Berks food safety inspections found large piles of rodent feces in the storage area of one restaurant

Nov 29, 2023

Berks County is divided into three jurisdictions: Reading, Muhlenberg Township and the rest of the county. Reading and Muhlenberg Township have their own food safety inspectors and the rest of the county is inspected by Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture inspectors.

The results will be posted every other week. All food vendors are inspected at least once a year. Other inspections can be triggered by a change of owner, a follow up if a facility had been out of compliance or by a complaint filed with the PDA.

View any vendor’s last inspection report online. Click on the PDF version of the inspection report for all details.

If a food provider is labeled out of compliance, that means it has one or more violations that require a return visit by an inspector. The establishment is given time to fix the problem(s) and remains open for business.

Below are the results of inspections conducted between July 19 and Aug. 1, 2023, that were filed in the state database as of Aug. 3 at 6 p.m.

Brick House Pub, 1348 Brooke Blvd., Kenhorst, July 28: 15 violations. Observed visible evidence of insect or rodent contaminated foods in the basement food storage area. Severely dented, swollen, distressed canned items observed in basement food area. Corrected. Discarded. Heavy condensate build up in reach in refrigerator in kitchen where lettuce and dressings are stored. Must be cleaned out. Vacuum packed Tuna and salmon observed thawing in refrigerator in vacuum packaging which is a prohibited method. Several containers of food in reach in refrigerators have old labels with various dates. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration The quaternary ammonia concentration in the sanitizing solution of the bar 3-bay warewash sink was 50 ppm, rather than 200 -400 ppm as stated on the manufacturers use directions. Shelving in kitchen food storage is dirty, greasy, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Also shelving in basement food storage area has mouse feces and must be cleaned. Entire kitchen, bar and food storage areas have spilled food, food debris, grease and filth on floors. Fryers have a large puddle of grease underneath. Observed all equipment, in *kitchen area, with an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, debris on non-food contact surfaces. Observed clean food equipment and/or utensils in dish rack area, stored uncovered or not inverted. Bowls were not inverted and had water in bottom. Also Ice bucket has water in bottom from not being inverted. The food facility does not maintain Food Employee Certification records as required. Old dried food residue observed in the bar handwash sink and handles are dirty, indicating uses other than handwashing. sink cleaned. Rear door located in the dining area of the food facility has a large gap and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals. Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the bar and kitchen area. Corrected. The handwash sink in the bar and kitchen area does not have single use towels, continuous towels, or air drying device. Potential rodent harborage areas inside the food facility observed in the basement food storage area due to chewed food bags and large piles of rodent feces. Out of compliance.

Morgantown Coffee House, 4997 Twin Valley Road Suite 2, Elverson, July 28: three violations. The coffee counter in the FOH is a food contact surface and is peeling, making the counter not smooth, easily cleanable and resistant to peeling and cracking. Employee and public bathroom are not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins. The floor in the cook line and prep area is cracked, roughened, and is not a smooth, easily cleanable surface. Out of compliance.

Friendly Restaurant #7676, 3024a Penn Ave., West Lawn, July 25: three violations. Due to an ansul fire system discharge in kitchen all food and food on cook line that is open and exposed and single-use containers must be dicarded. Entire cook line equipment, walls, handles, handwash sinks, prep sinks, dishes that have been exposed to the ansul fire system discharge must be cleaned and sanitized. Ant infestation observed in front of ice cream freezer/kitchen doorway area. Out of compliance.

Blue Marsh Lake Concession, 1420 Palisades Drive, Leesport, July 24: no violations.

Grings Mill Snack Bar, 2083 Tulpehocken Road, Wyomissing, July 24: no violations.

Uncle Paul’s Pretzels Mff3 Pa Xgw7516, 94 Pine Road, Hamburg, July 24: no violations.

American Legion Post 626, 445 E. Main St., Birdsboro, July 20: one violation. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration.

China III, 319 N. Furnace St., Birdsboro, July 20: six violations. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration at the 3-compartment sink. Observed a build-up of grease and old food debris on the floor under the fryers. There is also an accumulation of dirt/debris on the floor in the back dry storage area. Hood surfaces have an accumulation of grease. Shelves in the walk-in cooler have an accumulation of food residue/debris. Food facility in operation more than 90 days and does not employ a certified food employee as required. Plumbing system not maintained in good repair – hot water handle not working properly at the handwash sink in the kitchen. Food facility inspection indicates evidence of rodent activity in kitchen area.

Italian Delite, 113 E. Main St., Birdsboro, July 20: two violations. Thermometers for ensuring proper temperature of equipment are not available or readily accessible in some of the refrigeration units. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration at the dishwasher and 3-compartment sink.

