Health Inspections: Chinatown Cafe, Bangkok Spice

Editor's Note: The following health inspection reports were provide by the Reading Health Department. As an ongoing series, Patch will publish health reports from recent months, records that are available to the public upon request. In most cases, the inspections are part of routine checks, unless otherwise noted.

Bangkok Spice

During a routine health inspection in August at Bangkok Spice on Haven Street, inspectors found a variety of items to be addressed. Issues were corrected by a follow up visit within about a week.

The deli unit had uncovered food that needed to be covered by health requirements. The same unit also had food debris build up and it needed to be cleaned.

Plastic baskets with vegetables were stacked on top of each other with the baskets touching the food, which is a violation. A nearby shelf also had build up and needed a thorough cleaning.

Employee food and drinks were found in the food prep area rather than in a separate area that would stop cross contamination. Rice scoops were also found stored in hot water that was 119 degrees, rather than the required 140 degrees.

Inspectors found a bucket of rice noodles stored underneath a metal rack uncovered. The food must be stored covered and off of the floor. Nearby, a bottle of rug cleaner was found stored next to the rice noodles. Chemicals were ordered to be stored in a dedicated storage area.

China Town Cafe

In August a routine inspection was conducted and each item was addressed by a follow up visit a week later.

Cups and bowls were being used as scoops in ingredient barrels and buckets throughout the establishment. Instead, the inspector informed the business that food grade scoops must be used.

Several storage areas had a build up of food debris and needed to be cleaned. In addition, the food prep sink had a build up of grime and needed to be washed.

There were issues with several sinks, including a leak in one. One faucet needed to be replaced, a new sink stopper needed to be installed and a three-bay sink needed to be addressed.

In the storage area, there were a few issues to address. In one freezer there were potentially hazardous foods in direct contact with each other that needed to be separated. In another area there were unsealed dry ingredients that needed to be placed in labeled, sealed containers.

Several other locations around the restaurant showed signs of food debris and needed to be cleaned before the follow up inspection.