Rodent Droppings Violation, Dozen Violations: Recent Alexandria Restaurant Inspections

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The latest restaurant inspections are posted for the second half of February, and there's a mix of restaurants with violations and no violations.

The Alexandria Health Department's environmental health specialist regularly inspects restaurants and other food service establishments around the city. Each food service establishment gets at least one inspection per year, but the frequency of inspections is based on the type of food prepared and how it is prepared, according to the Virginia Department of Health inspection database. Inspections may be routine visits, follow-up inspections, training inspections, pre-opening inspections, or risk assessment or complaint inspections.

Reports are typically available a week after the inspection. Residents can search for a specific restaurant or browse a map of inspected locations through the online database.

Below are reports for the second half of February at restaurants around Alexandria. One of the notable violations was rodent droppings at Smoking Kow BBQ. The health inspector recommended actions including a deep cleaning and working with a pest control company.

The most violations were at Crafty Crab. The 12 violations included food stored on the freezer floor, unwrapped or uncovered food in the cooler and more. The health inspector made recommendations to correct violations.

Click on each link to see the full report for the restaurants.

Michael's on King: 703 King St. Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 28 (routine)

Violations:

• Observed raw eggs (58°F) not stored in refrigeration equipment that maintains ambient air temperature of 45°F or less. Raw shelled eggs were observed in a unit that had an ambient temperature of 56°F.
• Raw Salmon (50°F), shredded cheese (56°F), and cooked risotto (51°F) in the cold line and milk (51°F) in the fridge in the coffee area were cold holding at improper temperatures.
• Packaged salmon observed thawed in original packaging in the reach-in cooler on the cook line.
• The cutting board(s) along the cookline are heavily scratched and scored.
• The following mechanical refrigeration unit is not currently operating as required to cold hold food at a temperature of 41°F or less: Cold line across from stove.
• There is no covered refuse container for the disposal of feminine napkins in the ladies room stall.
• Caulking at the 3 compartment sink was observed in disrepair and no longer easily cleanable.

Oak Steakhouse: 901 N St Asaph St. Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 28 (routine)

Violations:

• The handwashing facility located at the 3 compartment sink and the back prep line is blocked, preventing access by employees for easy handwashing.
• Observed an accumulation of mold-like substance in the interior of the big ice machine. The interior ceiling of the ice machine and near the chute was the most soiled. Also observed utensils in storage that were visibly soiled.

Fratelli Restaurant: 410 S. Van Dorn St Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Feb. 28 (routine)

Violations:

• Chicken broth (44°F) cold holding inside the walk-in cooler at improper temperatures.
• The cutting board(s) in the dish washing area are heavily scratched and scored.
• The nonfood contact surface of the dish machine and refrigerators had accumulations of grime and/or debris.

Glory Days Grill: 3141 Duke St. Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 28 (routine)

Violations:

• Plumbing at the 3 compartment sink and prep sink are leaking and in disrepair.
• Cutting boards observed with deep scores on the cookline and are no longer easily cleanable.
• Dish machine observed with excessive build up on the machine and the wall behind the machine.
• Hoshizaki drawers for condiments not maintaining 41°F or lower, observed at 51°F.
• Clean and remove the nesting material observed in the hot water closet in the managers office.
• Metered sinks in the restrooms does not run for at least 15 seconds.

King Pollo: 682 S Pickett St. Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Feb. 28 (routine)

Violations:

• Unwrapped or uncovered food stored in the raw chicken stored inside the walk-in cooler.
• Food contact surfaces of the knives, on the wall, above the prep table where the microwave is stored, used to prepare/store TCS food items, were observed soiled with accumulations of food residues.
• Observed spaghetti sitting on the prep table where the microwave is stored at 98°F for more than two hours, not being adequately cooled to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
• Macaroni salad (115°F), potatoes (101°F), and chicken (132°F) hot holding at improper temperatures.
• Diced tomatoes (46°F) and beans with cheese pupusa filling (50°F) inside the serving line prep cooler cold holding at improper temperatures.
• Observed a container of spaghetti cooling for more than 2 hours, at room temperature on the prep table where the microwave is stored.
• Observed beef tongue thawing in a pot of standing water inside the prep sink.
• Insect control devices (glue trap boards and fly swatter) are located over the prep table used where the microwave is stored (dead insects may be impelled or fall).
• Clean metal containers above the 3-compartment sink were not observed stored in a position to allow air-drying, but rather stacked wet.

