Leesburg Health Inspections: Sidebar, Wei's Garden

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 Aug. 23 and Aug. 29.

COVID-19 restrictions around the state have relaxed, 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.

• Wei's Garden, 161 Fort Evans Rd NE #110 Leesburg, VA 20176-4420
  • Date inspected: Aug. 23
  • Total violations: 10
    • No verification of employee health training available onsite. Food employees are to be trained and to inform the person in charge, information about health activities related to diseases transmissible through food.
    • No written procedure available for the cleanup of vomiting or diarrhea. Food establishments are required to have written procedures for responding to vomiting or diarrheal events in order to prevent contamination to surfaces and others.
    • No hot water available at the handwash sink. The hand sink was blocked with a pan sitting in the sink. The hot water was shut off. Only cold water was available. Hand sinks are to be available at all times for handwashing only. Hot and cold water is to be provided to properly wash hands.
    • Many food items found uncovered inside the walk-in cooler. Foods are to be covered (once cooled and reach 41F internally) to protect from environmental contamination and cross contamination.
    • Foods made on site were not date labeled and held for more than 24 hours. Observed foods with signs of spoilage. Foods shall be discarded if the container or package does not bear a date or day marking.
    • No date labeling of foods prepared and held more than 24 hours. Foods prepared on site and held for more than 24 hours are required to be labeled with a date and discarded after 7 days. Day 1 is the day of preparation.
    • Observed single-service articles such as plastic containers, plastic utensils, and plastic shopping bags used to store foods and spices. Some plastic containers were cracked. Single-service articles shall not be reused.
    • Heavy food film buildup and debris on the shelves located in the walkin cooler.
    • A closet directly off the kitchen is used for sleeping. A cot, blankets and other personal items were observed inside the closet. Living or sleeping quarters shall be separated from areas used for food establishment operations by complete partitioning and solid self-closing doors.
    • Facility has an accumulation of old carboard, unused equipment and other debris throughout the kitchen.
• Goosecup Coffee, 216 S King St SE Leesburg, VA 20175
  
  • Date inspected: Aug. 23
  • Total violations: 1
    • Handwashing sink in kitchen does not have soap. Each handwashing sink needs to be stocked with soap. Person in charge replenished the soap. Corrected at inspection.
• Casa Tequila Bar & Grill, 1020-N East Main Street Purcellville, VA 20132
  
  • Date inspected: Aug. 23
  • Total violations: 2
    • Employee hand wash sink observed with food debris in basin. Employee handwash sink is to be used only for hand washing. Sink was cleaned out and returned to being used only for handwashing. Corrected.
    • Deflector in ice machine with accumulation of black residue. Maintain surfaces that ice comes into contact with clean to sight and touch.
• Leesburg Public House, 962 Edwards Ferry Rd NE Leesburg, VA 20176
  
  • Date inspected: Aug. 23
  • Total violations: 5
    • No paper towels available at the bar handwash sink. All handwash sinks shall be provided with drying provisions.
    • Observed food debris on the back side of the slices. Food contact surfaces shall be clean to sight and touch.
    • The following time temperature control for safety (TCS) food items were found improperly cold holding in the prep cooler to the left of the grill (internal temperatures): sliced tomatoes 53F, cut lettuce 46F, cooked mushrooms 46F, spinach 50F, sprouts 52F, raw salmon 50F, individual portions of raw shrimp 50F. The following TCS foods were found in the salad prep cooler improperly cold holding since the lunch rush (internal temperatures) two containers of cut lettuce 45F and sliced tomatoes 48F. TCS foods are required to be cold held at 41F or below to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
    • Consumer advisory is missing the asterisk for the Ceasar salad. Caesar salad dressing is made with raw eggs and customers are required to be notified with the reminder asterisk next to the menu item that corresponds with the advisory at the bottom of the menu.
    • Observed food debris on the shelving inside the walkin cooler.
• Monk's BBQ, 251 N. 21st Street Purcellville, VA 20132
  
