Roach Found, Dogs Present: Ashburn, Sterling Restaurant Inspections

ASHBURN, VA — Numerous restaurants in the Ashburn and Sterling area recorded violations during health department inspections between Aug. 29 and Sept. 11.

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.

Here are the most recent restaurant inspections in and around Ashburn and Sterling, according to the Loudoun County Health Department. Of note, Cheesecake Factory was found with fruit flies and a cockroach. The person in charge explained a pest control representative was not properly inspecting or eliminating pests, and the issue was brought up to corporate. Health inspectors provided tips on eliminating pests.

In addition, Nick's Taverna was cited for brown residue in an ice machine component, leading inspectors to recommend cleaning. One more notable violation was Emilio's Brick Oven Pizza having dogs present in the kitchen, which was corrected during the inspection.

Red Robin: 21045 Dulles Town Circle Dulles, VA 20166

Last inspection: Sept. 11

Violations:

• Employee beverages improperly stored. Water bottles observed in an active food preparation area.
• There are no paper towels at the hand sink by the expo line to dry hands. Provide paper towels at hand sink for proper hand drying at all times.
• Prevent potential cross contamination by storing raw animal foods with higher cook temperatures (turkey patty) below and away from raw animal foods with lower cook temperatures (raw shell eggs).
• Observed time/temperature control for safety foods (TCS) not properly dated for disposition. Foods not labeled include: cooked ribs, cooked chorizo, sauté onion. Ready to eat TCS foods held over 24 hours must be date marked with either made on date or date the food item must be consumed not to exceed 7 days.

Sheetz- #666: 21304 Windmill Parc Dr Sterling, VA 20166

Last inspection: Sept. 11

Violations:

• Employee beverages improperly stored. Open cans of soda and water bottles observed in an active food preparation area.
• Wares cycled through the dish machine are not being sanitized, reading of less than 25 ppm chlorine were taken.
• Observed grilled chicken cold holding at improper temperature (45F). Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods must be held at 41F or below to prevent growth of harmful bacteria.
• Employee medicine was stored on the kitchen shelves above the single service items.

Auntie Anne's Pretzels: 21100 Dulles Town Cir #262 Sterling, VA 20166

Last inspection: Sept. 10

Violations: No violations found.

Chuck E Cheese's: 21025 Dulles Town Circle Dulles, VA 20166

Last inspection: Sept. 10

Violations: No violations found.

Raunaq Mela: 45250 Catalina Ct Sterling, VA 20166

Last inspection: Sept. 10

Violations:

• Person in Charge (PIC) was not able to produce verified documentation of employee health training. Stated that owner had not sent her the forms after they were provided during last inspection.
• Observed self-serve packaged foods including gudpare and shakkapara available for purchase without proper labelling.

AllgoRhythms: 21035 Dulles Town Circle Dulles, VA 20166

Last inspection: Sept. 10 (pre-opening)

Violations:

• Will need to address:
• Coolers all 41F
• Tandoori gone-not approved
• All equipment under hood at least 6"
• Caulk wet junctions
• 120F water at 3 vat
• Handsinks signage
• Walkin temperatures.

Panda Tea House: 21100 Dulles Town Cir #176 Sterling, VA 20166

Last inspection: Sept. 10

Violations:

• Observed raw shell eggs 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.
• Observed boba tea cold holding at improper temperature (112F). Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods must be held at 41F or below to prevent growth of harmful bacteria.

Starbucks Coffee #13930: 21100 Dulles Town Cir Sterling, VA 20166

Last inspection: Sept. 10

Violations:

• Inside of the three-compartment sink observed stained by the tea. Clean the sink more frequently.

Emilio's Brick Oven Pizza: 22207 Shaw Rd A-10 Sterling, VA 20166

Last inspection: Sept. 10

Violations:

• PIC was not able to provide employee health forms verifying training for identifying and reporting signs of illness.
• PIC was not able to provide written instructions for cleanup of vomiting and diarrhea.
• Handwashing sink in kitchen was blocked by proving tubs and CO2 tanks.
• Observed the following items improperly holding in the prep unit nearest the pizza oven: pizza sauce 51F, ground beef 51F, peperoni 51F, shredded mozzarella 52F.
• Observed two large dogs in the kitchen at the beginning of the inspection. Owner stated that she was on her way to the vet when she was alerted that I was on site.
• There is still a gap between the bottom of the back door and the kitchen floor. Cover the gap to prevent the insect and rodent entrance.
• PIC stated that they had run out of quat sanitizer testing strips for 3 compartment sink.
• Drain under 3-compartment sink backed up with stagnant water. PIC stated that the plumber told her it was a good idea to use a dish tub to catch water drained from sink instead of clearing the clogged pipe.
• Observed drain pipe for 3-compartment sink was submerged under the water surface in a dish tub under the sink.

