Route 1 Restaurant Inspections: Sewage In Wall, Moldy Cheese

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, Mount Vernon and Woodlawn in August and September. One of the notable results was at Popeye's, where sewage was seeping from a wall. Another result was at Las Veguitas II Restaurant, where moldy shredded cheese was found.

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.

Green Olive Buffet & Grill: 7405 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22306

Last inspection: Sept. 22

Violations: No violations found.

FK Pizza: 7475 Mount Vernon Square Ctr., Alexandria, Va 22306

Last inspection: Sept. 5

Violations: No violations found.

KFC: 7521 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22306

Last inspection: Aug. 31

Violations: No violations found.

Mamma's Kitchen: 7601 Fordson Rd, Alexandria, Va 22306

Last inspection: Aug. 24

Violations: No violations found.

Moe's Southwest Grill: 7698 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22306

Last inspection: Sept. 28

Violations:

• Observed that paper towels were not provided at each handwashing sink.

Noodles & Company: 7702 B Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22306

Last inspection: Sept. 14

Violations: No violations found.

China 1: 7700 F Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22306

Last inspection: Sept. 21

Violations:

• Observed that hand soap was not provided at each handwashing sink.

Paisano's Pizza: 7711 Fordson Rd., Alexandria, Va 22306

Last inspection: Sept. 20

Violations: No violations found.

Golden Buffet and Grill: 7820 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22306

Last inspection: Aug. 23

Violations:

• Observed cleaning chemicals stored next to clean food trays.
• Observed the handsink at the sushi bar being used for cleaning utensils.
• The following food item(s) for which time rather than temperature is used as a control is not marked or otherwise identified to indicate the time that is 4 hours past the point in time when the food is removed from temperature control: sushi rolls.
• No records of freezing for parasite destruction are maintained for the following raw, raw marinated, partially cooked or marinated-partially cooked fish that are served or sold in ready to-eat form: tilapia, salmon, and tuna. The parasite destruction form is not available onsite.

Popeye's: 7832 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22306

Last inspection: Aug. 23

Violations:

• The following food item(s) were observed hot holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, red beans, gravy, chicken tenders, ghost pepper chicken.
• Observed sewage seeping from the base of the wall at the entrance to the food serving area.
• The exterior dumpsters used to store refuse/recyclables have no drain plugs.
• Encrusted grease deposits and/or other soil deposits were observed on the food contact surfaces of the following cooking equipment: bottom of the biscuit refrigeration unit.
• Observed excessive grease buildup on the floor under the cook line, as well as dirt accumulation on the ceiling of the walk-in cooler.
• The following hot-holding unit is not operating properly and is unable to maintain hot food at or above 135F: Steam cabinet.

La Taza Bakery: 7850 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22306

Last inspection: Sept. 25

Violations:

• The following food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: whole milk at 45F.
• Observed boxes of cooking oil and single-service items on the floor throughout the kitchen.

Tacos El Costalilla: 7862 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22306

Last inspection: Aug. 24

Violations:

• The following food item(s) were observed hot holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: shredded chicken and pork.
• The following food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: beans and rice.
• Observed a spray bottle (cleaner for tables) with no label.
• Observed insufficient hot water at the 3-compartment sink. The hot water did not reach 110F or higher.
• The following methods used for cooling were not adequate to facilitate proper cooling: a large amount of food in containers were sitting at room temperature to cool.
• Observed that the ceiling vent in the kitchen has an accumulation of grease and dirt.
• Observed that the ventilation hood system is not pulling in enough air.
• There is no covered refuse container for the disposal of feminine napkins in the ladies room stall.
• Observed a tub of meat stored on the floor of the walk-in cooler.
• The food-contact surfaces of the following equipment and/or utensils are not durable: the cardboard and aluminum foil liners on shelving, in the walk-in cooler, and in the storage area.
• Observed the following food thawing using an improper method: soaking frozen meat in water to thaw.
• Wet wiping cloths used for wiping counters and other equipment surfaces were observed stored on the counter.
• Observed that the ceiling vent in the walk-in cooler has a leak and it is leaking over the stored food. Shelving in the wall-in cooler is rusted and needs to be resurfaced, repainted, or replaced

Best Pollo Latino: 7849 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22306

Last inspection: Sept. 25

Violations:

• Observed that paper towels were not provided at the handwashing sink near the register.
• Observed tomato sauce stored in milk jugs in the walk-in cooler.

Pupuseria 7 Taqueria Mana: 8166 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309

Last inspection: Sept. 25

Violations:

• The following food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: half and half at 48F.
• Observed that hand soap was not provided at the handwashing sink in the kitchen.
• Observed that paper towels were not provided at the handwashing sink in the kitchen.
• Observed a Consumer Advisory on the menu, but no asterisk or indication on individual dishes with raw/undercooked foods.
• Observed boxes of cooking oil and bags of produce on the floor in the kitchen storage area.

Shah's Halal Food: 8256 B Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309

Last inspection: Sept. 27

Violations:

• The following food item(s) were observed hot holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: black beans at 100F. It was just placed in the steam well so it was not sitting at this temperature for very long.
• Observed the handsink near the grill being used to dump food.

