4 Restaurants Cited For Health Violations In Tredyffrin, Easttown Last Month

Health inspectors visited several restaurants and establishments in Tredyffrin and Easttown last month. Four were considered out of compliance and must pass follow-ups.

Inspected facilities include restaurants, bars, stores that sell food, and institutions that serve food, such as school cafeterias.

Inspections are considered a "snapshot" of each business for the time and date they're conducted. Violations are recorded on the spot, but they're often corrected before the inspector leaves.

But restaurants deemed "out of compliance" may be required to pass a follow-up inspection, pay fines and/or temporarily close to address the issues — depending on the severity of the violations.

Below are the Tredyffrin and Easttown businesses inspected in September. Inspections are conducted by the Chester County Health Department, and more information can be found here.

4 Restaurants Found Out Of Compliance

Here were the restaurants that did not pass inspection:

PHILS FAMOUS PIZZA & STEAKS (521 Lancaster Ave., Berwyn)

Six violations were recorded during a regular inspection on Sept. 9:

• 3-compartment sink set up incorrectly with dish soap in the center compartment as opposed to wash(soap)
• food employee not properly changing gloves and washing hands between tasks.
• multiple food containers in the walk-in refrigerator without labels, including marinara sauce.
• single-use items stored on the floor near the restroom.
• multiple ready-to-eat foods in the walk-in refrigerator without proper date marking, including marinara sauce.
• the wall underneath the table near the food preparation sink had visible buildup and is in need of cleaning.

Consequences: The report says a follow-up inspection will be conducted in 1 to 2 weeks. A fee was issued for the follow-up. (Public records don't show any follow-up inspections at this time.)

MARRIOTT COURTYARD PHILADELPHIA VALLEY FORGE (1100 Drummers Lane, Wayne)

Six violations were reported during a follow-up inspection on Sept. 21:

• The following equipment not observed in good repair; 1- Service bain maire on servery line to ensure cold hold maintains 41 F. This needs to be repaired as it is not maintaining temperature.
• Salsa and cream Cheese food was held at 45°F, in the servery line bain maire rather than 41°F or below as required. The Unit has not been repaired and can only be used for ice bath during breakfast operation only and then emptied.
• The food facility does not maintain a CCHD Certified Food Manager records as required.
• Floor tile by dish machine cracked / missing/ roughened / and is not a smooth, easily cleanable surface.
• Servery Line bain maire observed with upper pans sleeved with smaller pans for burrito and egg sandwich storage. Cold hold will not maintain 41 F with this operation, sleeving the pans will require ice baths to ensure proper cold hold. Product sleeved needs to be placed in the under cabinet after each service.
• Non-food contact surfaces not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of build up and grime; 1- Floor sink at dish machine 2- Floor located under fryers on cook line and cabinet under fryer.

Consequences: A follow-up inspection will be conducted in about three weeks. The restaurant must pay a fee for the follow-up.

VEEKOO ASIAN CUISINE (564 E Lancaster Ave., Berwyn)

Six violations were reported during a follow-up inspection on Sept. 29:

• wet wiping cloths in kitchen area, not being stored in sanitizer solution
• Food Employee observed changing tasks that may have contaminated hands without a proper handwash in-between.
• A garlic and oil mixture was observed sitting at room temperature on the cookline. The garlic and oil were discarded on site. Keep 41 degrees or below at all times. The left sushi cooler was at 46-50 degrees. All TCS items that were above 41 degrees were discarded on site. Repair the sushi cooler and do not use until it has been repaired.
• Deep clean the entire Wok station. Fix the thermometer on the outside of the walk in cooler.
• A cutting board was observed on the ground near the prep sink. During the inspection the cutting board was removed to be washed, rinsed, and sanitize.
• Food facility is using Chlorine Sanitizer at an extremely high concentration of 300ppm, not approved in the Code of Federal Regulations for food contact sanitizing at this level. During the inspection the sanitizer was remade and was at 50-100ppm.

Consequences: A follow-up will be conducted in two weeks. Fees were issued for follow-ups.

LA CABRA BREW PUB (642 Lancaster Ave., Berwyn)

Four violations were observed during a follow-up inspection on Sept. 29:

• Food facility is reduced oxygen packaging food, which has a potential for Clostridium botulinum / Listeria monocytogenes, without documenting or monitoring a secondary food safety barrier.
• Facility has until 12/16/2026 to refinish cement floor in basement dry storage areas.
• Facility needs to provide CCHD with a plan to seal all visible holes in between shiplap on second floor, and in between visible opening in brick walls and throughout facility where they still exist.
• 2 dead mice removed from facility at time of inspection. 1 from the closet area under stairway off main dining room, and 1 from under 2 door Cold beer retail cooler in hallway off main dining room. Mouse-like droppings observed in both areas along with room with garage door used for storage, floor under server drop off station in kitchen, and in a clean utensil storage bin in main kitchen. Facility is currently serviced by TKO pest control company every two weeks.

Consequences: Health inspectors ordered La Cabra to temporarily close in August, but it was allowed to reopen after passing a follow-up a few days later. This recent inspection was the third follow-up. A fourth will be conducted in a few weeks. Follow-up fees were issued.

Restaurants That Passed

Plenty of restaurants and facilities were found to be compliant. Here were the results:

Berwyn

• HANDEL'S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM: regular inspection, one violation
• WESTLAKES CAFE: regular, three violations
• TIRA MISU RISTORANTE: follow-up, two violations
• BERWYN BISTRO (FORMERLY CALLED EXECUTIVE CAFE II): regular, no violations
• PAPA JOHN'S PIZZA (BERWYN): follow-up, one violation
• KUNG FU TEA: follow-up, no violations
• WSFS CAFE - PURE ROOTS: change of owner, one violation
• CONESTOGA HIGH SCHOOL TEAMER FIELD (TEMPO): regular, two violations
• THAI ORCHID INC: follow-up, four violations

Paoli

• OLIVE TREE GREEK GRILL: regular, two violations
• THE BAKERY HOUSE: opening, one violation
• M & M DIM SUM AND HK BBQ RESTAURANT: follow-up, no violations

Wayne

• CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL (29 E Swedesford Rd.): regular, three violations
• CROCODILE CAFÉ: follow-up, no violations
• STARBUCKS COFFEE CO. (125 E Swedesford Rd., Suite 243): regular, two violations

Devon

• ACME MARKETS (700 Lancaster Ave.): complaint, one violation
• DUNKIN DONUTS (891 Lancaster Ave.): opening, no violations