Rodent Droppings, Ice Machine Mildew Among Ashburn, Sterling Restaurant Violations

ASHBURN, VA — Numerous restaurants in the Ashburn and Sterling area recorded violations during health department inspections in the early days of 2025.

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 of chroline.

Here are the January restaurant inspections in and around Ashburn and Sterling up to Jan. 9, according to the Loudoun County Health Department. The most violations were 16 at Tava Fry. Other violations included rodent droppings at Tipicos Dona Gloria Restaurant and green and brown mildew in an ice machine at Tommy's Place.

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

Last inspection:

• Facility had multiple priority violations which the person in charge wasn't able to address them correctly.
• No employee holds the Certified Food Protection Management card.
• Management, food employees or conditional employees were not aware or informed of their responsibilities in reporting symptoms or diagnosis of disease transmissible through food.
• Multiple water bottles and open container cups were stored on the kitchen counter tops.
• Facility doesn't have sufficient number of hand sink in the kitchen by the three compartment sink and prep sink.
• There are no paper towels at the hand sink to dry hands. There must be paper towels available at hand sink for proper hand drying at all times.
• Observed raw chicken stored over ready to eat food in walk in cooler. Prevent potential cross contamination by not storing raw animal foods over ready to eat foods.
• Multiple knives and cutting boards observed soiled.
• When tested, there was no available Quaternary Ammonia sanitizer in the bucket being used to sanitize clean in place food contact surfaces after cleaning.
• Observed time/temperature control for safety foods (TCS) not properly dated for disposition. Foods not labeled include: Cooked chicken, onion sauce.
• Ready to eat time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods (Chicken Katti) held over 24 hours are being kept past their consume by dates labeled on the containers.
• Multiple knives stored in between kitchen tables.
• Three compartments sink isn't attached to the wall.
• Reach in cooler's doors and handles, microwave, oven handles of the stove observed with accumulation of the soil residues.
• There is hole above the grease trap, and multiple broken tiles observed throughout the kitchen.
• Observed immense buildup of residue in hood and filters.

South Block: 20327 Exchange St Ashburn, VA 20147

Last inspection: Jan. 9

Violations:

• Two food employees observed without hair restraints.

Doughlab: 21426 Epicerie Plaza, Sterling, VA, USA #180 Sterling, VA 20164

Last inspection: Jan.8

Violations: The purpose of todays visit is to conduct a pre-opening inspection. Facility not approved at time of inspection. Facility is to call EHS when items below have been corrected.

Facility is in need of correcting the following:

• Ensure shatter-proof bulbs are used at the pendant lights near display.
• 3 compartment sink nozzle is not capped where a sprayer nozzle was once attached. Unable to determine hot water due to water not being dispersed at the faucet. Signs on sink noted incorrect. Ensure employees are properly trained to wash, rinse, then sanitize.
• Hose attached to mop sink and spray nozzle (continuous pressure) observed next to the hose. Ensure backflow prevention meets the construction, maintenance and installation of the backflow prevention device. A backflow or back siphonage prevention device installed on a water supply system shall comply with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63) for construction, installation, maintenance, inspection, and testing for that specific application and type of device.
• Front door into facility observed to not be tight fitting. Daylight observed at door seams. Ensure door is tight-fitting to prevent the entry of pests.
• Mixers (2), dough press, and hand washing sinks are in need of cleaning. Heavy construction residue observed on mixers.
• Overall surfaces and walls throughout the kitchen are in need of cleaning. Construction residue observed.
• No sanitizer present at the facility for food contact surfaces.
• No test kit to measure sanitizer concentration present at the facility.
• Odor observed from only restroom in the facility. Plumber in restroom at time of inspection working on repairing odor.
• Walk in refrigeration unit provided inconsistent temperatures throughout. EHS will re-check walk in at follow-up inspection to ensure 41F or below.
• Ventilation in kitchen in need of cleaning. Dust observed on vents.
• Per PIC, one dough press in the facility is not to be used. Remove unused equipment.
• EHS to verify plumbing under the 3 compartment sink with the Building Department. No air-gap observed for 2 plumbing connections to the compartments of the sink. Grease trap also installed by plumber with ribbed style connection.
• Facility is in need of a food thermometer.