Las Veguitas II Restaurant: 8428 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309

Last inspection: Sept. 27

Violations:

• Observed shredded cheese with mold in one of the refrigerators.
• Observed empty glasses inside the handsink at the bar.
• There is no Certified Food Manager present in the establishment.
• The following food items that are not easily identified by appearance were observed without a label: salt, oils, and spices in plastic containers near the steam
• wells.

Firehouse Subs: 8628 A Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309

Last inspection: Aug. 15

Violations:

• There is no Certified Food Manager present at the beginning of the inspection.
• Observed that containers of poisonous and toxic materials or personal care items do not have legible manufacturer's labels.
• Observed that there is a missing ceiling tile and visible water damage outside the restrooms.
• The interior surfaces of the mechanical warewashing machine are soiled with limescale that may decrease the effectiveness of the unit.
• Wet wiping cloths used for wiping counters and other equipment surfaces were observed stored on the counter.

Chef Huang's Restaurant: 8638 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309

Last inspection: Sept. 27

Violations: No violations found.

Dunkin: 8702 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, Va 22309

Last inspection: Aug. 28

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. A complete employee health policy is required to be in place at the food establishment. At the time of this inspection, the Health Department provided and reviewed handouts and resource information in a red folder labeled 'Employee Health Policy.'
• A food employee failed to wash his or her hands before engaging in food preparation, after touching bare human body parts, after coughing, sneezing, eating, after handling soiled utensils, or after engaging in any activity that could contaminate the hands.
• The food establishment does not have written procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events.
• There is no certified food manager on duty and the person in charge failed to explain the responsibility, rights, and authorities assigned by this Code to the person in charge.
• It shall be unlawful to operate a food establishment unless it is under the immediate control of a certified food manager who has shown proficiency through passing an accredited examination.

Postres Victoria: 8704 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309

Last inspection: Aug. 15

Violations:

• The following food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: cut watermelon, cottage cheese, whole milk, meringue, and crepe mix in the reach-in cooler under the refrigerated prep table.
• The following refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food that is prepared on site is not used or discarded within 24 hours of preparation and was not observed to be date marked: meringue.
• A wet wiping cloth used for wiping counters and other equipment surfaces was observed stored in the hand sink and not in a sanitizing solution.
• The nonfood-contact surfaces of the following equipment had accumulations of grime and debris: the rubber gaskets in the reach-cooler under the refrigerated prep table.
• Observed that the floor throughout the facility is in need of cleaning.
• The following food items that are not easily identified by appearance were observed without a label: bulk food containers.
• Observed that the wall in the back kitchen is not maintained in good repair.
• The following refrigeration unit is not operating properly and is unable to maintain cold food at or below 41F: refrigerated prep table.
• There was no temperature measuring device located in the following cold or hot holding equipment: refrigerated prep table.

China Cafe: 8740 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309

Last inspection: Sept. 22

Violations:

• There is no Certified Food Manager present at the beginning of the inspection.
• Single-service items were observed reused for the storage of nuts, spices, and seasoning.
• Observed containers/cardboard boxes of food on the floor of the walk-in cooler.
• The following food items that are not easily identified by appearance were observed without a label: soy sauce, chili oil, and other cooking oils in walk-in cooler.

La Colmena: 8746 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, Va 22309

Last inspection: Sept. 22

Violations:

• There is no Certified Food Manager present at the beginning of the inspection.
• The operator could not locate test strips for the chemical sanitizing solution during the inspection.
• Observed ice cream scoops and other utensils improperly stored in between use in containers of water that was not running or hot enough.
• There is no covered refuse container for the disposal of feminine napkins in the ladies room stall.

Tandoori Kabob and Grill: 8792 H Sacramento Dr., Alexandria, Va 22309

Last inspection: Sept. 28

Violations: No violations found.

Thai Nakorn Restaurant: 8733 F Cooper Rd., Alexandria, Va 22309

Last inspection: Sept. 28

Violations: No violations found.

El Paso Mexican Restaurant: 8746 Cooper Rd., Alexandria, Va 22309

Last inspection: Sept. 28

Violations:

• The following food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: cooked beef chunks at 47F.
• Observed buckets of beans/sauce on the floor of the walk-in freezer.

Su Pollo Restaurant: 8741 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309

Last inspection: Sept. 12

Violations:

• The hot water at the hand sinks is insufficient and not registering to at least 100F.
• The temperature of the in-use wash water solution was observed at less than 110F.
• Single-service items were observed reused for the storage of seasoning, nuts, and other food items.
• Observed aluminum foil covering the bottom of a shelving unit, as well as a shredded plastic covering on another shelf.

Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309

Last inspection: Sept. 19

Violations:

• The following food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: cooked rice @ 45F in prep top cooler near the grill, raw marinated pork loins at 48F in drawer under grill.
• The following methods used for cooling were not adequate to facilitate proper cooling: container of mashed sweet potatoes sitting at room temperature (<1 hour).
• Observed that paper towels were not provided at the handwashing sink at the bar.

Mount Vernon Inn Food Court: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Alexandria, Va 22309

Last inspection: Sept. 19

Violations:

• When tested, the low temperature, chemical sanitizing warewashing machine was observed with a sanitizing rinse concentration of less than 50 ppm chlorine solution.
• Observed various cases of drinks and boxes of food stored on the floor.