Action Track Usa Snack Shack Tfs3, Kutztown Fairgrounds Racetrack, Kutztown, July 19: no violations.

Hearth & Hearth BBQ Mff4 (Xny-2168), 740 Noble St., Kutztown, July 19: no violations.

Raceway Kempton, 2403 B Route 143, Kempton, July 19: one violation. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration.

Takkii Ramen Kutztown, 164 W. Main St., Kutztown, July 19: six violations. Observed cases of food and food related items stored directly on the floor in the basement area, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration at the dishwasher. Observed clean food equipment in dishwashing area, stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying (wet nesting). The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view. The floor / wall juncture in the dish washing & mop sink areas is not coved and closed to 1/32 inch. Observed a 5 gallon bucket full of dirt water in the basement.

Weis Markets #078, 15260 Kutztown Road, Kutztown, July 19: three violations. Observed an accumulation of old food debris and other dirt on the floor under equipment and shelving in the deli area. Standing dirty water is accumulating in a low area of the floor in the back room under the mop hanger. Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the deli area. Corrected.

Wendy’s Restaurant #19301, 3225 N. Fifth Street Highway, July 31: six violations. The Person in Charge does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. A food employee was observed touching burger rolls/French fries while filling holders/wrap paper-with bare hands. Refrigerator shelves and dunnage rack in walk-in refrigerator soiled, and were not clean to sight and touch. Non-food contact surfaces not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and soil, including between cooking equipment, behind front store fryers, table adjacent to rear fryers, wheels of rear fryer, corners of floor, light fixture/ceiling in walk-in refrigerator. Ice bin not stored inverted or covered with water nesting inside. Manager will install a hook for inverted storage. Out of compliance.

Hoober’s Produce, 2934 N. Fifth Street Highway, July 28: no violations.

Wawa Food Market # 274, 3650 Pottsville Pike, July 28: no violations.

Wegman’s Poultry, 2934 N. Fifth Street Highway, July 28: one violation. Observed scored cutting boards that can no longer be cleaned and sanitized effectively.

Joe’s Place, 5 Spring Valley Road, July 22: one violation. New owner, menus under revision. Consumer advisory planned with final print version.

Subway Restaurant, 5370 Allentown Pike, July 22: two violations. Water leaking at 3-compartment sink with scheduled repair, per person in charge. Exterior section below walk-in freezer is jagged with temporary holders in place. It cannot be cleaned easily.

Sunoco Bellevue, 100 W. Bellevue Ave., July 22: one violation. Several “Lunchable” items in the Grab n’ Go refrigerator were beyond the use by date. Items discarded on inspection.

Turkey Hill Minit Market #62, 4801 N. Fifth Street Highway, July 22: three violations. Fan guards in walk-in refrigerator are dusty. The food facility does not employ a certified employee as required. Multiple employees are scheduled for ServSafe certification per person in charge. No food employee certificates posted, as no employees are certified.

Temple Family Restaurant, 4949 N. Fifth Street Highway, July 21: two violations. Water leaking at 3-compartment sink with scheduled repair, per person in charge. Exterior section below walk-in freezer is jagged with temporary holders in place. It cannot be cleaned easily.

None filed.

The following reports for the period of July 5 to July 18, 2023, were added to the state’s database after July 20 and did not appear in the previous Berks food safety report.

Dosie Dough Wyomissing, 1405 Penn Ave., Wyomissing, July 18: no violations.

Fleetwood Community Park Concession Stand, Main Street, Fleetwood, July 18: no violations.

Icee & Cold Drinks Mff3 (Sd U173459), Fleetwood Carnival, Fleetwood, July 18: no violations.

Target #1222, 2769 Papermill Road, Wyomissing, July 18: no violations.

Uncle Paul’s Pretzels Mff3 Pa Zpj9849, 94 Pine Road, Hamburg, July 17: no violations.

Friendship Fire Co #1 Social Quarters, 214 W. First St., Birdsboro, July 14: two violations. Condenser fan covers in the walk-in cooler have an accumulation of dust/dirt. Corrected – covers were removed and cleaned during this inspection. Wall at the cooking area in the kitchen has a long crack and is no longer easily cleanable.

Plaza Azteca Wyomissing, 955 Woodland Road, Wyomissing, July 14: no violations.

Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, 101 E. Main St., Birdsboro, July 14: one violation. Entrance door located in the serving area of the food facility has a gap at the bottom and does not protect against the entry of pests.

Turkey Hill #308, 320 N Furnace St., Birdsboro, July 14: no violations.

Amc Berkshire 8, 800 Berkshire Blvd., Wyomissing, July 13: no violations.

