WEST CHESTER, PA — Telangana Spice Kitchen was required to correct multiple food-safety and sanitation problems before reopening after a Sept. 8 complaint inspection found improper food temperatures, unavailable handwashing supplies, flies, leaking plumbing, and widespread cleaning deficiencies, according to the Chester County Health Department.
Inspectors reported that no soap or paper towels were available at any hand sink in the kitchen or employee restroom, preventing employees from properly washing their hands. The department directed the restaurant, at 8 N. Pottstown Pike, to restore a constant supply of both.
A large strainer of raw chicken was measured at 62 degrees, above the required maximum of 41 degrees for cold holding, while other pans of food were also left at room temperature, according to the inspection report. The food was discarded on site.
Inspectors also found pans of cooked food and other food containers stored on the floor, uncovered food throughout refrigerators, freezers, and a storage room, and thawing fish positioned above ready-to-eat food. Some food stored on the floor was discarded during the inspection.
The report cited numerous flies in the kitchen and storage room and instructed the business to have its pest-control provider service the facility. Inspectors said dirty dishes left in sinks overnight were contributing to the fly problem.
The facility was also directed to clean kitchen walls and floors, floor drains, refrigeration equipment, cooking equipment, sinks, the dishwasher, employee restroom and other areas before reopening.
Several hot- and cold-water or drain lines were leaking onto the floor, creating puddles beneath sinks, according to the report. Those lines were required to be repaired before opening.
Inspectors also flagged a gas line or hose covered in aluminum foil and suspended by a string. Restaurant personnel told the inspector the foil was used because heat from an oven could melt the hose.
The inspector said the arrangement made the hose difficult to clean and noted that a Health Department supervisor had contacted the Uwchlan Township building inspector to determine whether the setup was safe. The restaurant was instructed to follow any township requirements.
The facility lacked readily accessible food thermometers and sanitizer test strips for its mechanical dishwasher. Inspectors provided a sample set of sanitizer strips and directed the business to obtain the appropriate test kit within 10 days.
The restaurant was also using five-gallon buckets and smaller yogurt containers for food and spice storage. Inspectors directed staff to discard the single-use containers and replace them with approved food-storage equipment before reopening.
Other violations included food containers without labels or date markings, employee drinks and personal items stored above preparation areas, hand sinks being used for dishes and utensils, and materials accumulated around the dumpster enclosure.
The Health Department also found that the restaurant no longer had its previous certified food manager. It directed an employee who works at least 30 hours a week to complete an approved course, pass the examination and apply for a Chester County certified food manager certificate within 30 days.
The department characterized the inspection as noncompliant and said the person in charge did not demonstrate adequate food-safety knowledge.
Three other Chester County establishments received follow-up inspections Sept. 8 and were cited for violations.
At Moca Asian Cuisine, 190 Lancaster Ave. in Malvern, inspectors reported an employee washing hands in a three-compartment sink rather than a designated handwashing sink, open employee beverages in food-preparation areas and food stored on the freezer floor.
The restaurant was also cited for food residue on utensils and for offering raw sushi without the required consumer advisory informing customers of the risks associated with raw or undercooked animal products.
At Origami Asian Fusion, 163 Lincoln Highway in Exton, inspectors observed employees washing their hands in food-preparation and three-compartment sinks without soap or paper towels. One employee who returned after taking out trash did not wash hands or change gloves before approaching the cook line, according to the report.
Inspectors also found imitation crab at 54 degrees instead of 41 degrees or below, raw fish stored above ready-to-eat foods and evidence of raw beef residue in a sink compartment designated for sanitizing.
The restaurant was also cited for improper warewashing procedures, open employee beverages and an unlabeled chemical spray bottle.
At Whitford Country Club, 600 Whitford Hills Road in Exton, inspectors found food held at 45 degrees in a lower-kitchen refrigeration unit. The unit was taken out of use, and the food inside was discarded.
Several ready-to-eat foods that had exceeded allowable date-marking limits were also discarded.
In the upstairs kitchen, inspectors reported that a high-temperature dishwasher failed to bring food-contact surfaces to the required 160 degrees during the sanitizing cycle. The club was directed to have the unit serviced.
The following facilities were listed as in compliance in Sept. 8 inspection records:
- Bento Sushi @ WCU Sykes, 110 W. Rosedale Ave., West Chester
- Culinart @ The Phelps School, 583 Sugartown Road, Malvern
- Dollar Tree Store #01711, 700 Nutt Road, Suite 530, Phoenixville
- El Gordo Grocery Store, 215 S. Third St., Oxford
- Embassy Suites Valley Forge, 888 Chesterbrook Blvd., Wayne
- Greek Express/CCHD #836, 127 S. 10th St., Philadelphia
- Halal Meat Group LLC, 132 Lancaster Ave., Malvern
- Kiddie Academy of Phoenixville, 10 Chrisevyn Lane, Phoenixville
- LongHorn Steakhouse #5172/Exton, 100 Bartlett Ave., Exton
- Molly Maguires Restaurant & Pub, 195-197 Bridge St., Phoenixville
- Ram’s Head Food Court @ Sykes Student Union, 500 W. Rosedale Ave., West Chester
- Restaurant y Panaderia Phoenix, 304 E. Baltimore Pike, West Grove
- Sky Zone Exton, 912 Springdale Drive, Exton
- SQLL LLC t/a Square Bar, 250 E. Chestnut St., West Chester
- Taco Picoso/CCHD #1420, 1455 Baltimore Pike, Toughkenamon
- The New Wimpy & Dee’s Diner LLC, 5051 Horseshoe Pike, Honey Brook
The Health Department cautions that inspections represent conditions observed at a specific date and time and may not reflect a facility’s long-term sanitation or food-safety performance.
Residents who observe unsanitary conditions may submit an Environmental Health Complaint through the county at https://www.chesco.org/5843. People who become sick after eating at a food establishment are directed to call 610-344-6225 instead.
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