Restaurant Inspections: Clyde’s, Pizza Hut

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.

Big Bite Pizza, 666 S. Pickett St., Nov. 30:

• Corrected During Inspection, Core Item Repeat: Open drinking containers stored in a manner that may contaminate food, food contact surfaces or utensils. The coffee cup was relocated during the inspection.
• Corrected During Inspection, Priority Item Repeat: Observed food employees using improper hand-washing procedures. Employee failed to wash his hands for 20 seconds. Corrected with instruction from EHS.
• Priority Item: Raw animal food stored over ready-to-eat food in the refrigeration unit. Raw hamburgers were improperly stored above cooked bacon and salad dressing in the make table refrigerator. The hamburgers were relocated during the inspection.
• Core Item: Food stored on the floor and/or food stored less than 6 inches off the floor. Cheese is improperly stored on a milk crate in the walk-in refrigerator. Provide approved shelving in the walk-in refrigerator.
• Corrected During Inspection, Core Item: Employees observed working in the food service area without proper hair restraints. Employee put on a hat during the inspection.
• Core Item Repeat: Observed employee clothing and other possessions stored in areas that may contaminate food, food-contact surfaces of equipment, single-service items, or single-use items. Employee's jacket is improperly placed on top of single service items.

Borinquen Lunch Box, 4114 Wheeler Ave., Dec. 5:

• Priority Foundation Item: The following equipment/utensils were observed soiled to sight and touch: the oven.
• 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 that was cooked at 9:00am was 112°F at 3:00pm. Soup was discarded during the inspection.
• Corrected During Inspection, Priority Item: Observed that poisonous and toxic materials are not properly stored to prevent the contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens or single service items. Cleaner and hand sanitizer were improperly stored with single service items. Chemicals were relocated during the inspection.
• Corrected During Inspection, 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: soups. Soups were placed in ice bath during the inspection.
• Core Item: Observed that the floor in the cooking area is in need of cleaning.
• Core Item: Light bulb(s) in the dish-washing area are not covered by a protective shielding.

The Butterfly House, 3800 Butterfly Lane, Nov. 30:

• Corrected During Inspection, Priority Item: Through conversation and/or review of written policy, it was determined that the establishment's employee health policy (EHP) is not compliant with the Food Code because: On discussion, the Big 5 illnesses could not be listed.

Clyde's At Mark Center, 1700 N. Beauregard St., Dec. 5:

• Risk Factor Assessment: No violations were found during the inspection.

Fillmore Cafe, 4800 Fillmore Ave., Dec. 5:

• Risk Factor Assessment: No violations were found during the inspection.

Philadelphia Cheesesteak Factory, 3060 Duke St., Dec. 6:

• Corrected During Inspection, Priority Item Repeat: Through conversation and/or review of written policy, it was determined that the establishment's employee health policy (EHP) is not compliant with the Food Code because: The CFM could not state the 5 reportable illnesses, and information relating to them was no longer on site.
• Corrected During Inspection, Priority Item: Observed a food handler fail to use soap when washing hands.
• Corrected During Inspection, Priority Item Food: employee(s) was observed handling bread and salad items (ready-to-eat foods) using their bare hands.
• Corrected During Inspection, Priority Item: Containers of raw chicken were observed alongside bread.
• Priority Foundation Item: The following equipment/utensils were observed soiled to sight and touch: Deli slicer.
• Priority Foundation Item: A review of the menu with the foodservice operator indicates that there is no consumer advisory for the following food item(s) that may be served raw and/or undercooked: Cheese burgers offered as cook-to-order on the menu.
• Core Item: Wet wiping cloths were observed left on the counter tops in the line area.
• Corrected During Inspection, Priority Item: Observed a hose attached to a faucet fixture. The hose extended below the flood rim level of the mop sink basin.
• Core Item: Light bulb(s) in the walk-in cooler are not covered by a protective shielding.

Pizza Hut, 5145-A Duke St., Dec. 3:

• Priority Foundation Item: The following equipment/utensils were observed soiled to sight and touch: the sausage dispenser and the pizza slicer.
• Core Item: The following mechanical freezer unit is not currently operating as required to cold hold food at a temperature of 0°F or less.
• Corrected During Inspection, Core Item: The door handle of the following unit(s) are damaged: the warmer unit.
• Core Item: Observed that items that are unnecessary to the operation or maintenance of the establishment are being stored on the premises.