WooBoi Hot Chicken: 531 Montgomery St. Suite#155 Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 28 (routine)

Violations:

• There is no certified food protection manager to supervise the food establishment's food service employees; the person in charge shall be a certified food protection manager.
• No disposable towels were provided at the hand washing lavatory in the back prep room.

&pizza: 3525 B Richmond Hwy. Alexandria, VA 22305

Last inspection: Feb. 28 (routine)

Violations: No violations found.

Fairlington Pizza & Carry-Out: 1715 Centre Plz Alexandria, VA 22302

Last inspection: Feb. 27 (routine)

Violations:

• There is no certified food protection manager to supervise the food establishment's food service employees; the person in charge shall be a certified food protection manager.
• The cutting board(s) along the pizza cold line are heavily scratched and scored.

Augie's Mussel House & Patio: 1106 King St. Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 27 (routine)

Violations:

• The following food item(s) from damaged packaging were found offered for sale or service: tomato juice and chick peas located in the downstairs storage area.
• The cut lettuce and diced tomatoes on the left salad line were observed 48°F cold holding at improper temperatures.
• No written procedures for the use of time as a public health control with potentially hazardous foods.
• Par cooked fries for which time rather than temperature is being used as a control was not labeled or otherwise marked with a 4 hour cook, serve or discard by time.
• Raw and/or undercooked Salmon and Steak under the salad section is/are offered on the menu, menu board, table tent or brochure without proper disclosure.
• The following mechanical refrigeration unit is not currently operating as required to cold hold food at a temperature of 41°F or less: Left Salad Line (50°F).
• The cutting board(s) along the cook line are heavily scratched and scored.
• Walls and Caulking in the main dish room and the floor under the hand sink in the downstairs bar area noted in need of cleaning.

Makeda Ethiopian Restaurant: 516 A/B S Van Dorn St. Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Feb. 24 (follow-up)

Violations: No violations found.

Pho Vietflare Restaurant: 514 S. Van Dorn St. B Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Feb. 24 (follow-up)

Violations: No violations found.

Royal Nepal: 3807 Mt. Vernon Ave Alexandria, VA 22305

Last inspection: Feb. 24 (routine)

Violations:

• Food employees were not informed in a verifiable manner of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities as they relate to diseases that are transmissible through food.
• Observed employee touch ready to eat food with their bare hands.
• Observed wiping cloths stored on tables and shelves throughout kitchen.
• Cutting board along the prep refrigerator was heavily scratched.

Aslin Beer Co.: 847 S. Pickett St. Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Feb. 24 (follow-up)

Violations: No violations found.

Subway #22343: 3829 Mt. Vernon Ave Alexandria, VA 22305

Last inspection: Feb. 24 (routine)

Violations:

• Observed chipped knife being used to chop vegetables.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe: 1556 Potomac Greens Dr. Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 23 (routine)

Violations: No violations found.

Crafty Crab: 5770 Dow Ave. Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Feb. 23 (routine)

Violations:

• The Person in Charge is not ensuring that employees are using proper methods to rapidly cool time/temperature control for safety foods that are not held hot or are not for consumption within 4 hours.
• Tags missing from the oyster containers (inside the walk-in cooler and near the prep sink area).
• Unwrapped or uncovered food stored in the Pepsi reach-in cooler and the right cookline reach-in cooler.
• Raw chicken (46) inside the reach-in cooler and raw oysters (56) inside a container at the prep sink cold holding at improper temperatures.
• Corn and potatoes were in deep plastic bins cooling near the stove on the cookline.
• Raw chicken thawing in undrained water inside the far left basin of the prep sink. Raw oysters thawing at room temperature on the drainboard of the prep sink.
• Food stored on the floor of the walk-in freezers.
• Unpackaged raw oysters, clams, shrimp, and other seafood stored in direct contact with undrained ice.
• The handles of scoops used for flour and other seasonings stored in contact with the flour and other seasonings.
• When measured, the chlorine concentration at the dish machine was 0ppm.
• The nonfood contact surface of the bar coolers and the cooking equipment (stove and fryer) had accumulations of grime and debris.
• The hood ventilation filters noted in need of cleaning.

La Casa Restaurant: 4551 Duke St. A Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Feb. 23 (follow-up)

Violations: No violations found.