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

Last inspection: Jan. 8

Violations:

• Management, food employees or conditional employees were not aware or informed of their responsibilities in reporting symptoms or diagnosis of disease transmissible through food.
• Multiple uncovered food employee's drink observed on the kitchen counter.
• Observed raw fish, beef stored over ready to eat food in walk in cooler.
• No written procedures are provided for the time control on sushi rice.
• Detergent and bleach containers stored above the water bottles and ready to eat food.
• Frozen raw chicken stored on the kitchen counter to thaw.
• ROP fish observed thawing inside the vacuum packaging inside the walk-in cooler.
• White towel observed in contact with the rice inside the rice warmer.
• Food containers observed stored on the walk-in freezer floor.
• Multiple frying pans observed with lots of scratches.

Running Dish: 47100 Community Plaza 134 Sterling, VA 20164

Last inspection: Jan. 8

Violations:

• Observed no verifiable manner that food employees have been trained on the signs, symptoms, and exposures to foodborne and who to report to.
• Observed raw protein on the buffet. Ready-to-cook individual portions for immediate cooking and consumption on the premises such as consumer-cooked meats or consumer-selected ingredients for Mongolian barbecue.
• Observed food debris on the blade of the can opener and a knife that was ready to be used. Food contact surfaces should be clean to sight and touch.
• Observed crab ragoon 91F and dumplings 79F at an improper hot holding temperature. Foods held hot should be maintained at 135F or above.
• Observed caviar 52F in sushi cooler at an improper cold holding temperature. Food held cold should be maintained at 41F or below.
• Observed eel and leafy greens without a date mark. Foods kept for more that 24 hours should be date marked.
• Observed wasabi in a non food safe bag.

Capitol Grounds Coffee (MAIN TERMINAL): 1 Saarinen Cir. Dulles, VA 20166

Last inspection: Jan. 8

Violations:

• Case of raw shell eggs observed incorrectly stored over ready to eat foods such as drinks in the walk in cooler.
• Facility does not have drain stoppers to utilize to effectively fill the three compartment sink with sanitizer to properly sanitize wares after cleaning and before use. When asked, the person in charge was unable to explain the proper procedures for washing wares. It was determined that wares are not being effectively sanitized after cleaning and before use.
• Cooked egg patties stored on top of prep pans in the open top prep cooler noted as not being cooled properly after cooking. Eggs temped at 65F at 1pm and according to the person in charge the eggs were cooked at 7 am.

Delicioso: 45665 W. Church Rd #112 Sterling, VA 20164

Last inspection: Jan. 8

Violations: No violations found.

Benihana: 21089 Dulles Town Circle Dulles, VA 20166

Last inspection: Jan. 3

Violations:

• Observed a scrub in the handwashing sink. Person in charge removed scrub out of handwashing basin.
• Facility has a parasite destruction letter but does not state time and temperature parameters.
• Observed high temperature dishwasher not properly sanitizing, registering at 153F temp.
• Observed no shield for light fixture in bar closet.

China Gourmet Inn: 20789 Great Falls Plaza #118 Sterling, VA 20165

Last inspection: Jan. 3

Violations:

• EHS observed raw scallops stored over cooked ready to eat (RTE) pork spare ribs and reconstituted noodles in the reach in cooler on the line. Employee moved the raw scallops so that they are stored underneath the cooked spare ribs.
• EHS observed 2 large containers of loose in noodles in the walk-in cooler covered, while actively cooling. Employee uncovered the lomein and stored on uncovered so that they could continue cooling.
• EHS observed a container of reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) tilapia in the walk-in cooler with the vacuum seal intact. Employee cut open all fish packages to continue thawing.
• EHS observed cardboard box tops being utilized as cooling racks for cooked tempora chicken.

La Pupusa Loca: 309 South Sterling Blvd Sterling, VA 20164

Last inspection: Jan. 3

Violations:

• Observed multiple uncovered tubs of food in the walk-in cooler including cabbage slaw, cooked pork, black beans, and refried beans.
• Observed 5 cases of assorted cheeses sitting at room temperature for almost 4 hours. PIC stated it was their routine process to allow cheeses to sit out all day to soften them for pupusas.
• Observed multiple damaged and missing floor times in dishwashing area.

UP Ashburn LLC: 20051 Riverside Cmns Plz #136 Ashburn, VA 20147

Last inspection: Jan. 3

Violations: No violations found. Permit handed to person in charge.

Tipicos Dona Gloria Restaurant: 317 Enterprise St Sterling, VA 20164

Last inspection: Jan. 3

Violations:

• Observed handwashing sink at the bar blocked by an empty bucket and a dirty kitchen knife.
• Observed rodent droppings throughout the back room on top of the reach in cooler and under the electrical panel.
• Observed 3 spatulas with severely melted handles impacting their ability to be cleaned and sanitized properly.
• Observed the 3-compartment sink in the kitchen leaking from the faucet.

