Ashburn Health Inspections: Yummy Shawarma, Da-On Sushi

ASHBURN, VA — Several facilities in the Ashburn area recorded violations during health department inspections between April 12 and April 18.

Almost all COVID-19 restrictions around the state have relaxed, so health inspectors are returning to conduct some restaurant inspections in person. However, some visits, such as those for training purposes, can be conducted virtually.

Violations at restaurants typically focus on factors that can contribute to food contamination. The local health department can also perform a re-inspection to ensure that possible violations have been corrected.

For every observed violation, the inspector provides a specific corrective action that can be completed to rectify the violation. Sometimes these are simple, and violations can be corrected during the course of the inspection.

Here are the most recent restaurant inspections in the Ashburn area, according to the Loudoun County Health Department.

• Opa Mezza Grill, 44110 Ashburn Shopping Plaza #170 Ashburn, VA 20147
  • Date inspected: April 12
  • Total violations: 2
    • Several containers of food observed stored uncovered in prep cooler, and container of vegetables stored directly inside container of sliced onions touching the onions. Food shall be stored protected from possible contamination.
    • Air gap not provided at dish machine rinse sink. Observed sprayer nozzle hanging below flood level rim of the rinse sink basin. Air gap shall be provided to prevent back-siphonage into the municipal water supply.
• Emilio's Brick Oven Pizza, 22207 Shaw Rd A-10 Sterling, VA 20166
  • Date inspected: April 12
  • Total violations: 6
    • There is no CFM onsite, nor can one be reached. It is unlawful to operate without a reachable CFM.
    • Handwashing Sink at the front area does not contain a faucet.
    • Observed no means of drying hands at the back area hand washing sink.
    • Observed Hand Washing Sink in the back kitchen to not have hand soap.
    • Observed the following tcs food items cold holding out of temperature range at the prep top by the grill: Sausage at 47F and Pepperoni at 49F.
    • Bleach test strips for testing sanitizer at 3 compartment sink not available and the American Dish Service Machine not available.
• Lakshmi Chowk, 21770 Beaumeade Circle #110 Ashburn, VA 20147
  • Date inspected: April 12
  • Total violations: 3
    • Raw ground beef stored above cooked ready to eat food in the walk in cooler. Raw animal origin food should be stored below RTE food to prevent contamination.
    • A large container of yogurt was observed in the walk in cooler which was made in house. According to the owner they order the yogurt from the vendor, and this was a one-time incident. Stop making yogurt until you have received a variance.
    • Whole muscle meat observed thawing on the kitchen counter. Thawing should be done in the walk-in cooler overnight or under the running water.
• El Dorado Grill, 22034 Shaw Rd #101 Sterling, VA 20164
  • Date inspected: April 12
  • Total violations: 4
    • Observed 2 food employees putting on gloves before beginning food preparation without first washing hands.
    • Observed only handwashing sink in the prep area to be used for storage of steel wool, pans, and various items.
    • Observed light shining through the bottoms of both doors to the outside. Observed 2 fruit flies at the bar area.
    • Observed 3 in use tongs stored on the oven handle.
• Subway, 23560 Overland Dr Ste 130 Sterling, VA 20166
  • Date inspected: April 12
  • Total violations: 3
    • This food establishment does not have an employee, with management and supervisory responsibility, that is a Certified Food Protection Manager.
    • Manager was unable to provide a signed copies of employee health reporting agreement for herself.
    • The person in charge did not know the 6 big foodborne illnesses that are reportable to the department.
• La Petite Academy, 20110 Ashburn Village Blvd Ashburn, VA 20147
  • Date inspected: April 13
  • Total violations: 1
    • Observed the following food items in a state of cold holding above 41F: Shredded Romaine from yesterday at 49F and Cheddar Cheese at 45F.
• Celebrations By Rupa Vira, 44260 Ice Rink Plaza #120 Ashburn, VA 20147
  • Date inspected: April 13
  • Total violations: 6
    • Employee observed drinking tea out of an uncovered cup in the kitchen. Food employees may drink only from a covered container using a straw.
    • Employee observed using his bare hand to remove the lettuce from the container. Food employees shall minimize bare hand and arm contact with exposed food that is NOT in a ready-to-eat food. Foods like sugar, salt, flour, starch, etc. shall be dispensed using food scoops or utensils that are designed with handles to minimize bare hand contact.
    • There are no paper towels at the hand sink to dry hands. There must be paper towels available at hand sink for proper hand drying at all times.
