Decomposed Mouse, Rodent Droppings: Ashburn, Sterling Restaurant Inspections

ASHBURN, VA — Numerous restaurants in the Ashburn and Sterling area recorded violations during recent health department inspections in mid-October. A few had pest-related violations involving rodents and roaches.

Violations at restaurants typically focus on factors that can contribute to food contamination. The local health department can also perform a re-inspection to ensure that possible violations have been corrected. For every observed violation, the inspector provides a specific corrective action that can be completed to rectify the violation.

Sometimes these are simple, and violations can be corrected during the course of the inspection. Some common violations may include foods hot holding or cold holding at improper temperatures, foods without dates marked, and sanitizer with improper amounts.

Here are restaurant inspection results in and around Ashburn and Sterling in October from the Loudoun County Health Department. Notable violations included rodent droppings and an employee licking a finger to taste a spice at Seoul Korean Restaurant in Potomac Falls; a partially decomposed mouse at Hunan Village in Ashburn; and mouse droppings, a live roach and black substance in the ice machine at PHO Factory in Ashburn.

All recent reports in Ashburn and Sterling are listed below.

Plum Market: 1 Saarinen Cir Gate A-5 Sterling, VA 20166

Last inspection: Oct. 15

Violations:

• The hand sink at the bar is blocked by a stack of boxes.
• Hotel pan of raw breakfast sausages improperly stored over cooked Ready to eat breakfast sausages on the speed rack in the walk in cooler.
• When tested, the bar dish machine registered at 10ppm bleach sanitizer which is not within the correct range. Wares not sanitized after cleaning and before use.
• Potato salad and kale salad (48F) at the carving station and grab and go meals (49F) cold holding at improper temperatures. Cold hold TCS foods at 41F or less.
• Food employee cutting romaine lettuce for salads. The PIC indicated that the lettuce comes in pre-washed however the packaging indicates that it is not. Food employee not washing lettuce prior to packaging salads.
• Ice scoop observed stored in ice maker with handle in contact with loose ice.

Seoul Korean Restaurant: 30 Pidgeon Hill Dr Potomac Falls, VA 20165

Last inspection: Oct. 15

Violations:

• Observed poor active managerial control over kitchen and kitchen staff.
• Observed multiple drinks stored on food contact surfaces.
• Observed employee lick his finger to taste spice.
• Observed employees not wash hands after handling soiled dishes, raw meat, and switching tasks.
• Observed employee touch MSG spice to figure out what spice it was.
• Observed multiple dishes stored in handsink making it impossible to wash hands.
• Restaurant using Kimchi prepared at another facility in another state with no documentation.
• Observed raw eggs and raw beef stored above ready to eat foods in reach in cooler.
• Observed multiple knives stored visibly unclean.
• Observed multiple broths being held at less than 135F.
• Observed raw chicken and raw pork measuring 78F for unknown duration of time.
• Observed no date marking on bean sprouts, cut cabbage, kimchi, and cooked beef.
• Observed WD-40 and Gap-and Crack sealer.
• Observed Mutiple large bins of spices with no label. PIC ended up putting finger and licking a spice to determine what spice it was.
• Observed rodent droppings along perimeter of kitchen throughout shared food court kitchen.
• Observed multiple foods stored on visibly unclean floor.
• Observed soup container accessible by public not being monitored.
• Observed bean sprouts being stored on floor in unclean container to be served with foods.
• Observed visibly unclean single use articles (to go container) being used to scoop dry goods.
• Observed to go containers stored in visibly unclean area.
• Observed shelving throughout visibly unclean.
• Observed two compartment sink leaking continuously.
• Observed piece of untreated wood being used as a splash guard by three compartment sink.

Hunan Village: 42920 Piccadilly Plaza #131 Ashburn, VA 20147

Last inspection: Oct. 15

Violations:

• Employees advised they had been washing their hands in the left back handsink. This handsink was dry to the touch and had no soap. When asked if employees used the one other handsink, I was advised no, they all used this dry handsink. It appears employees are not washing hands.
• Bowl used as scoop in ready to eat food. Provide scoop with handle. Ready to eat foods cannot be handled with bare hands.
• There is no soap at the hand sink to wash hands. Provide soap at hand sink for proper hand washing at all times.
• There are no paper towels at the hand sink to dry hands. Provide paper towels at hand sink for proper hand drying at all times.
• Observed raw egg holding directly on top of shrimp, raw beef above carrots and carrots sitting on raw chicken- all stored over ready to eat food in the cooler. Prevent potential cross contamination by storing raw food below and away from ready to eat foods.
• When tested, there was no available sanitizer in the 3 compartment sink being used to sanitize food contact surfaces after cleaning. Maintain sanitizer for proper sanitization.
• There is dried food residue on all utensils stored at 3 compartment sink after it being washed, rinsed, and sanitized. Food contact surfaces shall be properly cleaned and sanitized after using.
• Observed orange chicken, spring rolls, pasta cold holding at improper temperature (63, 73, 43F). Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods must be held at 41F or below to prevent growth of harmful bacteria.
• Working spray bottles of toxics no labeled.
• Dead mouse partially decomposed found below handsink in kitchen.
• A Back door is open with only screen door to prevent entry of pests. Screen door does not close and the screen is also ripped off partially from the door.
• Observed several food items stored uncovered in cooler. Store food so that it is protected with covers or wrappings.

