Primary election 2024 guide

Mar. 1—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.

Complaints can be filed online with the PDA.

Below are the results of inspections conducted between Feb. 14 and Feb. 27, 2024, that were filed in the state database as of Feb. 29 at 3 p.m.

Berks

B2 Bistro & Bar, 701 Reading Ave., West Reading, Feb. 26: two violations. Due to smoke condition in the bar from exterior fire all opened food and beverage products are to be discarded. Corrected prior to arrival. Due to fire in the exterior rear of the facility causing smoke to enter bar area all equipment and utensils are to be cleaned and sanitized. Corrected prior to arrival.

Tipsy Times, 2295 E. Main St., Douglassville, Feb. 26: three violations. Wall on door frame in the kitchen area leading to dining area, is made of wood, and is not durable, smooth, non-porous, non-absorbent. The floor / wall juncture in the kitchen area by the door leading to the bar and the exit door is not coved and closed to 1/32 inch. Exit door located in the kitchen area of the food facility has a gap and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals. Out of compliance.

Mikura Asian Cuisine & Sushi Bar, 840 N. Park Road, Wyomissing, Feb. 23: 12 violations. The Person in Charge did not demonstrate adequate control of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Observed visible evidence, such as droppings, of rodent contaminated foods in the walk-in cooler. Products were thrown away. Food (heads of cabbage) observed in the walk-in cooler moldy and adulterated. Product was thrown away. Multiple food items in the walk-in cooler and kitchen area stored open with no covering. Food dispensing utensils without handles observed stored in various containers of dry goods. Observed dirty take-out containers in the kitchen area. Containers were thrown away. Multiple non-food contact surfaces throughout the facility have an accumulation of grease/dirt/old food debris. The handwash sink in the kitchen area was blocked by a large box and was not accessible at all times for employee use. Corrected. Outside grease handling unit and surrounding area was dirty and possibly attracting insects and rodents. Also observed other items of trash stored in the area of this unit. Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the server area. Food facility inspection indicates evidence of rodent and insect activity in most areas of the facility, including in the walk-in cooler. Working containers (spray bottles) of cleaner / sanitizer were stored on the same shelf with food and single service articles in the sushi bar area. Corrected. Observed insecticides or rodenticides in the kitchen and dry storage areas, not labeled by the manufacturer as approved for use in a food facility. Out of compliance.

Heart & Hearth Deli & Smokehouse, 740 Noble St., Kutztown, Feb. 21: no violations.

Kutztown School District Elementary School, 40 Normal Ave., Kutztown, Feb. 21: no violations.

Saucony Creek Brewing Company, 15032 Kutztown Road, Kutztown, Feb. 21: four violations. Fryer baskets located in fryer area are not in good repair or condition. Several insert pans observed in the clean dish storage area with old label residue and pieces of plastic wrap on containers. Observed clean glasses in bar area stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying (wet nesting).Corrected. Working containers (spray bottles) of cleaner / sanitizer were stored on the same shelf with clean dishes in the bar area. Corrected.

Tavern At Centre And Main, 5 Centre Ave., Topton, Feb. 21: two violations. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration for quat sanitizer at the three compartment sink. New food facility does not yet employ a certified food employee.

Alfredo's Pizza, 846 Main St., Bally, Feb. 20: one violation. All shelving in kitchen area with cardboard lining shelves that is not a smooth easily cleanable surface and must have cardboard removed. Corrected onsite.

Boyertown Area Multi-Service, 200 W. Spring St., Boyertown, Feb. 20: no violations.

Duck Donuts, 86 Commerce Drive, Wyomissing, Feb. 20: no violations.

The Salvation Army, 409 S. Reading Ave., Boyertown, Feb. 20: no violations.

Hazel's Cafe At Mayfield On Noble, 544 Noble St., Kutztown, Feb. 16: one violation. Pre-packaged cookies were observed offered for sale without an indication that it came from an approved source. Facility removed the cookies from sale.

Mark's Sandwich Shop, 123 W. Main St., Kutztown, Feb. 16: one violation. Food employee personal belongings observed in front kitchen area on cases of food items. Corrected.

Plaza Azteca Wyomissing, 955 Woodland Road, Wyomissing, Feb. 16: no violations.

The Nesting Box, 230 Snyder Road, Kempton, Feb. 16: no violations.

Deluxe Restaurant, 2295 Lancaster Pike, Shillington, Feb. 15: one violation. Ice bin station at front door area was left uncovered.

Legacy Cigar Lounge, 525 Penn Ave., West Reading, Feb. 15: one violation. Foods are served raw or undercooked to the customer's request; however, a written consumer advisory (on the menu, table tent, or placard) is not provided to the consumer.

Washington Grille & Pub, 1063 Route 100, Bechtelsville, Feb. 15: one violation. Food facility has an employee who held a Certified Food Manager certificate; however, the certificate has expired and is no longer valid.

Winnie's Tea Bar, 725 Penn Ave., West Reading, Feb. 15: three violations. The metal plate on the interior of the ice machine, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Observed the freezer, in front service area, with an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, debris on non-food contact surfaces. Observed a build-up of old food residue on the non-food contact surfaces of the blender in the front service area. Observed the ledge of the ice bin in the front service area to have a build-up of residue. The floors in the back prep area observed to have a build-up of old food and food residue around and under equipment and under shelving.

