16 Restaurants, Stores Cited For Food Safety Violations In Ocean County

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Sixteen establishments selling food in Ocean County received "conditionally satisfactory" ratings during inspections in August by the Ocean County Health Department.

One of the restaurants failed to correct a number of the violations by the time it was reinspected, while another had issues that have been raised repeatedly over several months, according to health department records.

There were 171 establishments inspected across the county with reports posted from Aug. 1 through Sept. 2.

Peking Chinese Restaurant on Route 37 west in Toms River received its third straight conditionally satisfactory result, according to the inspection report. There were flies around a two-compartment sink in the kitchen and the inspector said an exterminator has been on site but the issue was continuing. He noted that the back door did not close completely, allowing pests into the restaurant. The restaurant also was told repeatedly to not have foods such as cut vegetables sitting out and not refrigerated, with the inspector saying the vegetables were moved to a walk-in refrigerator immediately but were taken back out again before he left. The restaurant's dining room carpet also is sticky and the owner was ordered to clean it. A reinspection is scheduled for Sept. 15.

Monalyssa Pizza & Restaurant on Bay Avenue in Point Pleasant was inspected twice, on Aug. 8 and Aug. 20, with both resulting in a conditionally satisfactory rating. The inspector said the restaurant needed someone certified in foodborne disease prevention on site because of the extensive menu that includes raw clams used in various dishes. "Routine housekeeping should be conducted on floors, and all food equipment," the report said. It also cited a lack of a full sneeze guard protecting pizza on display.

Slice House in Toms River was cited for "too many critical violations and deficiencies observed," and ordered to properly train its employees in food safety. Handwashing, sanitation and food-handling issues were cited.

Off Shore Inn in Point Pleasant Beach was partially inspected during what the inspector said was an ongoing foodborne illness investigation. The restaurant was ordered to get people certified in safe food handling procedures because it serves raw shellfish. The report did not give details about the illness investigation.

Guadalupana Restaurant in Toms River was inspected on Aug. 7 and found to have several violations including raw food not kept refrigerated when it was not being actively prepared. It was reinspected on Aug. 14 and received a satisfactory rating.

Singin Oil on Chambersbridge Road in Brick was cited for having bagels with cream cheese and butter on display but not refrigerated.

The Toms River Country Club was cited for not properly labeling shellfish and not properly tracking its use under food safety requirements because of its use of fresh clams and mussels. It also was ordered to have a report from an exterminator addressing a complaint the department received about roaches but the inspector notes none were seen during the inspection.

Leisure Village West Deli was cited for having baked goods for sale that were individually wrapped for grab-and-go by customers but were not labeled.

Three Bs Bar & Bistro in Lakehurst was cited for several issues regarding its sushi preparation. There was no meter to test the pH of the rice, to keep it safe for consumption, and testing records had not been kept since May. The refrigerator at the sushi station was not working. Employees also were handling ready-to-eat foods with their bare hands at the sushi station, the inspector said. A scrubbing pad was found in the sushi at the time of the inspection, he wrote. A basement bathroom reeked of sewage and there was "visual evidence of spill or overflow that was not cleaned up at pipes." It was scheduled for reinspection on Sept. 3.

Stromberg's Creamery in Berkeley was inspected for the first time in early August even though it had been open for two years, the inspector wrote. It was cited for several things, including the storage of ice cream scoops between uses, not having proper temperature hot water for handwashing, and using handwashing sinks for washing dishes, which is not permitted.

Buy-Rite Liquors on Route 37 west in Toms River was cited for not having working hot water in the store for handwashing.

Nick Nacks Ice Cream in Ortley Beach, which opened in 2023, was inspected for the first time and cited for not having proper wells for rinsing ice cream scoops between serving customers and for leaving dishes in the sink overnight to be washed the next morning. It was reinspected and given a satisfactory rating.

The Corner Store on Ocean Gate Drive in Bayville was cited for odors and a lack of cleanliness in the employee restroom along with no hot water for handwashing in the bathroom. The report said there is no food preparation at the store.

Smart Start Academy on Lakewood Road in Toms River was cited for not having hot enough water for handwashing in classroom sinks and those sinks being used to wash dishes as well as for handwashing, along with not properly sanitizing dishes. There also was an issue with garbage and recycling on the ground and not put in the larger containers, which risks attracting pests, the inspector said. A reinspection was set for Wednesday.

The Toms River High School South football concession stand was cited for washing a coffee pot and a cooking pot in the sink designated for handwashing, with the inspector writing, "Remove all washable equipment and make the menu only prepackaged food and beverages or install a dishwashing facilities." The report says the only cooking equipment on site is a microwave.

Ono Bowls in Toms River, the food truck outside Pop's Coffee Shop, was cited for not keeping fruit properly refrigerated and for not having hot water in the handwashing sink or hot enough water in the dish sink.