Sodayz: 21438 Epicerie Plaza Sterling, VA 20164

Last inspection: Oct. 15

Violations:

• Observed multiple employees leave and enter the kitchen without washing hands prior to donning gloves to start preparing foods.
• Observed handsink in kitchen not having handsoap.
• Observed handsink in kitchen with no handwashing sign.
• Observed hot water dish machine measuring less than 160F surface temperature.
• Observed cut lettuce and multiple bins of refrigerated kimchi not labeled.
• Observed no disclosure footnote and multiple items served on menu not asterisked.
• Observed multiple vacuum sealed packages of squid stored in walk in cooler.
• Observed no thin probe thermometer present during inspection.
• Observed bowl with no handles being used to scoop raw beef.

The Taco Shop and Bar: 42882 Truro Parish Dr #105 Broadlands, VA 20148

Last inspection: Oct. 15

Violations:

• At time of inspection, observed no verifiable manner that food employees are aware of their responsibility to report to the Person In Charge (PIC) information about their health and activities as they relate to diseases that are transmissible through food.
• Observed 3 employee beverages stored over food preparation areas.
• Observed 9 quart containers of heavy cream in the walk in refrigerator with a sell by date of 10/11/2025. Foods have exceeded the best by date to meet Grade A Standards.
• Observed shell eggs stored over ready-to-eat produce in the walk in refrigerator. Also observed raw shrimp stored over cooked potatoes in the prep unit near the fryers.
• Observed several items in the walk in refrigerator to have exceeded the 7 day shelf life, with day 1 counting as the date the food was prepared. Observed corn (10/8), beans (10/5), Consume (10/5), and several prepared sauces and marinades exceeding the 7 day shelf life.
• Observed 2 unlabeled chemical working containers unlabeled.
• Observed a Y connection on the treaded faucet with no backflow prevention device for continuous pressure prior to the Y connection.
• Observed floor by the dish area and prior to entering the walk in refrigerator (beer cooler) in disrepair. Floor is cracked and missing in places.

Spice Circle Desi Tadka: 42864 Truro Parish Dr Broadlands, VA 20148

Last inspection: Oct. 15

Violations:

• Follow-up inspection from pre-opening inspection on 10/6/2025. Items in need of correction prior to opening:
• Facility is still in need of removing unused items in the back trash area creating a harborage condition. Facility has made progress in removing items, but several items still remain (chest freezer, counter with pre-rinse sink, mixer, display case, etc.)
• Mop sink threaded faucet has a Y connection with ABV. Replace backflow to be sufficient for continuous pressure. Person in Charge (PIC) to email EHS picture verification of proper backflow by follow-up date.

McAlister's Deli: 44155 Ashbrook Marketplace Plaza #100 Ashburn, VA 20147

Last inspection: Oct. 14

Violations: No violations found. All violations have been corrected.

Ford's Fish Shack: 44260 Ice Rink Plaza #101 Ashburn, VA 20147

Last inspection: Oct. 14

Violations:

• Employees plates and utensils are half eaten in back of house. Ensure employees are eating outside of kitchen or in a designated area where food storage and preparation is not occurring.
• Observed the facility to not be recording the date when the last shellstock from the container is sold or served.
• Observed raw eggs stored over ready to eat food in the cooler.
• The hot water sanitizing dishmachine has a high temperature of 143F. PIC will use sanitize basin of 3 compartment sink to sanitize until dishmachine can be repaired.
• Observed pico de gallo, arugula, lobster cold holding at improper temperature (57-67F). The cold hold unit is broken and the pans are sitting on top of ice. This method and quantity of ice is not adequate for proper cold holding.

Gogigogo Korean BBQ Bowl & Ramen: 42780 Creek View Plaza #120 Ashburn, VA 20147

Last inspection: Oct. 14 (pre-opening)

Violations: No violations found. Permit approved - Given to new owner after the pre-opening inspection was completed. EHS observed a portion above the walk-in cooler that was missing a wall panel - this is for a scheduled maintenance check at 4pm today - be sure to replace the portion once the maintenance/inspection is complete.

Bebop: 20630 Ashburn Rd #172 Ashburn, VA 20147

Last inspection: Oct. 14

Violations: No violations found. Violations corrected.

BB.Q Chicken: 43801 Central Station Dr #150 Ashburn, VA 20147

Last inspection: Oct. 14

Violations:

• Observed the dishwasher at 25 ppm. Per manufacture's requirements it is to be between 50-100ppm.
• Observed chlorine test strips that were expired for 2 years.
• Observed behind equipment by the fryers and behind the freezers had excessive food debris and dirt build up.