Friendly Stops 2 Inc, 159 W. Penn Ave., Robesonia, July 13: no violations.

Kauffman’s Bar-B-Q Mff3 T-Pt9690t, 233 Gravel Pit Road, Bethel, July 13: no violations.

Swatty Creek Farm, 7725 Lancaster Ave., Myerstown, July 13: no violations.

Berks County Fair Food Stand Tfs3, 1216 Hilltop Road, Leesport, July 12: two violations. Raw shell eggs were stored above open pack of hot dogs and pan of cooked food. Corrected. Beverage container tops / lids submerged in ice in cooler. corrected.

Dee-N-Dee Productions, Berks County Fair, Leesport, July 12: no violations.

Devour Catering Berks County Fair Tsf3, Berks County Fair, Leesport, July 12: no violations.

El Sabor Criollo Mff3, 1015 Rose St., Reading, July 12: no violations.

Turkey Hill Minit Market #014, 3701 Kutztown Road, Laureldale, July 12: three violations. The food facility does not maintain Food Employee Certification records as required. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view. Ceiling above warewashing area has a large hole and leak damage and must be repaired.

Villa At Kings Fudge Dba Chocolate Moonshine, Berks County Fair, Leesport, July 12: no violations.

Birdsboro Beverage, 236 W. First St., Birdsboro, July 11: no violations.

Pip And Lily’s Loaded Tots Mff3 (Orange), 268 Colorado Drive, Birdsboro, July 11: no violations.

Pip And Lily’s Loaded Tots Mff3 (Red)(Xmr-6084), 268 Colorado Drive, Birdsboro, July 11: no violations.

Sal’s Pizza Style, 401 E. First St., Birdsboro, July 11: two violations. Unisex toilet room is not provided with a covered waste receptacle. Toilet room adjacent to the dining area does not have a self-closing door.

Vinnie’s Pizza, 207 N. Furnace St., Birdsboro, July 11: three violations. Thermometers for ensuring proper temperature of equipment are not available or readily accessible in three of the refrigeration units. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration at the 3-compartment sink. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view.

Antietam Senior High School, 100 Antietam Road, Reading, July 10: no violations.

Bella Italia Pizza Restaurant, 1064 Memorial Highway, Oley, July 10: no violations.

Freddy Bear’s Smokin Hot Bbq Mff4, 509 Walnuttown Road, Fleetwood, July 10: no violations.

Hong Kong, 51 King Plaza’s, Oley, July 10: no violations.

Stony Creek Athletic Assn, 165 Antietam Road, Reading, July 10: no violations.

Two Can Catering Mfs3/Xba-9714, 132 S. Freeman St., Robesonia, July 10: no violations.

Weis Supermarket #184, 61 King’s Plaza, Oley, July 10: no violations.

B F M Venders LLC Mff3, 1414 Moselem Springs Road, Hamburg, July 07: one violation. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration.

Nice Garden, 850 Golden Drive Suite #8, Blandon, July 07: three violations. Raw shell eggs stored above ready to eat foods in walk in cooler. Corrected. Single-use deli containers being used as scoops in flour/corn starch. Must get scoops with handles. Food facility does not have available chlorine sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration

Pop Top Bbq Mff4 Xhz0991, 4 Goodman St., Strausstown, July 07: no violations.

The Perk Up Truck Mff 2 Zgc9888, 21 W. Weis St., Topton, July 07: no violations.

The Perk Up Truck Mff2 Tzbd6855, 21 W. Weis St., Topton, July 07: no violations.

Winedown Cafe & Wine Bar, 622 Penn Ave., West Reading, July 07: two violations. Thermometer for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in the small bain marie in the kitchen. Corrected. The slicer, a food contact surface, was observed to have dried food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Corrected

Alebrije Mexican Restaurant, 3805 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, July 06: four violations. There is an accumulation of grease and old food debris on the floor under the equipment at the cooking area and on the wall in the same area. The handwash sink in the bar area does not have single use towels. Corrected. Ceiling tile missing in the back storage area needs to be replaced. Working containers (spray bottles) in the kitchen and bar areas, used for storing chemicals, cleaners taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical. Corrected.

Crestwood Pool Snack Stand, 20 Hearthstone Court PO Box 4141, Reading, July 06: no violations.

McDonalds #05917, 3400 Conrad Weiser Parkway, Womelsdorf, July 06: three violations. Observed wet wiping cloths in cook line area, not being stored in sanitizer solution. Corrected. Ice machine cover must be put back in place. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view.

4th Day Ice Cream Tfs-2, Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: no violations.

B & C Quickbites LLC, Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: two violations. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. Food facility has an employee that has taken food safety training program; however, the food safety program was not an ANSI/CFP accredited Certified Food Manager program.