  • Date inspected: Aug. 23
  • Total violations: 1
    • Observed at follow-up inspection coleslaw sitting on the prep unit counter in an ice bath cold holding at improper temperature (51F). Cold hold time/ temperature control for safety foods at 41F or below.
• New Yorker Pizzas, 828 South King St Leesburg, VA 20175
  
  • Date inspected: Aug. 24
  • Total violations: 5
    • Observed no hand drying provision at kitchen hand washing sink. Paper towel dispenser was observed empty. Ensure hand washing sinks are supplied at all times.
    • Observed raw chicken stored uncovered and the container sitting on top of ready-to-eat (RTE) produce in 2 door refrigeration unit. Also observed raw chicken over cooked ready--to-eat (RTE) chicken. Ensure raw animal proteins are stored in a manner that prevents potential cross contamination.
    • Observed slicer and cheese shredder in need of cleaning. Equipment was observed with leftover and built-up food residue. Ensure food contact surfaces of equipment are properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized.
    • Observed time as a public health control used for pizza slices not marked or otherwise identified with the time that is 4 hours past the point in time when the food was removed from temperature control.
    • Observed hood vent with the baffles not on while in operation and a build-up of grease residue inside the hood vent. Observed standing mixer in need of cleaning. Observed top of pizza oven in need of cleaning. Ensure nonfood contact surfaces are properly cleaned.
• Loudoun County Central Kitchen, 42020 Loudoun Center Place Leesburg, VA 20175
  
  • Date inspected: Aug. 24
  • Total violations: 2
    • Observed a container of meat sauce dated with a prepared by date of 8/14 in need of disposition. Food has exceeded the 7-day shelf life, with day 1 counting as the date the food was prepared.
    • Observed cove base in poor repair by the garbage disposal and sink area. Cove base was observed not secured on the wall. Also observed black like substance on the wall under the garbage disposal and sink area in need of cleaning.
• The Empress Tea Co, 737 E. Main Street Purcellville, VA 20132
  
  • Date inspected: Aug. 25
  • Total violations: 2
    • Paper towels were not available at handwash sink in the back prep area. Provide disposable hand towels at each handwashing hand sink. Person in charge provided hand towels.
    • Boba temperature in hot holding unit observed at 120F. Hot hold time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food at 135°F or above to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. Person in charge voluntarily discarded boba and replaced with new freshly cooked boba. Corrected at inspection.
• Wishbone Rotisserie, 9-D Catoctin Circle S.W. Leesburg, VA 20175
  
  • Date inspected: Aug. 25
  • Total violations: 3
    • Cookies are being purchased from an unapproved source. Discontinue selling these cookies. Food shall be obtained from an approved source. Person in charge is cosidereing making this product in the restaurant.
    • Whole muscle meat (packaged) being thawed in still water. Thaw time/temperature control for safety foods by one of the following methods: 1. Under refrigeration that maintains food temperature at 41 F or less, 2. Completely submerged under running water that is a) at a temperature of 70 F or below; b) with sufficient water velocity to agitate and float off loose particles in an overflow; c) for a period of time that does not allow thawed portions of ready-to-eat to exceed 41 F; d) for a period of time that does not allow portions of raw animal foods requiring cooking to exceed 41 F for more than four hours, or 3. As part of the cooking process.
    • Gasket on walk in refrigerator door has deteriorated and needs replaced to maintain a tight seal. Maintain gasket on walk-in refrigerator door in good repair-- able to maintain a tight seal to keep optimal temperature control within walk-in. Person in charge has ordered gasket for repair by service contractor.
• Chen's Garden, 9 Catoctin Cir Sw #2A Leesburg, VA 20175
  
  • Date inspected: Aug. 25
  • Total violations: 2
    • Restroom did not have disposable hand towels to dry hands. Provide paper towels at each hand sink to allow employees to properly dry their hands after handwashing. Prson in charge corrected by providing paper towels in restroom. Corrected.
    • Some accumulated food debris observed behind equipment and at juncture of floors and walls and behind cooking equipment. Clean floors, walls, and ceilings as often as necessary to keep them clean.
• Anchor Bar, 1609 Village Market Blvd SE Leesburg, VA 20175
  