Popeyes: 44061 Ashburn Shopping Plaza Ashburn, VA 20147

Last inspection: Oct. 14

Violations: No violations found. Routine inspection. Facility is clean and well organized. Remove "Y" style fixture from mop sink when not in use.

Potbelly Sandwich Work's: 22035 Dulles Retail Plaza # 100 Dulles, VA 20166

Last inspection: Oct. 14

Violations: No violations found.

Buffalo Wild Wings GO: 46950 Community Plaza 106 Sterling, VA 20164

Last inspection: Oct. 14

Violations: No violations found. This is a follow up to routine inspection conducted on 10/01/25. Item 12VAC5-421-1530 has been corrected.

Tava Fry: 44054 Pipeline Plaza #140 Ashburn, VA 20147

Last inspection: Oct. 10

Violations: No violations found. Violations corrected.

PHO Factory: 44110 Ashburn Shopping Plaza #194 Ashburn, VA 20147

Last inspection: Oct. 10

Violations:

• Observed broth between 44-45F that was not properly cooled the night before.
• No items were date marked in the facility.
• Observed no labeling on any items in the walk in cooler.
• Observed the back door with a significant amount of light coming in through the bottom.
• Observed mouse droppings under the dishwasher and one live adult roach.
• Observed the inside of the ice machine with black build up.
• Observed the back handwashing sink with a small leak.

Burgerim: 22855 Brambleton Plaza #100 Brambleton, VA 20148

Last inspection: Oct. 10

Violations:

• Observed no hand drying provision at handwashing sink in dish washing area.
• Observed handwashing sink by dishwashing area registering at 85F.
• Observed no sign or poster in women's restroom.
• Observed marinated chicken (44F)and raw burger patties (49F) not properly cold holding in low boy cooler under grill.
• Observed no thermometer in the facility.
• Observed expired test kits. Provide test kit to measure concentration of sanitizing solution.
• Observed continuous flow while valves were turned off at handwashing sink by dry storage.
• Observed hose with spray nozzle at service sink.
• Observed no covered receptacle in the women's restroom.

Crafted: 20693 Ashburn Rd #125 Ashburn, VA 20147

Last inspection: Oct. 10

Violations: No violations found. Very clean and well maintained.

Eataliano: 43150 Broadlands Center Plaza #178 Ashburn, VA 20148

Last inspection: Oct. 10

Violations: No violations found. Today's visit was to conduct a routine inspection. EHS had a discussion with person in charge about back flow devices and receptacles.

Addy's Barbeque: 43150 Broadlands Center Plaza #180 Ashburn, VA 20148

Last inspection: Oct. 10

Violations:

• No serve safe certification available at inspection.
• PIC (person in charge) was unable to advise what foods/proteins are cooked at the facility or how to cook them.
• PIC unable to ascertain where brisket is made. Three employees in facility advise brisket is coming from Baltimore location which is not allowed and EHS has had previous conversations with owner/s regarding not bringing food from MD. Owner on phone advised the brisket is made on site on Wednesdays and the employees were new.
• No certified food manager available.
• Kitchen manager could not locate proper documentation of an employee health policy showing kitchen staff are properly trained to report symptoms of illnesses transmittable through food.
• When asked, the Person in Charge (PIC) was not able to describe or locate a vomit clean-up kit or plan.
• There are no paper towels at the hand sink to dry hands.
• Found 3 large new tubs of brisket labeled 10/8 and one half used brisket in walkin cooler as well as 3 (approx. 2 gal) clear square containers of cubed brisket. Each employee at facility advised they do not make the brisket. Advised it may come from Baltimore but they were not sure. Employees advised they have worked at location for 3 weeks and were working Wednesdays. As Wednesdays are the day I was advised they make the brisket cooking for 8hrs, additional follow-up is required.
• Cans of aerosol raid are on shelved in kitchen.
• There are drain/fruit flies and common houseflies in kitchen.
• NO test strips for Quat or Chlorine.

MatsuPoke: 44260 Ice Rink Plaza #107 Ashburn, VA 20147

Last inspection: Oct. 10

Violations:

• No hand drying provision was available at the handwashing sink on the line.
• EHS observed a jug of fluid milk with an expiration date of 10/06/2025. Employee voluntarily discarded the milk during the inspection.
• EHS noted no date marking throughout the facility of time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods that are ready to eat (RTE).
• EHS observed 4 reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) raw tuna in the walk-in cooler. FEmployee broke the vacuum on all packages during the inspection.

Duck Donuts: 43150 Broadlands Center Plaza 156 Ashburn, VA 20148

Last inspection: Oct. 10

Violations:

• No drying provisions provided at the hand sink near the three compartment sink.
• Commercial made sausage patties date marked 9/29 (2 door cooler) and 9/26 (drawer cooler) noted as held longer (under refrigerated storage) than the allowable 7 days at 41F or less.