment violations at Plaza Azteca Mexican Restaurant, 470 W. Lincoln Highway.
Two pans of refried beans and one pan of white rice prepared the previous day were found at temperatures between 47 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit, above the required cooling temperature of 41 degrees. All three pans were voluntarily discarded during the inspection.
The department requires cooked foods to cool from 135 to 70 degrees within two hours and reach 41 degrees or below within six hours.
Inspectors also observed mold buildup inside the ice machine’s ice bin, along with residue on a soda nozzle, soda gun holder, and several beer taps. The restaurant was directed to clean and sanitize affected surfaces and discard any potentially contaminated ice.
A separate inspection finding identified an improperly connected sanitizer line on the dishwashing machine. The department instructed the restaurant not to use the machine until the connections were corrected and proper sanitizing was verified.
Additional violations included leaking plumbing, a damaged and leaking ice machine, missing refrigerator thermometers, ice accumulation in an ice cream storage bin, and dishes stacked before they had completely dried.
Food storage deficiencies included unlabeled cut lemons and flan, missing date markings on flan, onions stored in a container unsuitable for repeated food use, and food placed directly on a freezer floor.
Inspectors also found a pineapple container positioned above diced tomatoes, an employee beverage stored above cooking equipment, dirty dishes in the rinse compartment of a three-compartment sink, and disorganized refrigerated and exterior storage areas.
Other findings involved an unlabeled chemical spray bottle, a non-food-grade drainage hose, tools stored on soda syrup boxes, duct tape attached to the ceiling, and a fly strip hanging above a food preparation area.
The pineapple storage issue, employee beverage, improperly cooled foods, and fly strip were addressed during the inspection.
The department also reported that the restaurant did not employ a certified food manager as required. An employee had completed an approved training course but had not applied for county certification.
Ram’s Head Diner — West Chester
At Ram’s Head Diner, 907 S. High St., inspectors identified cross-contamination risks and cleaning deficiencies.
Raw fish fillets, eggs and beef were stored above ready-to-eat foods, including cheese and cut vegetables, inside a refrigerator. Inspectors directed employees to rearrange the products to prevent contamination.
Soiled wiping cloths and sanitizer solution were observed along the main food preparation line. The department instructed the restaurant to replace dirty cloths and solutions as needed, at least every four hours.
Cleaning and sanitizing were also required for cutting boards, ingredient containers, and waffle makers. Inspectors separately directed the restaurant to clean kitchen equipment, sinks, dishwashing equipment, floors, walls and ceilings.
Some refrigerator and dishwashing-area shelves had rust or peeling paint and required replacement.
The inspection also identified missing paper towels at food-service handwashing sinks, a need for proper mop storage, and accumulated debris in an exterior lawn and refuse area.
The diner was instructed to display its most recent inspection report or a notice informing customers that the report was available upon request. Inspectors also directed the establishment to post its Chester County Certified Food Manager certificate in public view.
Trader Joe’s — Exton
At Trader Joe’s, 125 W. Lincoln Highway, inspectors found refrigerated foods requiring temperature control measuring between 45 and 56 degrees Fahrenheit in display section MT07-1.
The required holding temperature is 41 degrees or below.
Employees removed the affected products for disposal during the inspection. The department directed the store to repair or adjust the refrigeration unit to maintain compliant temperatures.
Inspectors also found two unlabeled chemical spray bottles, one in an employee bathroom and another near a mop sink. Both were labeled during the inspection.
Establishments in Compliance
The following establishments were listed as in compliance in the October 27 inspection records:
- Boar’s Head Sandwiches @ Giant — 849 W. Baltimore Pike, West Grove
- Dunkin Donuts / West Sadsbury — 760 Commons Drive, Parkesburg
- French Creek Golf Links, LP — 4500 Conestoga Road, Elverson
- Gramm’s Kitchen — 557 E. Gay St., West Chester
- Heatherwood Retirement Community — 3170 Horseshoe Pike, Honey Brook
- Holy Family School — 221 Third Ave., Phoenixville
- La Tienda Mexicana Los Juarez — 405 Market St., Oxford
- Taipei Chinese Kitchen/Penn — 849 W. Baltimore Pike, West Grove
- Tikal Store LLC: Tienda Latina — 137 Nutt Road, Phoenixville
- Twenty9 Restaurant & Bar — 16 Great Valley Parkway, Malvern
- Two Stones Pub — 843 E. Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square
- Wawa #8140 / West Vincent — 1150 Pottstown Pike, Chester Springs
The Health Department cautions that inspection findings reflect conditions observed at a specific date and time and may not represent an establishment’s long-term food safety practices.
Residents who observe potentially unsafe food-handling conditions 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 contact the Chester County Health Department at 610-344-6225.
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