Debris Buildup On Soda Nozzles, More Violations: Alexandria Restaurant Inspections

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Some facilities in Alexandria recorded violations during recent health department inspections in March.

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. There were no pest violations in these recent results, but some common violations were foods cold holding at improper temperatures, soiled utensils and beverage nozzles not properly cleaned.

Ocean Blui Grill: 1033 W Glebe Rd Alexandria, VA 22305

Last inspection: March 20

Violations:

Reduced oxygen packaged fish observed fully thawed and still in sealed packaging.

Spice Life: 3616 King St Alexandria, VA 22302

Last inspection: March 20 (pre-opening)

Violations:

No violations found. Recommended issuance of Health Department permit. Correct the following prior to opening: all hand wash stations must have a sign reminding employees to wash their hands, paper towels and soap, all bathrooms need a covered trash can, walk in freezer needs to be fixed and maintaining proper temperatures.

Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato: 111 S Payne St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: March 18

Violations: No violations found.

Dolce and Bean: 2003 A Mt. Vernon Ave Alexandria, VA 22301

Last inspection: March 18

Violations:

• The following time/temperature control for safety food was observed cold holding above 41F: Cheese Cake 50F.
• The following refrigeration unit was observed with an ambient temperature above 41F: Display Case 50F.

Noodles & Company #411: 3105 Duke St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: March 17

Violations:

• Observed raw chicken and breaded chicken cold holding above 50 F in the drawers unit.
• The chicken drawers unit was cold-holding above 41 F.

Del Ray Cafe: 205 E. Howell Ave Alexandria, VA 22301

Last inspection: March 14

Violations: No violations found.

Hola Habibi: 5830 Mt Vernon Dr Alexandria, VA 22303

Last inspection: March 13 (pre-opening)

Violations: No violations found.

La Fromagerie: 1222 King St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: March 12

Violations:

• The following equipment/utensils were observed soiled to sight and touch: deli slicer blades.
• The chemical sanitizer generated by a device located on-site at the food establishment is not operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Dish machine observed at 0 ppm for chlorine sanitizer. The machine is not pulling sanitizer correctly.

Misha's Coffee: 6 Prince St. Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: March 11

Violations: No violations found. The upstairs bar dish machine was observed not reading at the proper chemical sanitization level. However, this dish machine is not used during the week. Swap out the sanitizer and test to ensure it reads between 50-100 ppm prior to using.

Nighthawk Grill & Deli: 5000 Dawes Ave Alexandria, VA 22311

Last inspection: March 11

Violations: No violations. EHS attempted to do an inspection but the location temporarily closed due to the hood system needing maintenance.

Popeyes: 25 S. Pickett St Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: March 11

Violations: No violations found.

Capo Deli: 109 N. Washington St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: March 11

Violations:

• The following food items were observed above 41°F: raw chicken cutlet (51°F) and provolone cheese (45°F) in the right prep unit.

Blackwall Hitch: 5 Cameron St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: March 11

Violations:

• The handwashing station at the server station is being used to rinse jugs.
• The following equipment/utensils were observed soiled to sight and touch: can opener blade heavily soiled.
• Observed that mops are improperly stored between use. Sitting in mop sink not hung up.

DC Pizza and Kabob: 3406 Commonwealth Ave Alexandria, VA 22305

Last inspection: March 11

Violations: No violations found. Quaternary Ammonium dispenser needs to be repaired. Only use chlorine as your sanitizer at this time until dispenser is repaired. Obtain quaternary ammonium strips if you plan to use this sanitizer.

Stracci Pizza: 106 Hume Ave Alexandria, VA 22301

Last inspection: March 10

Violations: No violations found. Ensure consistency with labeling of working containers with name of food.

Benny Diforza's: 1504-B Mt. Vernon Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: March 10

Violations: No violations found.

Trademark: 400 Courthouse Sq Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: March 10

Violations: No violations found.

For Five Coffee Roasters: 1800 Diagonal Rd Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: March 10

Violations:

• 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. Observed spinach and cheese pies and ham and cheese croissants both stored on the counter top, out of temperature control.

Turkish Coffee Lady: 1001 King St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: March 7

Violations: No violations found.

Trattoria da Franco: 305 S. Washington St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: March 7

Violations:

• The following foods were observed without the proper consumer advisory disclosure: steak, salmon, raw shellstock, and other foods that can be ordered undercooked.

Los Tios Grill ( Van Dorn): 241 S Van Dorn Alexandria, Virginia 22304

Last inspection: March 6

Violations: No violations found.