Kung Fu Tea: 43800 Central Station Dr, #175 Ashburn, VA 20147

Last inspection: Sept. 9

Violations:

• Observed boba tea hot holding at improper temperature (121F). Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods must be hot held at 135F or above to prevent growth of harmful bacteria.

Popeye's Restaurant: 24431 Stone Springs Blvd Sterling, VA 20166

Last inspection: Sept. 9

Violations:

• The establishment could not demonstrate the ability to provide written procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events that involve the discharge of vomitus or fecal matter onto surfaces in the food establishment.
• The methods used for cooling were not adequate in that a covered container of cooked rice observed being cooled by placing in on top of the ice on food prep table in food prep area.

Cheesecake Factory: 21076 Dulles Town Circle Dulles, VA 20166

Last inspection: Sept. 9

Violations:

• Observed 7 vacuum sealed bricks of mozzarella in the meat and produce walk-in cooler that had passed the use by dates on their factory packaging (July and August 2024).
• Observed a sanitizer bucket in the cheesecake display area that tested below acceptable concentration of lactic acid sanitizer.
• EHS observed multiple fruit flies in the dry storage area including floating in a tub of sake wine. Observed one cockroach on the wall of the hallway leading to the kitchen on the right side across from the row of reach in coolers. PIC stated that there was an issue with their EcoLab Pest Control representative not properly inspecting for or eliminating pests. The issue has been elevated to the corporate level for both parties.

Anna Sudha Community Kitchens: 21100 Dulles Town Cir #134-A Dulles, VA 20166

Last inspection: Sept. 6

Violations:

• TCS foods cold holding at improper temperatures in the two door stand up cooler. Hummus and shredded cheese observed stored in this cooler at 57F. Firm is aware that the cooler is not able to maintain TCS foods at 41F or less. This is a repeat violation.

Bracket Room: 1 Saarinen Cir. Dulles, VA 20166

Last inspection: Sept. 6

Violations: No violations found.

Nick's Taverna: 42395 Ryan Rd #130 Ashburn, VA 20148

Last inspection: Sept. 3

Violations:

• Observed an employee beverage on the shelf above a food contact surface. Employee beverages shall be kept in a designated area, with lids, and straws.
• Observed an employee bare-hand RTE (Ready To Eat) spinach rice. Also observed a medium sized, metal mixing bowl being used as an ice scoop for the ice machine.
• Observed the hand sink near the dishwashing area to be missing paper towels.
• Observed raw chicken and beef skewers being kept in the same container in the walk-in cooler.
• Observed foods such as salsa (70F) and feta cheese (70F) improperly cold-holding in the prep cooler closest to the 3 VAT sink.
• Observed the ice machine deflector to have a brown residue as well as a strong odor in the dishwashing area.

Lost Rhino Brewing Pub: 21730 Red Rum Dr #142 Ashburn, VA 20147

Last inspection: Sept. 3

Violations:

• Observed low chemical dishmachine to be at a chlorine concentration too low for the chlorine strips to detect. Chlorine must be kept at a concentration between 50-100 ppm for effective sanitization.
• Observed several RTE (Ready To Eat) foods underneath the prep cooler to be incorrectly date marked, including sausage links (08/27), sliced deli ham (08/23), and cooked noodles (08/26). Date marking must accurately reflect either prep day or the day by which to discard the food, which is seven days with day one being the day of prep.

Bowlero Bowling Alley: 46940 Woodson Drive Sterling, VA 20164

Last inspection: Sept. 3

Violations: No violations found.

PHO Royal: 46839 Maple Leaf Pl Sterling, VA 20164

Last inspection: Sept. 3

Violations:

• Observed both handwashing sinks in the kitchen and the handwashing sink in the front service area without paper towels.
• Observed bowls of cooked and raw chicken sitting nested on top of each other in the rear prep cooler.
• Observed an accumulation of meat residue on the deli slicer.
• Observed multiple Time/temperature control for safety foods cold holding above 41 F in the walk-in cooler. Foods included: cooked shrimp 46F, spring rolls 47F, raw chicken 47F, pho broth 52F, raw bean sprouts 68F, cooked rice noodles 50F, cooked chicken 46F, raw chicken 46F, raw pork 49F, and cut lettuce 51F.
• Observed multiple items in the walk-in cooler without date marks including raw shrimp, cooked rice noodles, cooked chicken, raw chicken, raw pork, and pho broth.
• Observed the walk-in cooler unable to keep refrigerated items under 41 F.
• Observed ambient air thermometer in walk-in cooler reading 28F. Cooler display reading 38F. EHS thermometer measured 45F in the coldest part of the cooler after prolonged exposure.