China III, 319 N Furnace St., Birdsboro, Feb. 14: seven violations. Observed an accumulation of dirt/debris on the floor and shelves throughout the facility. There is a build-up of old food debris inside the bain marie unit at the cooking line. Hood surfaces have an accumulation of grease. Food facility in operation more than 90 days and has not employed a certified food employee as required. The handwash sink in the kitchen area was blocked by dishes and was not accessible at all times for employee use. Corrected. Back door located in the kitchen area of the food facility has a gap at the bottom and does not protect against the entry pests. Ceiling tiles missing above the 3-compartment sink need to be replaced. Food facility inspection indicates evidence of rodent activity in kitchen and storage areas.

China Moon Restaurant, 4888 Penn Ave., Sinking Spring, Feb. 14: four violations. Several raw animal foods were stored above boxes of vegetables in the walk-in cooler. Bins used to store corn starch and flour were observed with old food residue and need to be cleaned. Observed wheels of the food tumbler cooking equipment in the kitchen area and also observed knife handle used to open bags with encrusted grease and soil accumulation. Back screen door located in the kitchen area of the food facility has a tear in the screen and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals.

Italian Delite, 113 E. Main St., Birdsboro, Feb. 14: two violations. Outer door located near the stairs to the basement has a gap at the bottom and does not properly protect against the entry of pests. Working containers (spray bottles) in dishwash area, used for storing chemicals, cleaners taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical. Corrected.

Redner's Warehouse Market #42, 4870 Penn Ave., Sinking Spring, Feb. 14: three violations. Several cans of baby formula found to be beyond the sell by date and requires discarding. Corrected. Knives stored in knife block stored in the bakery and the meat room areas were observed to have food residue and were not clean to sight and touch. Corrected. Working containers in bakery and deli area, used for storing chemicals, cleaners taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical. Corrected.

Taco Bell #36257, 1136 Ben Franklin Highway, Douglassville, Feb. 14: no violations.

Muhlenberg Township

Tobias Frog, 2613 Hampden Blvd., Feb. 27: no violations.

Carvel Store # 2172, 3320 N. Fifth St., Feb. 17: two violations. Food employees observed in prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard covers. Corrected on inspection. Food dispensing utensil in chocolate crunchies and pink colored topping pieces observed stored in the food and not with handle above the top of the food.

Jimbo's Steaks & Hoagies, 3400 Plaza Drive, Feb. 17: no violations.

Reading

None entered.

UPDATES

The following reports for the period of Jan. 31 to Feb. 13, 2024, were added to the state's database after Feb. 15 and did not appear in the previous Berks food safety report.

Berks

Cafe Folino, 951 Hill Road, Wyomissing, Feb. 12: one violation. Observed a non-food contact portion of the ice maker to have a pink residue build-up. Corrected.

Ihop #5502, 2701 Meridian Blvd., Wyomissing, Feb. 12: five violations. Two fry baskets being used in the fryer area are not in good repair or condition. Observed an accumulation of standing water and dirt-debris on the floor of the utility closet near the ice machine. Corrected. Observed the accumulation of debris on shelves throughout the facility and the floor of the walk-in cooler. Stand fan being used at the cookline observed with accumulation of dust. Paper towel dispensers empty at the handwash sinks in the cookline, dish, and expo areas. Corrected. Food facility inspection indicates evidence of rodent/insect activity. Facility is continuing with their pest control program.

Main Street Pub & Restaurant, 505 Main St. Po Box 628, Bally, Feb. 12: three violations. Observed deeply scored cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required on the Three door M3 Refrigerator. Observed the 2 door Advantco Freezer, and Refrigerator with an accumulation of dirt, food residue debris on the non-food contact service. Observed grease like build up on the sides of the fryer, wall behind and floor under the fryer and main cook line.

P.J. Auctions LLC, 1143 Gravel Pike, Hereford, Feb. 12: no violations.

Queens' Cafe @ Riverfront Credit Union, 2609 Keiser Blvd., Wyomissing, Feb. 12: two violations. A section of the wall in prep area is made of exposed unfinished drywall and bare wood which is not smooth and easily cleanable. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration.

Subway #35824, 567 Pa Route 100, Bechtelsville, Feb. 12: no violations.

Turkey Hill Minit Market #124, 3664 Seisholtzville Road Po Box 527, Hereford, Feb. 12: one violation. There is observable pink slime like residue in the right side ice chute of the fountain drink machine. Corrected onsite.

Wal-Mart Supercenter #5239, 567 Route 100 N., Bechtelsville, Feb. 12: four violations. Torn and loose rubber door gaskets observed on the #11 to #20 OGP cooling units. Fan guard covers and light guard covers in the dairy walk in cooler, meat room, and produce walk in cooler were observed to have a build up of static dust like debris. Observed paint flaking off the shelving in the dairy walk-in cooler. The first light in the large walk in freezer is missing with the wires exposed. There is observable grease like build up on the wall behind and floor under the fryer in the deli.

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