Route 1 Restaurant Inspections: Few Eateries With Violations

HYBLA VALLEY, VA — With Fairfax County Health Department's restaurant inspection reports back online, we continue to look at reports in the Route 1 corridor.

The health department's environmental health staff inspect over 5,200 restaurants and other retail food service establishments in Fairfax County and cities of Falls Church and Fairfax to ensure safe food handling practices are followed. This includes proper sanitation, food storage and preparation, and adequate kitchen facilities. Aside from restaurants, staff inspect child care centers, hospitals, school cafeterias, and temporary food service vendors at festivals.
The health department cautions residents that a single inspection should not be used to evaluate a restaurant. Pieter Sheehan, the Fairfax County environmental health director, says "it is important to look at multiple inspection reports for a facility to truly understand their approach and commitment to food safety and sanitation."

This week's report focuses on restaurants in Hybla Valley, Woodlawn and Mount Vernon in December. The news was good for most restaurants receiving perfect inspection results. A few had one or a few violations, but there were no major violations like pests or mold.

Residents can search for a specific restaurant or browse a map of inspected locations through the online database. Click on each report for more information.

La Guera Jugos & Bionicos: 2905 Arlington Dr., Alexandria, Va 22306

Last inspection: Dec. 20

Violations:

• The following refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food that is commercially processed is not used or discarded within 24 hours of when the original container was opened and is not observed to be date marked: chopped bacon wrapped hotdogs in containers in the prep top cooler.
• Observed that hand soap was not provided at the handwashing sink, located in the kitchen area.
• There was a large container of sliced potatoes, a large bag of onions and a large container of mayonnaise in the floor in the walk in cooler. Food stored on the floor and/or food stored less than 6 inches off the floor.
• Dispensing and/or in-use utensils improperly stored between use as follows: ice scoop in the ice machine with the handle below the level of the ice.
• The following food items that are not easily identified by appearance were observed without a label: multiple bottles of mustard, vanilla and bottles of salt at the prep top cooler without the common names labeled.
• Multiple wet wiping cloths used for wiping counters and other equipment surfaces were observed stored on the prep top counter and cooler.

Pizza Hut: 7611 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22306

Last inspection: Dec. 8

Violations: No violations found.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries: 7622 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22306

Last inspection: Dec. 14

Violations:

Upon discussion with the person-in-charge, one or more of the elements of an effective employee health policy is either missing or incomplete.

honeygrow: 7698 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22306

Last inspection: Dec. 12

Violations: No violations found.

Cold Stone Creamery: 7702 B Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22306

Last inspection: Dec. 5

Violations: No violations found.

McAlister's Deli: 7704 A Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22306

Last inspection: Dec. 18

Violations: No violations found.

Pollo Campero: 7705 Fordson Rd., Alexandria, Va 22306

Last inspection: Dec. 15

Violations: No violations found.

Buffalo Wild Wings: 7732 F Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22306

Last inspection: Dec. 12

Violations: No violations found.

Quickfire Hibachi: 7732 A Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22306

Last inspection: Dec. 8

Violations: No violations found.

Pupusas Express: 7770 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22306

Last inspection: Dec. 19

Violations:

• Observed that paper towels were not provided at the handwashing sink in the back area.
• There is no covered refuse container for the disposal of feminine napkins in the women’s restroom.
• The following food items that are not easily identified by appearance were observed without a label: spices and herbs removed from original containers and placed in different food containers.
• There was no temperature measuring device located in the following cold or hot holding equipment: Superior 2dr upright cooler.

Pupuseria La Bendicion: 7849 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22306

Last inspection: Dec. 19

Violations:

• Observed that paper towels were not provided at the handwashing sink in the front.
• The following methods used for cooling were not adequate to facilitate proper cooling: drink mixture cooling on counter and covered tightly with plastic wrap.
• Observed that toilet tissue was not provided in the restroom.

McDonald's at Walmart: 7910 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22306

Last inspection: Dec. 11

Violations: No violations found.

Little Caesar's: 8246 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309

Last inspection: Dec. 11

Violations: No violations found.

Izalco Bar & Grill: 8403 E Richmond Hwy., Ste# 8403e, Alexandria, Va 22309

Last inspection: Dec. 19

Violations:

• Observed that toilet tissue was not provided in the men’s restroom.
• The following food items that are not easily identified by appearance were observed without a label: various spices and herbs on the stove.
• There is no covered refuse container for the disposal of feminine napkins in the ladies room stall.

Food Flame: 8634 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309

Last inspection: Dec. 5

Violations:

• Food employee(s) was observed handling the following ready-to-eat foods using their bare hands: naan bread and gyros.
• Observed in-use utensils stored in a container of water not maintained at a temperature of 135F or higher.
• Observed a container of curry thawing at room temperature.
• The following food items that are not easily identified by appearance were observed without a label: salts, flour, and spices.

Pizza Hut: 8640 A Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309

Last inspection: Dec. 5

Violations:

• Due to a lack of sanitizer, the low temperature, chemical sanitizing warewashing machine was observed with a sanitizing rinse concentration of less than 50 ppm chlorine solution. The CFM will pick up more sanitizer later in the day and send proof.
• The food establishment does not have written procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events.
• The person in charge is not able to provide a verbal or written policy for preventing the transmission of foodborne disease by an employee who has a disease or a medical condition.

McDonald's: 8735 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309

Last inspection: Dec. 5

Violations: No violations found.