Social House Kitchen & Tap: 42841 Creek View Plaza #145 Ashburn, VA 20147

Last inspection: Aug. 31

Violations:

• Observed grill area hand sink drain clogged. Water does not drain.

Farm & Fork Kitchen: 42755 Creek View Plaza #100 Ashburn, VA 20147

Last inspection: Aug. 31

Violations:

• Observed bar hand sink used to rinse cups and fill containers of sanitizer.
• Observed many boxes of bottled beverages and cooking oil stored directly on the floor beside and underneath shelving in the dry storage room.
• Observed clean tongs and scoop used for dispensing ice stored improperly at bar. Clean tongs stored hung over edge of ice bin and clean ice scoop stored on ledge of hand sink.
• Observed floor beneath shelving in dry storage room in need of detail cleaning.

Ashburn Pub: 44110 Ashburn Shopping Plaza #196 Ashburn, VA 20147

Last inspection: Aug. 29

Violations:

• The walk in refrigerator is not maintaining all TCS food at 41F or below. Refrigeriation units need to maintain TCS foods held within at 41F or below. Person in charge has contacted maintenace employee to check this unit this evening. Follow up item.

Rahama African Restaurant: 45665 W Church Rd #103 Sterling, VA 20164

Last inspection: Aug. 29

Violations: No violations found.

Asian Spice Cafe: 42395 Ryan Rd #126 Ashburn, VA 20148

Last inspection: Aug. 29

Violations:

• Missing hand drying provisions for the hand sink at the entrance of the dishwashing area. All hand sinks must have hand drying provisions.
• Observed a sign reminding employees to wash hands missing from both employee bathrooms.
• Observed multiple uncovered containers in the walk-in cooler to be missing coverings and wrappings including tofu, mini carrots, and sliced water chestnuts.
• Observed the only bleach containers present on site to be for laundry use instead of food contact surface use.
• Observed all items that consist of or contain raw or undercooked animal food are disclosed on the menu.

Taco Zocalo: 21800 Towncenter Plz 204 Sterling, VA 20164

Last inspection: Aug. 29 (pre-opening)

Violations: No violations found.

King's Buffet: 21950 Cascades Pkwy 140 Sterling, VA 20164

Last inspection: Aug. 29

Violations:

• Kitchen has begun using chlorine bleach in the 3-compartment sink to sanitize and will be removing the lactic acid dispenser. Person in Charge was not able to provide chlorine bleach testing strips.

Rock N' Claws Seafood & Grill: 44110 Ashburn Shopping Plaza #100 Ashburn, VA 20147

Last inspection: Aug. 29

Violations:

• The kitchen hand sink is blocked by a chair preventing access of employees for easy handwashing.
• No soap available at the dish machine hand sink. No soap available at the kitchen hand sink.
• No hot water available at dish machine hand sink.
• Observed 3 knives with food residue stored with other clean utensils.
• No date marking system in place for house-made sauces, reconstituted noodles, cooked rice, beef sauce and marinating meets located inside the walkin cooler.
• Observed a bundle of onions stored on the floor.
• Bar dishmachine not operating. Large prep cooler in the kitchen not operating.
• Handles and outside surfaces of coolers are sticky and greasy. Food debris build up on walkin cooler shelves.
• Leaky plumbing at prep sink and leaky condensate line at the walkin cooler. Freezer ceiling is dripping water.

Scotto's Rigatoni Grill: 42395 Ryan Rd Ashburn, VA 20147

Last inspection: Aug. 29

Violations:

• Observed the chlorine concentration of the sanitizer basin of the 3 VAT sink to be below 50 ppm.
• Observed milk, and ricotta cheese cold-holding at 45F.
• Observed wet mops in the corner with the mopheads on the floor by the walk-in cooler.

Solace Brewing Company: 42615 Trade W Dr #100 Sterling, VA 20166

Last inspection: Aug. 29

Violations:

• Observed the kitchen hand sink blocked with a piece of metal and limited access with a shelf in front.
• Dishwasher chlorine concentration was 0 ppm.
• Observed chili on steam table at 121F.
• Observed a herb unsalted butter 81F on the counter at an improper cold holding temperature.
• Observed chili and house made queso without date make.
• Observed salad spinner stored on the floor.