Restaurant Inspections: IHOP, Papa John’s

Alexandria Health Department officials inspected numerous restaurants in West End Alexandria in recent weeks. We all want to know how our favorite restaurants stack up on cleanliness and sanitation.

Full reports can be accessed on the health department's website.

Avalon Caterers International, 109 Clermont Ave., Oct. 16:

• Corrected During Inspection, Core Item: Observed employee personal care items stored in such a way that they could contaminate clean silverware and dishes in the dishroom.
• Core Item: The nonfood-contact surface of the following equipment is not corrosion resistant, nonabsorbent, and/or smooth: the walls in the dishwashing area (many holes in the wall and a large opening where a leak had been repaired).

Chicken & Kabob, 5801 Duke St., G-328, Nov. 7:

• Corrected During Inspection, Priority Foundation Item Repeat: Observed that paper towels were not provided at each handwashing sink.
• Corrected During Inspection, Core Item Repeat: Unwrapped or uncovered food in the following location where the food is subject to contamination: the hamburgers (freezer chest), vinegar and sauces (dry storage area).
• Corrected During Inspection, Priority Item: Observed that the following potentially hazardous foods were not cooled from 135°F to 41°F within a total of 6 hours: soup stock cooling at room temperature. Soup was 116°F after 3.5 hours. The soup stock was discarded during the inspection.
• Corrected During Inspection, Priority Item: The following food item(s) were measured at improper temperatures: sambusas. Food discarded during the inspection.
• Corrected During Inspection, Priority Item Repeat: The following food item(s) were measured at improper temperatures: beef and chicken at the front cooking area. The beef and chicken were discarded during the inspection.
• Priority Foundation Item: The person in charge is not able to provide written procedures for the use of time as a public health control with the following potentially hazardous food item(s): sambusas.
• Core Item Repeat: The premises is not being routinely inspected for the presence of insects, rodents, and other pests. Numerous fruit flies were observed during the inspection. Have the store treated for pest and retain the invoice for my review.
• Core Item: Employees observed working in the food service area without proper hair restraints.
• Core Item: The nonfood-contact surface of the following equipment is not corrosion resistant, nonabsorbent, and/or smooth: the shelves in the walk-in refrigerator . Replace the red shelves in the walk-in refrigerator that are not smooth and easy to clean.
• Corrected During Inspection, Core Item: Soiled equipment was observed ineffectively cleaned by manual warewashing. Soiled dishes were not immersed in hot soapy water.
• Core Item Repeat: Observed that the floor in the restaurant is in need of cleaning.

International House of Pancakes #478, 6254 Duke St., Nov. 8:

• Priority Foundation Item: The Person in Charge (PIC) has a valid certificate of successful completion of an accredited Certified Food Manager (CFM) exam, but does not possess the Northern Virginia CFM card.
• Corrected During Inspection, Core Item Repeat: Unwrapped or uncovered food in the following location where the food is subject to contamination: several foods were uncovered in the Superior reach-in refrigerator. Foods were covered during the inspection.
• Corrected During Inspection, Priority Item: Raw animal food stored over ready-to-eat food in the refrigeration unit. Whole shell eggs were improperly stored onions in the Beverage Air. Eggs were relocated during the inspection.
• Core Item: The Superior refrigerator is damaged and holding water at the bottom. Repair the refrigerator in 5 days.
• Priority Foundation Item: Hot and Cold water under insufficient or inadequate pressure was found to serve the following equipment: restroom handsink.
• Core Item: The sink basin at the rear hand sink is slow to drain.

Lady's Bodega (Carryout), 235 S. Van Dorn St., Nov. 6:

• Priority Foundation Item: The following ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous food in the refrigeration unit is not used within 24 hours of preparation and is not properly dated for disposition within 7 days at 41°F: soup.
• Priority Foundation Item: The following methods used for cooling were not adequate to facilitate cooling of the product from 135°F to 41°F within 6 hours: beef cooling at room temperature.
• Corrected During Inspection, Core Item: Pots were found stored on the floor.
• Core Item: Observed that the ceiling tile is not maintained in good repair.
• Corrected During Inspection, Core Item: Observed employee's bottled water is not located to protect food, equipment, linens, and/or single-service items from contamination. Employee's bottle water was discarded during the inspection.

Papa John's Pizza #830, 4529 Duke St., Nov. 7:

• Priority Foundation Item: The Person in Charge (PIC) has a valid certificate of successful completion of an accredited Certified Food Manager (CFM) exam, but does not possess the Northern Virginia CFM card.
• Comments: Have the food stored by a professional pest control company to eliminate fruit flies in 5 days.

Simply Meal Thyme, 4415 Wheeler Ave., Oct. 26:

• Corrected During Inspection, Core Item: Employee reused gloves.

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