  • Date inspected: Aug. 28
  • Total violations: 6
    • Observed no verify means that employees have been trained on the signs, symptoms, and exposures of foodborne illness and who to report to.
    • Observed no written procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events that involve the discharge of vomitus or fecal matter onto surfaces in the food establishment. The procedures shall address the specific actions employees must take to minimize the spread of contamination and the exposure of employees, consumers, food, and surfaces to vomitus or fecal matter.
    • Observed improper delivery temperatures of mixed greens 50F, spinach 50F refrigerated, time/temperature control for safety food shall be at a temperature of 41°F or below when received.
    • Observed the chemical dishwasher at 0 ppm of chlorine. The sanitizing level of chlorine should be between 50-100 ppm.
    • Observed no asterisk by hamburgers that are offered raw/under cooked. There should an asterisk by food that are offered raw/under cooked.
    • The chemical dishwasher is not equipped with an alarm to indicate low sanitizer levels. There must be a visual or audible alarm.
• North Spring Behavioral Healthcare, 42009 Victory Lane Leesburg, VA 20176
  
  • Date inspected: Aug. 28
  • Total violations: 1
    • Observed milk (52F), sliced ham (56F), and milk (48F) cold holding at improper temperature in 1 door refrigeration unit. Also observed sliced ham (45F), sliced turkey (46F), and cut melon (44F) cold holding at improper temperature on ice by the serving line. Cold hold time/temperature control for safety foods at 41F or below.
• Taipei Cafe, 946 Edwards Ferry Rd Leesburg, VA 20175
  
  • Date inspected: Aug. 28
  • Total violations: 2
    • Observed employee after handling raw chicken wash their hands in a 2 compartment sink without soap. Ensure employees are properly trained on when and where to properly wash their hands.
    • Observed food stored on the floor in the walk-in cooler. Also observed chicken being prepared and the container sitting on top of an in-use trash can. Ensure food is stored at least 6 inches off the ground and protected from potential contamination.
• Hot Wok, 1020 E. Main St Unit M Purcellville, VA 20132
  
  • Date inspected: Aug. 29
  • Total violations: 2
    • A large tray is being stored above employee hand wash sink in kitchen. A hand washing sink shall be maintained so that it is accessible at all times for employee use.
    • Observed: raw marinated beef i sstored below raw marinated chicken. Raw animal foods shall be sorted by their "type" and cooking temperatures while in storage inside a refrigerator or freezer. For example, if using ONE shelving unit for storage of ONLY raw foods, the foods shall be sorted in this manner: 1) raw poultry (chicken, turkey, or duck) shall be stored on the BOTTOM shelf (165°F cook temperature), 2) raw ground beef and ground pork shall be stored on the shelf above poultry (155°F cook temperature), and 3) raw pork (chops, ribs), seafood, and eggs shall be stored on the top shelf above beef (145°F cook temperature).
• Sidebar, 24 South King Street Leesburg, VA 20175
  
