Leesburg Health Inspections: Gyro Kitchen, Loudoun Country Club

LEESBURG, VA — Several restaurants around Leesburg and western Loudoun County recorded violations during recent inspections from the health department. Inspectors conducted the most recent restaurant visits between Oct. 4 and Oct. 10.

COVID-19 restrictions around the state have disappeared, so health inspectors have returned to conduct most restaurant inspections in person. However, some visits, such as those for training purposes, can be conducted virtually.

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 the Leesburg area, according to the Loudoun County Health Department.

• Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, 1607 Village Market Blvd #100 Leesburg, VA 20175
  • Date inspected: Oct. 4
  • Total violations: 2
    • Observed improper cold holding temperature of deviled egg yolks 45F prep cooler 1 and diced tomatoes 45F in prep cooler 2. Foods held cold should be maintained at 41F or below.
    • Observed no way to test the temperature of the high temperature dishwasher. Obtain a way to test the temperature of the high temperature dishwasher.
• El Rancho Plus, 101-C Maple Ave Purcellville, VA 20132
  • Date inspected: Oct. 4
  • Total violations: 1
    • Observed beef (47F), chicken (54F) and cut tomato (48F) cold holding at improper temperature in the prep unit. Cold hold time/temperature control for safety foods at 41F or below.
• The Branch, 49 Catoctin Circle SE Leesburg, VA 20175
  • Date inspected: Oct. 5
  • Total violations: 2
    • Raw battered onion rings stored below raw fish underneath prep table. Store TCS food items according to required final cook temperature: raw fish should be stored below battered raw onion rings. Person in Charge (PIC) relocated raw fish to be stored underneath battered onion rings. Corrected at inspection.
    • Hot holding temperature of chili at steam table is below required (135F) temperature. Maintain hot holding temperature of TCS foods at 135F or above. PIC reheated said food item to 165 for hot holding. Corrected at inspection.
• Gyro Kitchen Express, 241 Fort Evans Rd NE Leesburg, VA 20176
  • Date inspected: Oct. 5
  • Total violations: 6
    • There is no certified food protection manager available during inspection.At least one employee with supervisory and management responsibility and authority to direct and control food preparation and service shall be a certified food protection manager. Attain a certificate for a certified food protection manager.
    • Not all food handling employees have a verifiable employee health policy (1b form) indicating that they have been trained in the signs and symptoms of foodborne illness. Provide a verifiable employee health policy for each food handling employee. Follow up item.
    • Employee hand wash sink in the kitchen is blocked with containers not allowing handwashing. Unblock hand wash sink for employees to adequately wash hands.
    • Marinated chicken, milk and chicken nuggets were above required cold hold temperature. Maintain TCS refrigerated items at 41F or below. PIC relocated said food items to a properly functioning refrigeration unit.
    • Hand sanitizer and glass cleaner observed stored on food dry storage shelving. Store toxic items below or away from food items. PIC relocated toxics to be stored with other toxic items.
    • Refrigeration unit holding several TCS food items is not maintaining said items at 41F or below. Maintain refrigeration unit to maintain TCS food items at an internal temperature of 41F or below. Follow up item.
• McCawley Coffee Roasters Company, 241 Fort Evans Rd NE Leesburg, VA 20176
  • Date inspected: Oct. 6
  • Total violations: 2
    • Observed bottles of water, soda, and gallon containers of water stored directly on floor. The physical facilities shall be constructed of smooth and easily cleanable surfaces.
    • Observed door frame and floor blocks used to elevate equipment. The physical facilities shall be constructed of smooth and easily cleanable surfaces.
• Loudoun Golf & Country Club, 36967 West Main St Purcellville, VA 20132
  • Date inspected: Oct. 6
  • Total violations: 4
    • Observed this facility to not have a Certified Food Protection Manager. At least one employee with supervisory and management responsibility and the authority to direct and control food preparation and service shall be a certified food protection manager, demonstrating proficiency of required knowledge and information through passing a test that is part of an accredited program.
    • Observed 3 gallons of milk with a sell by date of 10/5. Also observed 1 gallon of milk with a sell by date of 9/27. Ensure grade A standards are met and the fluid milk products are used by the sell by date.
    • Observed slicer in need of cleaning. Blade was observed with leftover food residue. Ensure food contact surfaces are cleaned and sanitized at properly frequency.
    • Observed foods cold holding at improper temperatures in prep unit on ice. Cold hold time/temperature control for safety foods at 41F or below.
• Bubble Tea & Wafflery, 241 Fort Evans Rd NE Leesburg, VA 20176
  • Date inspected: Oct. 7
  • Total violations: 3
    • Chlorine sanitizer at spray bottle observed in excess of 200ppm. Sanitizer solution shall be prepared and used at the proper concentration, 50-100ppm and shall be tested every time.
    • Hand sink bowl not sealed to counter. Ensure bowl is tightly sealed to counter for cleanability.
    • Exposed wood observed throughout kitchen to include shelving and beams. All surfaces shall be made of smooth, durable and easily cleanable materials.

The following facilities did not record any violations:

• Harmony Middle School
• Heritage High School
• Popeye's Restaurant
• Kenneth W. Culbert Elementary School
• Cool Springs Elementary School
• Manos Limenas Catering(Chefscape Leesburg)
• Dairy Queen
• Taco Bell #036545
• Casa De Avila Tacos (Chefscape Leesburg)
• Mama Spice (Chefscape Leesburg)