Restaurant Inspections: Rosita's and El Pollo Primero

The state health department recently inspected a few restaurants in the Alexandria area. For prior restaurant inspection reports, click here.

In Virginia, restaurant inspection reports aren't quite as simple as getting a letter grade or an easy-to-see number rating to post in the front window.

That said, we all want to know how our favorite restaurants stack up on cleanliness and sanitation. Inspectors grade restaurants based on critical and non-critical violations.

A "critical violation" is one that "poses a direct or immediate threat to the safety of the food being served." Non-critical violations are generally related to cleaning or maintenance.

"Ideally, an operation would have no critical violations, or none which are not corrected immediately and not repeated. In our experience, it is unrealistic to expect that a complex, full-service food operation can routinely avoid any violations," according to Virginia Department of Health's website.

The site continues: "Keep in mind that any inspection report is a 'snapshot' of the day and time of the inspection. On any given day, a restaurant could have fewer or more violations than noted in the report. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term cleanliness of an establishment."

Below, find the latest restaurant inspection from the Virginia Department of Health. These inspections reflect visits from inspectors during the last few weeks. Some of the violations were corrected immediately during the recent inspections.

The full reports can be accessed on the health department's website.

El Pollo Primero, 7324 Richmond Hwy., Inspection date: July 24

Critical (corrected during inspection): Raw animal food holding in a manner that may cause cross contamination of ready-to-eat food. The inspector observed raw fish over carrots in walk-in cooler upstairs.

Critical (corrected during inspection): Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous food that is prepared on site is not used or discarded within 24 hours of preparation and was not observed to be date marked.

Non-critical (corrected during inspection): The door gaskets of the three-compartment sink are missing or damaged.

Non-critical: The nonfood-contact surfaces of some equipment were observed soiled with an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and/or other debris.

Non-critical (corrected during inspection): Observed that mops are improperly stored between use.

Non-critical: The floor located at the front, by heat case does not meet the standard of: 1. smooth, durable and easily cleanable. 2. closely woven and easily cleanable carpet. 3. The doorway located between kitchen and back room doesn't meet the standard of: 1. smooth, durable and easily cleanable.

El Ranchon Restaurant and Discoteque, 7305 Richmond Hwy., Inspection date: July 24

Critical (corrected during inspection): Raw animal food holding in a manner that may cause cross contamination of ready-to-eat food. The inspector observed shell eggs stored over raw fruit and vegetables in the walk-in cooler.

Critical (corrected during inspection): Some equipment/utensils were observed soiled to sight and touch.

Critical (corrected during inspection): Some refrigerated, ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous food that is prepared on site is not used or discarded within 24 hours of preparation and was not observed to be date marked.

Rosita's Restaurant Deli & Carry Out, 6510 Richmond Hwy., Inspection date: July 24

Critical: One or more of the elements of an effective employee health policy is either missing or incomplete. A complete employee health policy is required to be in place at the food establishment.

Critical (corrected during inspection): Some refrigerated, ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous food that is prepared on site is not used or discarded within 24 hours of preparation and was not observed to be date marked.

Non-critical: Observed that paper towels were not provided at each handwashing sink.

Non-critical (corrected during inspection): Observed that sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands is not provided at all handwashing sinks used by food employees.

Non-critical (corrected during inspection): Observed the hand sink at the back in kitchen being used to store apron.

Non-critical (corrected during inspection: Insufficient information is provided on the label of the following food item(s) packaged in the food establishment: Observed large storage bins of corn starch and rich without labels.

Non-critical (corrected during inspection): Food stored on the floor and/or food stored less than 6 inches off the floor.

Non-critical: Plumbing connections under the three-compartment sink piping are leaking.

Non-critical (corrected during inspection): Observed that mops are improperly stored between use.