Rodent Droppings Spotted At Restaurant: See Alexandria Health Inspections

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Some restaurants in Alexandria recorded violations during recent health department inspections in late April.

Health inspectors conduct most restaurant, school, child care center and other health inspections in person. However, some visits, such as those for training purposes, can be conducted virtually.
Violations 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. Other violations are addressed later, and an inspector may conduct a follow-up inspection to ensure compliance.

Here are the most recent inspections from Alexandria, according to the Alexandria Health Department. Some restaurants received perfect inspection results, either from follow-up inspections to correct violations or from routine health inspector visits. Of note, Kiln had 11 violations, including rodent droppings. Health inspectors recommended routine inspecting for presence of pests.

Another violation was dishes with heavy food residue or grease stored in a clean dish area at a Pizza Hut. Some violations were spotted at multiple places, such as improper cooling or thawing methods.

Flavor Hive 6: 5249 Duke St Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: April 29

Violations: No violations found. Truck will currently serve out of the Annandale location.

America's Best Wings: 2320 Richmond Hwy Alexandria, VA 22301

Last inspection: April 29

Violations:

• Fish and shrimp observed stored in direct contact with undrained ice.
• Mops were not stored in a position that allows them to air-dry without soiling walls, equipment, or supplies.

Starbucks Coffee #701: 532 King St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: April 29

Violations: No violations found.

The Coffee Room: 205 S Whiting St 100 Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: April 29

Violations: No violations found.

Italian Place: 621 Wythe St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: April 29

Violations: No violations found.

Tatte Bakery & Cafe: 515 King Street, Alexandria, VA, USA Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: April 29

Violations:

• The following equipment/utensils were observed soiled to sight and touch: deli slicer blade and can opener blade.

Jimmy John's: 330 John Carlyle St, Unit 140 Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: April 29

Violations:

• Observed no employee with a valid certified food protection manager certificate.

Woodstock Cafe: 99 Canal Center Plz G-1 Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: April 29

Violations: No violations found. The prep unit was serviced and is now cold holding appropriately. Please continue to monitor the unit on a daily basis and ensure that the refrigerator is working properly (below 41 F).

Pizza Hut #037423: 1049 W. Glebe Rd Alexandria, VA 22305

Last inspection: April 28

Violations:

• Observed employee change tasks during inspection and not wash hands as he moved to food preparation.
• Four dishes were observed soiled with heavy food residue or grease and stored away in clean dish area.

Starbucks Coffee #11824: 1901 Ballenger Ave Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: April 25

Violations: No violations found.

Sisters Thai: 503 Montgomery St. Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: April 25

Violations: No violations found. Previous violations were addressed.

Misha's Coffee: 917 King St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: April 25

Violations:

• Dispensing and/or in-use utensils improperly stored between use as follows: ice scoop laying on the ice.

Hard Times Cafe: 1404 King St Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Last inspection: April 24

Violations:

• The handwashing stations at the front grill area and the back prep area are being used for purposes other than washing hands. Observed food debris and pieces of equipment in sinks.
• The following food item(s) for which time rather than temperature is being used as a control was 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. Cooked noodles and blanched fries on the counter were not labeled with a discard by time
• Food containers for cooling food are arranged so as not to allow for maximum heat transfer. Observed cooling rice portioned out into bags and stuffed tightly into a plastic container.
• Observed improper methods used to thaw food. Observed frozen ribs defrosting at room temp on the bar.
• Openings to the exterior of the building are present in the upstairs warewash area. Large holes in ceiling.
• Dispensing and/or in-use utensils improperly stored between use as follows: observed a cup being used as an ice scoop and stored on top of ice.

Eddie's Little Shop & Deli: 1406 King St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: April 24

Violations:

• Food containers for cooling food are arranged so as not to allow for maximum heat transfer. Observed containers of TCS foods tightly covered with saran wrap while cooling.

Hangry Joe's Hot Chicken: 277 S. Van Dorn St Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: April 24

Violations:

• Observed dispensing utensil for rice stored in standing water at 88°F.
• The following nonfood contact surfaces had an accumulation of grime and debris: -Table under fryer oil -Exterior and interior of refrigerators and freezers -Exterior of prep refrigerator.