Bake Oven Tfs3, Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: three violations. An open employee’s beverage container was observed in kitchen area, a food preparation area. Prepackaged bread food is not labeled to clearly indicate any “Big 8” allergen ingredients and / or the allergen warning statement. The food facility does not maintain Food Employee Certification records as required.

Bang Cookies, Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: no violations.

Barto Birch Distillery, Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: no violations.

Betty’s Old Fashioned Lemonade Unit #1 Mff3 (Xmr-4939), 25 Melody Lane, Birdsboro, July 05: one violation. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view.

Blue Mountain Vineyards (Tfs1), Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: no violations.

Boyd’s Cardinal Hollow Winery (Tfs 3), Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: no violations.

Butler Hill Maple Farm, Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: no violations.

Chocolate Moonshine, Wow Fudge Tfs2, Kutztown Folk Festival, July 05: no violations.

Country Kitchen At Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: one violation. Food facility has an employee that has taken food safety training program; however, the food safety program was not an ANSI/CFP accredited Certified Food Manager program.

Dutch Dogs, Susannahs Sarsaparilla Tfs3, Kutztown Folk Festival, July 05: one violation. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view.

Eight Oaks Craft Distillers, Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: no violations.

Esser’s Apples Tfs3, Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: no violations.

Floyd’s P1 Mff3 Xv38644, 318 Vinemont Road, Reinholds, July 05: three violations. Beverage container tops / lids submerged in ice in cooler. Walls / ceiling in the grill/ware washing area is cracked and peeling and not easily cleanable. Must be repaired. Lights are not shielded or shatter proof over the grill area.

Floyd’s St1, Mff4, Tn90868, July 05: two violations. Beverage container tops / lids submerged in ice in cooler container. Observed clean food equipment and/or utensils on counter area, stored uncovered or not inverted. Knives stored on counter. Corrected.

Governor Mifflin Music Association (Tfs3), GGM Community Days, Shillington, July 05: no violations.

Island Expressions Tfs-4, Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: two violations. Thermometer for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in the small refrigerator at the front counter. Working container (spray bottle), used for storing chemicals, cleaners taken from bulk supplies, was not marked with the common name of the chemical. Corrected.

Johnny’s Pizza T-Xl83397 (Mff3), 915 Cocalico Road, Birdsboro, July 05: no violations.

JP’s Concessions Tff2, Xp24644, 159 Rudloff Road, July 05: two violations. Handwash sink must be set up prior to operation. Corrected. Lights are not shielded or shatter proof over the counter area.

JP’s Lemonade Tff, Xk91197, 159 Rudloff Lane, July 05: one violation. Lights are not shielded or shatter proof in the trailer area.

Knights Of Columbus #7179 (Xfn-5782) Mff-3, Mobile Unit, Reading, July 05: two violations. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in refrigerator equipment. The handwash sink in the kitchen area was blocked by cleaning supplies and not accessible at all times for employee use. Corrected.

Kutztown Grange Stand (Tfs4), Kutztown Fair & Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: no violations.

Kutztown Lions Club Stand, Kutztown Fair & Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: one violation. Sanitizer test strips to determine sanitizer concentration are expired.

Mohnton-Cumru Lions Club #1 Tfs-3, GGM Community Days, Shillington, July 05: no violations.

Nectar of The Vine, Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: no violations.

Original Kutztown Funnel Cake, Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: no violations.

Pretzel Revolution Stand Folk Festival (Tfs3), Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: one violation. Dry ingredients are not being stored covered. Corrected.

Root Beer Wagon, Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: no violations.

Seltzer’s Smokehouse Meats Tfs2, Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: no violations.

Simply Savory, Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: no violations.

Stone Farm Cellars & Vineyard, Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: no violations.

Strawberry Festival Stand, Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: one violation. Prepackaged pies and pie slices are not labeled to clearly indicate any “Big 8” allergen ingredients and / or the allergen warning statement. Allergen labels missing.

Tre Wood Fired, Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: one violation. Plastic utensils not displayed in a manner so that only the handles are touched when dispensed. Corrected.

Vince’s Das Wurst Haus Tfs4, Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: one violation. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration.

Vince’s Kutztown, Pa Dutch Funnel Cake Tfs3, Kutztown Folk Festival, July 05: no violations.

Vince’s Lemon Drink A Tfs3, Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: one violation. Non-food contact surfaces not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and soil. -Area inside of the reach in cooler.

Vince’s Lemon Drink B Tfs3, Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: no violations.

Vince’s Ox & Pig Roast, Bratwurst Tfs4, Kutztown Folk Festival, July 05: no violations.

Xplorer Spirits, Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: no violations.

Your Chocolate Guys Fudge, Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown, July 05: no violations.

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