    • Raw chicken stored above ready to eat food in the walk in cooler. Prevent potential cross contamination by not storing raw animal foods over ready to eat foods.
    • Observed time/temperature control for safety foods (TCS) not properly dated for disposition. Foods not labeled include: cooked chicken, lamb. Ready to eat TCS foods held over 24 hours must be date marked with either made on date or date the food item must be consumed not to exceed 7 days.
    • Fried lotus roots, onion, and spinach were observed on the kitchen counter. A food establishment shall obtain a variance from the Regulatory Authority as specified in 8-103.10 and under 8-103.11 preparing food by another method that is determined by the Regulatory Authority to require a variance.
• Velocity Wings, 25360 Eastern Marketplace Plaza #150 South Riding, VA 20152
  • Date inspected: April 13
  • Total violations: 2
    • A container of milk and a small container of lemons observed placed directly on ice. As per the PIC said ice used for direct consumption by the customer.
    • Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods must be held at 41°F or below in that chicken tenders registered at 57°F in a holding unit at room temperature in the kitchen. As per the PIC said chicken were placed in said unit less than an hour prior to hold for frying during the rush time.
• PHO Factory, 44110 Ashburn Shopping Plaza #194 Ashburn, VA 20147
  • Date inspected: April 13
  • Total violations: 3
    • Observed Ice Scoop lying flat in potable ice bin.
    • Bleach test strips for testing sanitizer at 3 CMA Dishwashing Machine and 3 VAT sink found to have an expiration date of "8/21"
    • Observed the Hand Washing Sink by the front to be leaky.
• Potbelly Sandwich Shop (TERMINAL B), 1 Saarinen Cir. Dulles, VA 20166
  • Date inspected: April 13
  • Total violations: 1
    • Commercially bagged soups observed hot holding at improper temperatures after being reheated in a pot of water. Soups registered at 98F. According to the person in charge(PIC) once the soups are reheated the burner is turned off and soups are left in the warm water until they are needed on the line. EHS discussed options for the bagged soups including leaving them in the walk in cooler until they are needed and then reheating them just before opening the bag since according to the PIC it only takes 15 minutes to heat them.
• Wendy's, 1 Saarinen Cir. Dulles, VA 20166
  • Date inspected: April 13
  • Total violations: 1
    • Both hand sinks in the kitchen observed out of paper towels for proper hand drying. Provide paper towels at all hand sinks at all times so employees can properly dry their hands.
• Golden Pond School, 43940 Farmwell Hunt Plaza Ashburn, VA 20147
  • Date inspected: April 14
  • Total violations: 1
    • Observed can of marinara sauce stored on the stove at the room temperature,64 degrees. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods must be held at 41F or below to prevent growth of harmful bacteria.
• Da-On Sushi, 43930 Farmwell Hunt Plaza 100 Ashburn, VA 20147
  • Date inspected: April 14
  • Total violations: 6
    • The person in charge was unable to make a sanitizer solution or describe the relationship between the prevention of foodborne disease and the oversight of the following: (1) Cross contamination, (2) Hand contact with ready-to-eat foods, (3) Handwashing, and (4) Maintaining a clean food establishment.
    • Employee observed drying her hand after washing with her apron. Use paper towels to dry hands.
    • Observed raw shell eggs and raw tuna fish stored over ready to eat food in cooler. Prevent potential cross contamination by not storing raw animal foods over ready to eat foods.
    • Artificial crab, tuna fish observed on the counter and in the reach in cooler cold holding food at improper temperature. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods must be held at 41F or below.
    • Observed time/temperature control for safety foods (TCS) not properly dated for disposition. Foods not labeled include: spinach, boiled egg, cooked shrimp. Ready to eat TCS foods held over 24 hours must be date marked with either made on date or date the food item must be consumed not to exceed 7 days.
    • Sushi rice stored on the counter without a proper date labeling. Also no written procedures exist for the use of time only as a public health control for a working supply sushi rice.
• McDonald's, 43210 Southern Walk Plaza Ashburn, VA 20148
  • Date inspected: April 15
  • Total violations: 1
    • There is a gap between the floor and the back door. Outer openings of a food establishment shall be protected against the entry of insects and rodents.
• Yummy Shawarma, 21100 Dulles Town Circle Sterling, VA 20166
  • Date inspected: April 17
  • Total violations: 8