Wing Zone: 4110 Mt. Vernon Ave Alexandria, VA 22305

Last inspection: March 6

Violations:

• No certified food manager on site.

Feru Bar and Restaurant: 512 S. Van Dorn St- D Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: March 6

Violations: No violations found.

Scuttlebutt Bakeshop: 1536 Kenwood Ave Alexandria, VA 22302

Last inspection: March 6

Violations: No violations found.

Mai Thai Restaurant: 6 King St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: March 6

Violations:

• Unlabeled food containers with the following food items that are not easily identified by appearance: salt and other spices near the woks.

Daniel O'Connell's Restaurant: 112 King St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: March 6

Violations:

• Surfaces of beverage dispensing nozzles are not being cleaned as required. Observed soda gun nozzles with heavy build up of debris.
• Observed the following hot foods below 135°F: mashed potatoes (90°F) and buffalo sauce (120°F).

Whiskey & Oyster: 301 John Carlyle St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: March 6

Violations:

• Observed clam and mussel shellstock tags not being retained and no date recorded on the the few tags that were retained. Oyster tags were all recorded properly and retained.
• Observed TCS food in the cookline-right refrigeration unit cold holding above 41 F. Observed she crab soup in the WIC and pasta in the cookline-left cooler cold holding above 41 F as well.
• Observed a few containers of food like linguini and duck being cooled while being fully covered.
• The cookline-right unit was cold holding above 41 F.

Blazin Craft Burger and Wings: 1033 W. Glebe Rd Alexandria, Virginia 22305

Last inspection: March 6

Violations: No violations found. Post ServSafe and permit on the wall. Ensure hand washing sink is properly sealed. Frozen fish in reduced oxygen packaging must be cut open at the beginning of the thawing process.

Sandar Sushi: 5778 Dow Ave Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: March 5

Violations:

• Certified Food Protection Manager was not present during inspection.
• A written agreement or statement from the supplier was not provided to verify that fish served raw or undercooked undergo a parasite destruction freezing process, or is aquacultured and pellet-fed.
• Consumer advisory was not provided on the menu for fish that is served raw or undercooked.
• Observed improper thawing of raw fish stored in reduced oxygen packaging (ROP) by the supplier.
• Observed packaged food (dumplings, sushi, etc) in the grab and go refrigerator that were not properly labeled.
• Observed wet mops not hanging up after use.

Sam's Pizza Café: 428 Hume Ave A Alexandria, VA 22301

Last inspection: March 5

Violations: No violations found. Person in charge confirmed via email on 03.05.25 that he had registered for a certified food manager course.

Saigon Rolls: 606 King St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: March 5

Violations:

• Following equipment/utensils were observed soiled to sight and touch: blade of deli slicer.
• Observed bean sprouts on the counter at 49 degrees F.
• Observed improper methods used to thaw food: observed raw meat in a container on the counter in room temperature.
• Unlabeled food containers with the following food items that are not easily identified by appearance: spices by the cooking area.

Clyde's At Mark Center: 1700 N. Beauregard St Alexandria, VA 22311

Last inspection: March 5

Violations:

• Employees are not monitoring holding temperatures of time/temperature control for safety foods to ensure that they are properly held hot or cold.
• A food employee was observed cleaning their hands with gloves on in the middle compartment in the dish area.
• Employee drank from personal cup with gloves on and then returned to their food contact task.
• The handwashing station at the main bar is being used as a dump station.
• Surfaces of ice bins, beverage dispensing nozzles, and enclosed components of equipment are not being cleaned as required.
• Marinara observed at 52°F in an improperly made ice bath.

McDonald's Restaurant #7560: 505 S. Van Dorn St Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: March 5

Violations:

• Observed the handle of the ice scoop in contact with ice.

Pasara Thai VA: 2051 Jamieson Ave Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: March 5

Violations:

• Observed several items such as fried tofu, curry puffs, brown rice, and curries that were not date-marked. All items were made previous to today and are kept longer than 24 hours.

Thai Lemon: 506 S. Van Dorn St C&D Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: March 5

Violations:

• The cutting board along the prep refrigerator was heavily scratched.

Bad Ass Coffee: 2466 Mandeville Ln Alexandria, VA 22332

Last inspection: March 5

Violations: No violations found. Make sure that all spray bottles are labeled with the common name of the chemical/product.

Pum's Landmark Deli: 101 S. Whiting St #115 Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: March 5

Violations: No violations found.