  • Date inspected: Aug. 29
  • Total violations: 11
    • The Person In Charge (PIC) is not ensuring employees are properly maintaining the temperatures of time/temperature control for safety food during cold holding through daily oversight of the employees routine monitoring of food temperatures. Observed the walk-in refrigeration unit not maintaining time/temperature control for safety foods at 41F or below. Also observed 1 door refrigeration unit not maintaining time/ temperature control for safety foods at 41F or below. The Person In Charge (PIC) is not ensuring employees are properly sanitizing cleaned multiuse equipment and utensils before they are reused, through routine monitoring of chemical dish machine. Dish machine observed at 0 PPM chlorine and in use at time of inspection. The dish machine was also observed out of detergent at time of inspection.
    • Observed no hand drying provision at kitchen hand washing sink. Hand washing sinks shall be supplied at all times.
    • Observed bar hand washing sink blocked by a strainer. Hand washing sinks shall be used for hand washing only.
    • Observed kitchen dish machine in use at time of inspection not properly washing and sanitizing wares. Dish machine observed with no detergent and 0 PPM chlorine. Ensure wares are properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized.
    • Observed walk in refrigeration unit not properly cold holding time/ temperature control for safety foods. Observed Veggie burger (49F), cooked pasta (51F), mashed potatoes (52F), buffalo chicken dip (49F), milk (42F), milk (48F) cold holding at improper temperatures in the walk in. Also observed 1 door refrigeration unit not properly cold holding time/ temperature control for safety foods. Pico de gallo (45F), prepared soup (56F), mashed potatoes (55F), and rives (50F) cold holding at improper temperatures in the 1 door refrigeration unit. Cold hold time/temperature control for safety foods at 41F or below.
    • Observed chemical spray bottles not labeled with the common name of the material. Working containers used for storing poisonous or toxic materials such as cleaners and sanitizers taken from bulk supplies shall be clearly and individually identified with the common name of the material.
    • Observed ambient air thermometer for the walk-in refrigerator broken, unable to give an accurate temperature.
    • Observed several flies throughout the facility. Also observed several drain flies present at the bar area. The presence of insects, rodents, and other pests shall be controlled to minimize their presence on the premises.
    • Observed the exterior door in the coffee shop area to not be tight fitting. Door observed with significant amount of daylight at the base of the door. Also observed the door propped open in the ware washing room and flies present in the area. Ensure outer openings of a food establishment shall be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by tight fitting doors. If the windows or doors of a food establishment, or of a larger structure within which a food establishment is located, are kept open for ventilation or other purposes, the openings shall be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by: 16 mesh to 1-inch (16 mesh to 25.4 mm) screens; Properly designed and installed air curtains to control flying insects; or other effective means.
    • Observed plumbing under the 3-compartment sink leaking. The middle compartment was observed heavily leaking onto the ground when filled.
    • Observed floor tile in the ware washing area cracked and broken in several places. The floor is no longer smooth and easily cleanable. Observed the wall behind the dish machine to be damaged and no longer smooth and easily cleanable. Observed ceiling paint peeling above the dish machine.
• Melt Gourmet Cheeseburgers, 525-J East Market Street Leesburg, VA 20176
  
  • Date inspected: Aug. 29
  • Total violations: 1
    • Observed chemical spray bottle not labeled with the common name of the chemical. Working containers used for storing poisonous or toxic materials such as cleaners and sanitizers taken from bulk supplies shall be clearly and individually identified with the common name of the material.
• Sabor Latino, 24-A Plaza Street Leesburg, VA 20176
  
  • Date inspected: Aug. 29
  • Total violations: 2
    • Observed pre-packaged wrapped quesadilla de arroz salvadoreña for sale at counter. This is a repeat violation. The facility does not make the product. No business name or address is listed on the label, only the name of the product and the ingredients. Person in Charge could not provide information that this source is approved or the name of business.
    • Observed raw beef thawing improperly at room temperature. Potentially hazardous foods (time/temperature control for safety food) shall be thawed using one of the following methods: 1) under refrigeration that maintains the food temperature at 41°F or less, 2) completely submerged under running water at a water temperature of 70°F or below with a sufficient velocity to agitate and float off loose particles of food as long as held for period of time at a temperature of 41°F or less, or 3) as part of a cooking process if the food is cooked as specified by Law or thawed in a microwave oven and immediately transferred to a conventional cooking process.
• Patrick Henry College Dining 2 @ Bon Appetit, 10 Patrick Henry Circle Purcellville, VA 20132
  
  • Date inspected: Aug. 29
  • Total violations: 1
    • Hand soap at handwash sink on main level 3 behin 3 compartment sink was empty. Cleanser needs to be available at each handwash station. Person in charge refilled dispenser. Corrected at inspection.

The following facilities did not record any violations:

• Travinia Italian Kitchen @ Leesburg
• Starbucks
• Loudoun County Adult Detention Center
• Noodles & Company #442
• Fields of Athenry & Side Saddle Bistro
• Loudoun County High School Concession (Outdoor)
• Loudoun County High School Concession (Indoor)
• Ledo Pizza
• Starbucks
• Heritage High School Concession (Outdoor)
• Heritage High School Concession (Indoor)
• A.T. Eats
• Sakura Japanese Steakhouse