    • This food establishment has not established procedures for cleaning up vomiting or diarrheal events that happen in the facility.
    • Uncovered employee drink was observed on the kitchen counter. Food employees may only eat, drink, or use tobacco in a designated area like a dining room or office area. Employees shall not eat or drink in the kitchen areas, warewashing areas, or storage areas where items may become contaminated.
    • Employees observed not washing hands in between tasks.. Instruct food employees to clean their hands and exposed portions of their arms immediately before engaging in food preparation including working with exposed food, clean equipment and utensils, and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles and during food preparation, as often as necessary to remove soil and contamination and to prevent cross contamination when changing task.
    • Gyro cones are prepared in a private home. Food is distributed or offered for sale to the public. Food shall be obtained from sources that comply with the Law.
    • Observed raw chicken shawarma cone stored over ready to eat food in cooler. Prevent potential cross contamination by not storing raw animal foods over ready to eat foods.
    • Observed marinara sauce hot holding at improper temperature 107(F). Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods must be hot held at 135F or above to prevent growth of harmful bacteria.
    • Mixture of garlic, mayo and pasteurized egg (shawarma sauce) stored right next to the grill at 68 degrees. Food should be cold held at 41 degrees or below.
    • Observed time/temperature control for safety foods (TCS) not properly dated for disposition. Foods not labeled include: cooked beef, rice pudding. Ready to eat TCS foods held over 24 hours must be date marked with either made on date or date the food item must be consumed not to exceed 7 days.
• Signature Burgers & Hotdogs, 21100 Dulles Town Circle Sterling, VA 20166
  • Date inspected: April 17
  • Total violations: 4
    • Observed raw shell egg stored over ready to eat food in cooler. Prevent potential cross contamination by not storing raw animal foods over ready to eat foods.
    • The food-contact surface of the chili container observed with accumulation of food crust around the side. Food contact surfaces should be cleaned at an appropriate frequency.
    • Observed cute lettuce and sliced tomato cold holding at improper temperature (F) at the front cooler. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods must be held at 41F or below to prevent growth of harmful bacteria.
    • Chemical spray bottle observed without the proper labeling. All working containers of toxic materials should have a label with the common name of the material in it.
• Bar Louie, 20586 Easthampton Plaza Ashburn, VA 20147
  • Date inspected: April 17
  • Total violations: 3
    • Two containers of queso registered at 52°F on a table next to the steam table in the kitchen. As per the PIC, it was kept there to warm up before it is heated.
    • Few fruit flies (six) observed in cold drink prep area in kitchen.
    • Ice machine panel observed with mildew build up. Said ice used for consumption.
• LoCo Kitchen, LLC, 1306 Squire Court, Suite D Sterling, VA 20166
  • Date inspected: April 18
  • Total violations: 1
    • Due to improper operation of the low temperature chemical sanitizing mechanical warewashing machine, equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils are not sanitized after cleaning.
• Burger King # 12041, 45609 Falke Plaza Sterling, VA 20166
  • Date inspected: April 18
  • Total violations: 2
    • EHS observed that not all employees on site at the time of the inspection had documentation of receiving training of the Employee Health Reporting policy. Verifiable means that ALL food employees have been trained in the signs and symptoms of food borne illness and how to properly report them must be available for review upon request. EHS printed one copy for the employee who had not read and signed this document, and a master copy for the facility to keep for any new employees/transfers.
    • A personal cell phone and a charging container for ear pods (headphones) were observed stored on prep surfaces and next to single-use cups that were not wrapped. Personal items must be stored away from food prep areas, clean equipment, single-use items, utensils etc. and kept in areas designated for employee items. Person in charge had the phone and ear buds moved to the employee area.

The following facilities did not record any violations:

• The Yard Milkshake Bar
• Montessori Childrens House of Loudoun
• Ox Deli
• Greg Crittenden Park
• Subway
• Blackfinn Ameripub
• Uptown Cafe
• Montessori Kid's Universe
• Merones Buon Appetito Catering
• Lemon Hookah Lounge
• Papa John's Pizza #433
• Guidepost Montessori at Sterling
• O'Malley's /Grandpa Hank's Jamaican Kitchen(Holiday Inn Dulles)
• Thai Ashburn Restaurant