Restaurant Inspections: TGI Friday's, Los Toltecos and More

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.

Sakulthai Restaurant, 408 S. Van Dorn St., Jan. 8

Core Item - Employees observed working in the food service area without proper hair restraints.

Core Item - The following mechanical refrigeration unit is not currently operating as required to cold hold food at a temperature of 41°F or less: The Superior reach-in refrigerator.

See the full inspection report here.

TGI Friday's, 4650 King St., Jan. 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.

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: Manager could not locate the employee health policies. Gave new form.

Read the full inspection report here.

Los Toltecos, 4511 Duke St., Jan. 4

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: the owner/ manager was not aware of the illness that must be reported to the Health Department.

Corrected During Inspection Priority Item - Observed food employees using improper handwashing procedures. Employee failed to use soap or wash his hands for 20 seconds. Corrected with proper hand washing instruction.

Corrected During Inspection Priority Foundation Item - A food employee was observed cleaning their hands in a mop sink. Employee washed his hands at the hand sink after instruction.

Corrected During Inspection Priority Item - Different types of raw animal foods stored in such a manner that may cause cross contamination as follows: chicken and beef were improperly stored above shrimp in the walk-in refrigerator. The meats were relocated during the inspection.

Core Item - Unwrapped or uncovered food in the following location where the food is subject to contamination: in the walk-in refrigerator, and in the reach-in refrigerator. The taco shells were uncovered.

Priority Item - Due to improper operation of the low temperature chemical sanitizing mechanical warewashing machine, equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils are not sanitized after cleaning. (See 4-501.114)

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. Cleaners were improperly stored with hot sauce in the outside storage area. The chemical were relocated during the inspection.

Core Item - Food stored on the floor and/or food stored less than 6 inches off the floor in the walk-in units. A dish rack was used as a shelf in the walk-in unit.

Core Item - The beer cooler is damaged and holding water at the bottom.

Core Item - Lockers or other suitable facilities are not provided for employees clothing and other possessions. Employee's jacket and hat were stored on the shelf with food that would be served to customers. Articles of clothing were relocated.

Read the full inspection report here.

Oriental Star Restaurant, 3221 Duke St., Jan. 4

Corrected During Inspection Priority Item - Employee observed handling/cutting cabbage with bare hands.

Corrected During Inspection Priority Item Repeat - Food in refrigeration unit stored improperly as follows: raw fish stored over avocado.

Corrected During Inspection Priority Item Repeat - The following goods not being held at proper temperatures: Lo mein noodles/46F.

Read the full inspection report here.

Panamerican Bakery and Grill,

Corrected During Inspection Core Item - Repeat Open drinking containers stored in a manner that may contaminate food, food contact surfaces or utensils. Employee's beverages were discarded during the inspection. 

Corrected During Inspection Core Item Repeat - Unwrapped or uncovered food in the following location where the food is subject to contamination: walk-in , reach-in refrigerator and reach-in freezer. Foods were covered during the inspection.

Corrected During Inspection Priority Item Repeat - Different types of raw animal foods stored in such a manner that may cause cross contamination as follows: chicken was improperly stored above shrimp and beef was stored above shrimp in the reach-in freezer. The shrimp was relocated during the inspection.

Corrected During Inspection Priority Item Repeat - Raw animal food stored over ready-to-eat food in the walk-in refrigeration unit. Raw eggs were improperly stored above cooked chicken and potatoes in the walk-in refrigerator. Raw meat was improperly stored above frozen produce in the reach-in freezer. Cooked foods were relocated.

Priority Item Repeat - The following food item(s) were measured at improper temperatures: steak, chicken. The refrigeration unit must be repaired.

Core Item Repeat - Food stored on the floor and/or food stored less than 6 inches off the floor. Food was improperly storred on the walk-in freezer floor. 

Core Item - Employees observed working in the food service area without proper hair restraints.

Core Item - Improper storage of wet wiping cloths not in sanitizer after each use.

Core Item Repeat - Observed that mops are improperly stored between use.

Read the full inspection report here.

Alley Cat Bar and Grill, 2 S. Whiting St., Jan. 2

Priority Foundation Item Repeat - A food employee was observed cleaning their hands in a food preparation sink. I observed employee was his hands in the three compartment sink.

Corrected During Inspection Priority Item Repeat - Raw animal food stored over ready-to-eat food in the refrigeration unit. Raw meats were improperly stored above cooked roast beef and asparagus (make table refrigerator) and raw seafood was improperly stored above fresh berries and cooked pastry were improperly stored under raw hamburger. The raw meats were relocated during the inspection.

Core Item - Unwrapped or uncovered food in the following location where the food is subject to contamination.

Corrected During Inspection Priority Item - The following food item(s) was not reheated for hot holding to a sufficient temperature and/or time: cheese. The cheese was reheated during the inspection.

Corrected During Inspection Priority Item - The cole slaw dated 12/20/12 was not discarded after 7 days. The cole slaw was discarded during the inspection.

Core Item - Observed improper methods used to thaw raw meat.

Core Item - Food stored on the floor and/or food stored less than 6 inches off the floor. Several cases of food and salad dressing were improperly stored on the walk-in refrigerator and freezer floor. Buckets and milk crates were improperly used as storage shelves in the walk-in freezer.

Core Item Repeat - Dispensing and/or in-use utensils improperly stored between use as follows: ice cream dipper.

Core Item - Clean food container, and pots were observed stored with the food-contact surface facing upward.

See the full inspection report here.

For more restaurant inspections from all over the city of Alexandria, click here.