Light Horse: 715 King St. Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 23 (follow-up)

Violations: No violations found.

Eddie's Little Shop & Deli: 1406 King St. Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 23 (routine)

Violations:

• The following raw and/or undercooked foods are provided on the menu, menu board, table tent or brochure without a reminder statement: raw egg in the chopped kale salad.
• Materials used to cover the wall or ceiling in the mop sink are not easily cleanable.

El Tipico Restaurant: 664 S. Pickett St. Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Feb. 22 (routine)

Violations:

• This food establishment has not established written procedures for cleaning up vomiting or diarrheal events that happen in the facility.
• Unwrapped or uncovered food (cooked rice, cooked ground beef, cooked beans, and cooked chicken) stored in the 3-door reach-in cooler in the kitchen.
• The wash temperature of the low temperature chemical sanitizing ware wash machine is not meeting the manufacturer's specifications.
• Floors in the kitchen noted in need of cleaning.

Pho Huy: 4527 Duke St. Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Feb. 22 (follow-up)

Violations: No violations found.

Smoking Kow BBQ: 3250 Duke St. Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 22 (routine)

Violations:

• The following equipment/utensils were observed soiled to sight and touch: the can opener blade was observed soiled.
• The following food items were observed above the cold holding minimum temp of 41 or below: texas caviar (50) at 50 deg F for an unknown amount of time, potato salad at 49 deg F for an unknown amount of time.
• Observed pork belly in the cooling process tightly covered and with saran wrap and stacked in the walk-in cooler.
• Observed mice droppings in the dry storage in the basement.
• Mops and brooms not hung up to air dry.
• Observed that the facility, especially in the kitchen, is in need of cleaning.

CAVA Mezze Grill #10016: 4513 Duke St. Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Feb 22 (follow-up)

Violations: No violations found.

Union Street Public House: 121 S. Union St. Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 21 (routine)

Violations:

• The chemical sanitizer generated by a device located on-site at the food establishment bar dish mamchine is not operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Reading at 0 ppm.

Bugsy's Pizza Restaurant and Sports Bar: 111 King St. Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 21 (routine)

• Soap was not provided at the hand washing lavatory in the kitchen.

Marino's: 3100 Richmond Hwy Alexandria, VA 22305

Last inspection: Feb. 17 (routine)

Violations:

• There was no Certified Food Protection Manager present during inspection.
• The hand washing sink was being used for rinsing wiping cloths and for storage of utensils.
• The interior of the microwave had an accumulation of grime and debris.
• The food contact surfaces of the deli slicer had an accumulation of grime and debris.
• The prepared and commercially processed ready-to-eat (RTE) time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food (deli meat, cooked noodles, lasagna, marinara) in the refrigeration unit is inappropriately marked with a date or time that exceeds the maximum holding time as allowed by law.
• Observed an unlabeled chemical spray bottle at the 3 compartment sink.
• Observed the ice scoop handle in contact with the ice.

Subway: 1470 N. Beauregard St. A Alexandria, VA 22311

Last inspection: Feb. 17 (routine)

Violations:

• Observed bags of chicken sitting in stagnant hot water as well as another bag on the counter.

Electric Cafe: 444 S. Pickett St. Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Feb. 17 (routine)

Violations: No violations found.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop (King): 4690 King St. Alexandria, VA 22302

Last inspection: Feb. 16 (routine)

Violations:

• Observed lettuce (45) and feta (43-48) in the salad dress prep cold holding at improper temperatures.

Turkish Coffee Lady: 1001 King St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 16

Violations: No violations found.

Wing Zone: 4110 Mt. Vernon Ave Alexandria, VA 22305

Last inspection: Feb. 16 (routine)

Violations:

• Wet wiping cloths were stored on tables throughout the kitchen.
• Quaternary ammonium test kit was not available for testing the concentration of the quaternary ammonium sanitizer used in the 3 compartment sink.
• Observed wet mop was not hanging to air dry.

El Pulgarcito: 3838 Mt. Vernon Ave Alexandria, VA 22305

Last inspection: Feb. 16 (routine)

Violations:

• Wet wiping cloths were stored on tables throughout kitchen.
• Observed ice scoop handles touching the ice in the ice bin.
• Cutting board was heavily scratched.

Spice Kraft Indian Bistro: 2607 Mt Vernon Alexandria, VA 22301

Last inspection: Feb. 16 (follow-up)

Violations: No violations found.