Scramble: 5412 Eisenhower Ave. Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: April 24

Violations:

• Please redo the coving in the kitchen. Observed several areas where it was coming apart.
• Ensure food received from your other properties are under temperature control.
• Monitor the 3 door glass upright and make sure it is cold-holding below 41 F.

Java Loco: 289 S. Van Dorn St Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: April 24

Violations:

• Food thermometer was not available to take food temperatures.
• Ambient air thermometers were not provided in all refrigerators.
• The door gasket to the 2-door reach in refrigerator was in disrepair.

Noodle Box: 602 King St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: April 23

Violations:

• The following foods were observed above 41°F: fried tofu (50°F), chicken wing (50°F) in the fry prep unit.
• Openings to the exterior of the building are present along the sides and bottom of back door.
• The following mechanical refrigeration unit is not currently operating as required to cold hold food at a temperature of 41°F or less: fry prep unit at 52 deg F.

Executive Diner: 1400 Duke St. Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: April 23

Violations:

• The food contact surfaces of the circular blade on the deli slicer in the daycare kitchen were observed to be soiled. Food debris was visible.
• French fries were on a time policy but the PIC forgot to label the item today. It was measured at 74 F and was placed outside a few hours ago. Other items on a time policy were not out during the inspection.
• Observed several containers of blanched fries/potatoes in plastic containers in the WIC, covered. The fries were still in the process of cooling and it was only 1.5 hours since they were made.

Red Rock Pizza: 904 King St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: April 23

Violations: No violations found. Received via email pictures of the menu with the updated consumer advisory.

Kisso Asian Bistro: 300 King St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: April 23

Violations: No violations found. Do not tightly cover cooling foods.

TB Cantina #34274: 417 King St. Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: April 23

Violations: No violations found.

Ben'yays: 1028 King St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: April 23

Violations: No violations found. Routinely change pest traps, especially in the basement.

Frank Pepe's Pizzeria Napoletana: 3231 Duke St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: April 23

Violations: No violations found. The establishment was closed to the public due to deep cleaning the pizza oven and establishment today. All gaskets were washed as well so temperatures were a little higher than usual. TCS foods were placed in the WIC for cool down.

Kiln: 699 Prince St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: April 22

Violations:

• Observed that paper towels were not provided at each handwashing sink.
• Observed that hand soap was not provided at each handwashing sink. Bar hand sink without working soap bottle.
• The tags for the molluscan shellfish are not being retained for 90 days. Observed tags from 10/2024 - 12/2024, but none for 2025. There were shell stock in the WIC.
• The date on which the last shellstock from the container is sold or served was not recorded on the tag or label.
• The following equipment/utensils were observed soiled: deli slicer blade had old food debris on it.
• The water temperature in the high temperature warewashing machines was below the minimum allowable level of 180ºF (and the surface temperature of the dish was not reaching 160ºF). Main dish machine did not reach 160ºF surface temp or 180ºF final rinse temp.
• The following TCS food items were observed above 41°F: cooked potatoes (58) in the WIC, cooked egg (50) on the table top prep, par cooked broccoli (67) on the stove.
• The following food is packaged using a sous vide process, but the food establishment has not implemented a HACCP plan: catfish and other meats.
• The premises is not being routinely inspected for the presence of insects, rodents, and other pests. Observed rodent feces in the basement storage area behind shelving, along where the floor meets the wall.
• An irreversible registering temperature indicator is not provided for the high temp dish machines.
• There is no test kit located in the facility for monitoring the concentration of the chemical sanitizing solution. No chlorine test strips available.

Pizza Hut #37435: 5145 Duke St A Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: April 22

Violations: No violations were observed.-As a reminder, keep the pathway to the handwashing sink in the back clear.

Momo Sushi: 212 Queen St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: April 22

Violations:

• Food containers for cooling food are arranged so as not to allow for maximum heat transfer. Observed raw salmon and other fish in the 1 door cooler, tightly covered with plastic wrap and still cooling.
• Observed improper methods used to thaw food. ROP packaged tuna observed thawing in original packaging and not cut open.

Starbucks Coffee #8136: 2459 Eisenhower Ave Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: April 22

Violations: No violations found. Please obtain an irreversible registering thermometer or temperature test strips for the high temp dish machine.

RT's Restaurant: 3804 Mt. Vernon Ave Alexandria, VA 22305

Last inspection: April 22

Violations:

Working containers were not labeled with common name of food.