Velocity Wings: 20789 Great Falls Plaza #162 Sterling, VA 20165

Last inspection: Jan. 3

Violations: No violations found. The purpose of today's follow-up inspection was to confirm that proper testing strips have been procured for the three basin sink. Correct testing strips have been obtained.

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

Last inspection: Jan. 3

Violations:

• Observed raw ground pork stored over ready to eat food (garlic) inside the walk-in cooler.
• Egg noodle inside the prep cooler observed above the fill line and were cold holding at improper temperature 49 degrees.

MG Food US: 47024 Leesburg Pike 104 Sterling, VA 20164

Last inspection: Jan. 2

Violations:

• Person in Charge (PIC) stated that the employe health forms provided during routine inspection on 12-23-24 have been printed and distributed to the employees but have not been signed yet.
• PIC stated they were not able to find chlorine sanitizer test strips in stores and have ordered them on Amazon, but they have not yet arrived.

Ox Deli: 23035 Douglas Court #136 Sterling, VA 20166

Last inspection: Jan. 2

Violations:

• Establishment does not have any signed copies of their employee health policy on premises. E
• Establishment does not have a written procedure for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events.
• Eggs and cheese were observed being stored on the floor of the walk-in fridge.
• Wiping cloths used to sanitize food contact surfaces were observed being stored outside of chemical sanitizer.
• Scoop in ice machine was observed with the handle touching the ice.
• Establishment does not have chlorine test strips on premises to be able to determine the proper chemical sanitizer concentration for their 3-compartment sink.

Tommy's Place: 156 Enterprise Street Sterling, VA 20164

Last inspection: Jan. 2

Violations:

• Observed an empty sanitizer bucket sitting in the handwashing sink in the dishwashing area.
• Observed raw shell eggs, raw beef, raw chicken, and raw shrimp stored over ready to eat produce and cooked rice in the walk-in cooler.
• Observed an accumulation of green and brown mildew on the plastic guard of the ice machine.
• Observed low-temperature dish machine measuring 0-10 ppm chlorine sanitizer after priming and multiple cycles.
• Observed raw chicken, raw steak, and raw shrimp with "Use By" dates from December 2024. Employee stated that foods were freshly prepared but labels bad not been replaced.
• Observed several lightbulbs out in dishwashing area.

Chuy's: 21365 Epicerie Plaza Sterling, VA 20164

Last inspection: Jan. 2

Violations:

• Facility doesn't have a maximum irreversible registering thermometer on site.

Mika's Pizza: 21475 Epicerie Plaza #100 Sterling, VA 20164

Last inspection: Jan. 2

Violations:

• Person in charge doesn't have the knowledge about the cooking temperature of different raw animal origin products.
• No Certified Food Protection Manger is present on site.
• Management, food employees or conditional employees were not aware or informed of their responsibilities in reporting symptoms or diagnosis of disease transmissible through food.
• Food establishment doesn't have a written procedure to respond to vomiting or diarrheal events.
• Employee's water bottle stored on the shelf above the food prep area.
• Salsa inside the prep cooler observed being molded.
• There is no available Chlorine sanitizer in dish machine. Sanitizer is reading 0 parts per million.
• Slicer on the kitchen counter with accumulation of food residues.
• Stuffed peppers observed without a date label.
• Burgers which can be cooked to order doesn't have an asterisk by them.
• ROP salmon thawing inside the package in the tall reach in cooler.
• Reach in cooler in the kitchen door gaskets observed torn.

Locals Tacos & Tequila: 20789 Great Falls Plaza #176 Sterling, VA 20165

Last inspection: Jan. 2

Violations:

• EHS observed a food employee handling their personal phone while portioning ready to eat salsa and handling clean equipment without washing their hands. Food employee stopped portioning, washed & gloved hands and resumed task with clean containers.
• EHS observed cooked shrimp in a fryer basket at improper hot holding temperature - 112F. Manager voluntarily discarded the cooked shrimp during the inspection.
• EHS observed 2 separate toppings (mayo/slaw based) cold holding at improper temperature (43F). Manager moved these two items to the reach in freezer to rapidly cool to 41F during the inspection.
• EHS observed a can or aerosol Raid under a shelf within the kitchen/bar area. Manager voluntarily discarded the can of Raid during the inspection.

Shotted Specialty Coffee: 21100 Dulles Town Cir Dulles, VA 20166

Last inspection: Jan. 2

Violations: No violations found. Previous violations corrected.