Restaurant Inspections: Panera, Noodles & Co.

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.

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill #118, 3231 Duke St., Nov. 19:

• Corrected During Inspection, Priority Item: Raw chicken was observed stored above beans in the walk-in cooler.
• 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): Sliced and cut tomatoes on the line.

Cafe Aurora, 50 S. Pickett St., #24, Nov. 27:

• Core Item Repeat: Observed that sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands is not provided at the front handwashing sinks used by food employees.
• Priority Foundation Item: The handwashing station at the front counter is being used to clean equipment, utensils and utensils are improperly stored at the hand sink.
• Corrected During Inspection, Priority Item Repeat: Raw animal food stored over ready-to-eat food in the refrigeration unit. Raw meat is improperly stored above ready to eat food in the reach-in refrigerator. The raw meat was relocated 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. Cleaners are improperly stored too close to produce. Cleaner were relocated during the inspection.
• Corrected During Inspection, Core Item Repeat: Food stored on the floor and/or food stored less than 6 inches off the floor. French bread was improperly stored on the floor. The bread was relocated during the inspection.
• Core Item Repeat: Clean bowls were found stored on the floor.
• Corrected During Inspection, Core Item: Single service to-go containers were observed stored with the food-contact surface facing upward. Containers were inverted during the inspection.
• Core Item: The drainboards/utensil racks/storage tables are not large enough to accommodate all soiled and cleaned items.
• Priority Foundation Item: There is no test kit located in the facility for monitoring the concentration of the chemical sanitizing solutions.
• Corrected During Inspection, Core Item: A distinct, separate water rinse after washing and before sanitizing of utensils and equipment was not observed. Corrected after instruction.
• Core Item Repeat: Observed that mops are improperly stored between use.

• Priority Foundation Item: The handwashing station at the front is being used to clean equipment and utensils. Soiled dishes were relocated to the three compartment sink.
• Priority Foundation Item: The handwashing station at the rear is being used for purposes other than washing hands. Soiled dishes are stored at the rear hand sink. Soiled dishes were relocated to the three compartment sink.
• Corrected During Inspection, Core Item: Employees observed working in the food service area without proper hair restraints. Employee put on hair restraint when instructed.
• Core Item: Single service container were found stored on the milk crates.

• Core Item Repeat: Open drinking containers stored in a manner that may contaminate food, food contact surfaces or utensils. Employee's beverages were improperly stored in the food preparation area. Beverages were relocated during the inspection.
• Core Item: Unwrapped or uncovered food in the following location where the food is subject to contamination: produce was uncovered in the reach-in refrigerator, and flour was uncovered in the prep area.
• Corrected During Inspection, Priority Item Repeat: Raw animal food stored over ready-to-eat food in the refrigeration unit. Raw chicken is improperly stored above sauces in the walk-in refrigerator. Sauces were relocated during the inspection.
• Priority Foundation Item Repeat: The following equipment/utensils were observed soiled to sight and touch: the cooking equipment, and the cutting boards.
• Corrected During Inspection, Core Item: Observed improper methods used to thaw food. Beef and shrimp were improperly defrosting at room temperature and in stranding water respectively. The beef was relocated to the walk-in refrigerator and the shrimp was placed under cold running water.
• Core Item: Food storage with soiled dishes at the three compartment sink. Possible cross contamination corrected when soiled dishes were relocated.
• Core Item: Food stored on the floor and/or food stored less than 6 inches off the floor in the walk-in refrigerator and shrimp at the 3 compartment sink. Foods were elevated during the inspection.
• Core Item Repeat: Employees observed working in the food service area without proper hair restraints.
• Core Item: Observed that the floor in the prep is in need of cleaning.

• Corrected During Inspection, Core Item: Open drinking containers stored in a manner that may contaminate food, food contact surfaces or utensils. The open drinking container was removed from the front prep area during the inspection.
• Core Item: The hot water faucet at the rear hand sink is in poor repair.
• Core Item: There is no refuse container at the area immediately adjacent to the front hand sink.

• Priority Item: There is no Certified Food Manager (CFM) present in the establishment.
• Corrected During Inspection, Priority Item: Cooked pork was observed stored below raw chicken in the walk-in cooler.
• Core Item: Plastic and metal pans were found stacked while wet after cleaning and chemical sanitization.
• Core Item: Light shields were missing from the lights located above the preparation sink and work table adjacent to the cook range.

Panera Bread, 3201 Duke St., Nov. 29:

• Priority Foundation Item Repeat: There is no handwashing sink with the bakery area, preventing routine handwashing by food workers.

U.S. Bowling, 100 S. Pickett St., Nov. 27:

• Corrected During Inspection, Priority Item Repeat: Raw animal food stored over ready-to-eat food in the refrigeration unit. Raw hamburgers are improperly stored above lettuce in the walk-in refrigerator. Raw beef is improperly stored above sliced cheese in the reach-in freezer. Foods were relocated during the inspection.
• Core Item: The premises is not being routinely inspected for the presence of insects, rodents, and other pests. Observed evidence of mice under the soda dispenser cabinet. Thoroughly clean the cabinets and treat for mice.
• Core Item: Observed an accumulation of litter on the premises.

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