Restaurant Closed: Utensils Stored With Mouse Droppings, No Hot Water

SILVER SPRING, MD — An inspector from the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services recently closed a Silver Spring restaurants for not having hot water, employees not washing their hands properly, and having a mouse infestation. The restaurant was reinspected twice in the next six days and was able to reopen.

Inspectors also found critical violations at two other Silver Spring food establishments, but they were allowed to stay open provided they took corrective actions.

All Montgomery County licensed retail food establishments are inspected by the Licensure & Regulatory Services Program. Regular comprehensive inspections include evaluating an establishment's sanitation, maintenance and food service operations. These inspections include monitoring critical temperatures and food handling procedures.

"A Critical Violation means a food safety requirement that requires immediate correction," according to the health and human services website. "Failure for immediate correction results in cessation of some or all food operations or closure of the facility until violation is able to be corrected."

Siriwan Thai Restaurant

During a Dec. 12 inspection, four critical violations were found at the Siriwan Thai Restaurant located at 736 Cloverly St. Many of these were repeat violations and led to the restaurant being closed.

The violations concerned not keeping food protected from adulteration , spoilage and contamination; staff members not keeping their hands clean and properly washed; and not providing potable hot and cold running water.

In addition, the restaurants cold foods were not being kept at or below 41 F, which was reported to be a repeat violation. Restaurant staff was directed to discard food and not keep hazardous foods at room temperature.

The following details about additional violations of best retail practice and their corrective actions were listed in the inspection report:

• "Hot water not provided throughout facility.
• "Employees not washing hands with soap and warm water as required. NO HOT WATER.
• "Utensils are not washed properly. NO HOT WATER.
• "Utensils are not washed properly. NO HOT WATER.
• "Food utensils are not clean, stored with mouse droppings.
• "Mouse infestation observed. REPEATED VIOLATION. Mouse droppings observed in food utensils storage area next to grinder, blender etc...
• "Food utensils are not clean, stored with mouse droppings.
• "Pesticide, cleaning chemical bottle stored with food and food utensils. KEEP SEPARATE.
• "Floors are dirty with droppings, grease etc. throughout. CLEAN AND SANITIZE.
• "Food items like paper bag of sugar are stored on the floor
• "Non food contact surfaces of food cart, shelves are not clean. THOROUGH CLEANING REQUIRED.
• "Hood parts filters are not clean with heavy soot and grease. CLEAN."

In order to reopen, the restaurant needed to do the following things, according to the inspection report:

1. CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL FOOD CONTACT SURFACES THROUGHOUT.
2. CLEAN AND SANITIZE ALL NON FOOD CONTACT SURFACES.
3. PROVIDE HOT WATER.
4. THROUGHLY CLEAN AND SANITIZE FACILITY, REMOVE ALL UN-USED ITEMS. REMOVE CLUTTER FROM COUNTER AREA AS WELL AS STORAGE AREAS TO HELP WITH RODENT INFESTATION ISSUES.
5. PROVIDE A CHECK OR MONEY ORDER FOR $100.00 RE- INSPECTION FEE.

Inspectors revisited Siriwan Thai Restaurant on Dec. 14 and Dec. 18. and found it to be in compliance with the county health code. The restaurant was able to reopen.

7-ELEVEN #397696

During a Dec. 12, 2023 inspection of the 7-Eleven #397696 at 16201 New Hampshire Ave., a Montgomery County HHS employee reported finding one critical violation concerning the store cold holding temperatures. The inspector noted that this was a repeat offense.

The following items were found to be above 41 F:

• Half and half in one dispenser - 47 F
• Tuna sandwich in self-serve display case - 50 F
• Turkey sandwich - 50 F
• Chicken burrito - 47 F
• Yogurt - 47 F

Tipcos Ani

A Dec. 14 inspection found one critical violation at Tipcos Ani located at 13625 A Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring. The restaurant was not keeping potentially hazardous food at or below 41 F. The temperature of fried pork being kept on the prep table was 49 F.

The following violations of good retail practice were also noted and needed to be corrected within 30 days:

• "Bottles of vinegars observed stored under hand sink.
• "Surfaces of several equipment, carets and refrigerators handles are soiled with old debris.
• "Interiors of refrigerators and freezers are soiled with grease/ food debris.
• "Currently the facility is not under direct supervision of a manager with allergen awareness certification."

More Restaurant Reports:

• Chew Marks On Chip Bags, Mouse Droppings Found At Silver Spring Eatery
• 'Remove Mouse Droppings' Inspector Orders Silver Spring Restaurant
• Roach On Tabletop; Spoilable Food Not Kept Cool: Health Inspection
• Roach Droppings, Eggs Stored improperly At Silver Spring Eatery