Ashburn Restaurant Inspections: Dead Mouse, Mouse Droppings

ASHBURN, VA — Several facilities in the Ashburn area recorded violations during health department inspections between Sept. 6 and Sept. 12.

COVID-19 restrictions around the state have relaxed, so health inspectors conduct most 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.

• Sommerset Retirement Community, 22355 Providence Vllg Dr Sterling, VA 20164
  • Date inspected: Sept. 6
  • Total violations: 2
    • Large bowl of raw chicken improperly stored over an open box of corn in the walk-in cooler. Two containers of raw chicken improperly stored over a container of pickles in the low boy cooler of the line sandwich station.
    • The ceiling tiles throughout the kitchen have visible dust and debris built up in certain areas (over clean equipment shelf near the dish machine and also over the stacked reach in coolers on the line). According to the person in charge the ceiling tiles are no longer cleanable. They stated that they have tried to clean them but they either break or the debris is not removable.
• Country Inn & Suites Sterling, 45620 Falke Plaza Sterling, VA 20166
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 7
  • Total violations: 1
    • The test strips found onsite to monitor the concentration of sanitizer for food contact surfaces is designed to measure chlorine. The sanitizer utilized here is Quat Ammonium. Appropriate test trips that monitor the concentration of the sanitizer used must be provided. Procure test strips for Quaternary Ammonium, not Chlorine.
• Subway, 21950 Cascades Parkway Sterling, VA 20165
  • Date inspected: Sept. 7
  • Total violations: 3
    • Ambient Air Thermometer on the inside of the Walk in Cooler is 20F off from accurate temperature. 2 other thermometers are utilized, but the one in the warmest part of the unit is not functioning.
    • Undercounter Cold Holding Unit Freezes over the fan when unit is turned to adequate temperature for proper cold holding.
    • Walls in need of cleaning.
• Panera Bread #1579, 46300 Potomac Run Plaza #130 Sterling, VA 20164
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 7
  • Total violations: 3
    • Observed employee pouring jugs of milk into hand sink.
    • When asked why sanitize basin was not set up, manager advised they do not use the sanitizer basin. Advised they spray the equipment/utensils with sanitizer instead.
    • Cooler used for holding catering items and butter and creamer is holding at 51F. Foods in this cooler are out of temperature and were relocated.
• Five Guys Burgers & Fries, 46220 Potomac Run Plaza Sterling, VA 20164
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 7
  • Total violations: 1
    • Observed cooked diced onion an cooked mushrooms hot holding at improper temperature (94-108F). Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods must be hot held at 135F or above to prevent growth of harmful bacteria. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods must be hot held at 135F or above to prevent growth of harmful bacteria. Employee rapidly reheated food to 165F and placed in hot hold unit at proper temperatures.
• King's Buffet, 21950 Cascades Parkway #140 #130 Sterling, VA 20164
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 7
  • Total violations: 7
    • Observed a small dead mouse on a glue trap underneath the soup hot holding area in the back of house.
    • Observed mouse dropping like evidence by the employee tea leaves.
    • Observed Dishwashing Machine ES2000HT to be functioning with a confirmed data plate temperature of 161.24F. (verified by inspector - Temp Rite Strip, Gauge), however restaurant still has no means to verify.
    • Observed that Ice Machine's Guard inside machine has black and pink residue.
    • Observed the hot water nozzle (right side) at the 3 vat sink by the dishwashing machine to be leaking/spitting out water.
    • EHS observed multiple holes in the walls of the establishment. One of which is behind the hot water heater.
    • Observed a few employee personal items in the back of house outside of the employee storage area: phone, backpack, etc.
• McDonald's #14127, 20880 Pidgeon Hill Dr Sterling, VA 20165
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 7
  • Total violations: 1
    • Minimal amounts of a dark soil residue was observed on the inside bin of the ice machine. Food contact surfaces shall be clean to sight and touch. Clean the inside bin of the ice machine.
• Fountain Grill, 44927 George Washington Blvd #125 Ashburn, VA 20147
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 6
  • Total violations: 3
    • Kitchen manager could not locate proper documentation of an employee health policy showing kitchen staff are properly trained to report symptoms of illnesses transmittable through food.
    • Low chemical dishwasher not sanitizing adequately after wash and rinse cycle. Food contact surfaces shall be properly sanitized after washing. Maintain 50-100 parts per million in a dish machine using Chlorine sanitizer for proper sanitization.
    • Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods must be hot held at 135°F or above to prevent growth of harmful bacteria in that observed marinara sauce registered hot held at 120°F.
• Yen's Cafe, 43490 Yukon Dr #113 Ashburn, VA 20147
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 6
  • Total violations: 6
    • Employee observed walking into the facility and engaged in food preparation. 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.
    • 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 sausage 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 cut cabbage and pasta cold holding at improper temperature (F) on the kitchen counter. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods must be held at 41F or below to prevent growth of harmful bacteria.
    • Observed time/temperature control for safety foods (TCS) not properly dated for disposition. Foods not labeled include: cooked pork, fried chicken. 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.
    • Containers of medicines stored on the kitchen counter.
• McDonald's, 20961 Southbank Street Sterling, VA 20165
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 6
  • Total violations: 3
    • The facility does not have a written policy or procedure to properly clean up vomit or diarrhea. Written documentation or procedure must be available for employees to follow to ensure that vomit or diarrheal events are properly cleaned/sanitized. EHS printed Norovirus clean-up worksheet and gave to person in charge (PIC).
    • The towel dispenser at the hand washing sink by the drive thru window/dish area is not dispensing paper towels. Hand drying provisions must be available to all hand sinks that are utilized by employees. PIC corrected the hand towel dispenser so that it is dispensing paper towels.
    • Time as the public health control (TPHC) is used for burgers/chicken filets/nuggets/eggs/sausage etc. on the line. EHS observed that the time systems that are to be used to monitor the times these items are held was not in use. When using TPHC, the time must be monitored by logging or use of the time systems. PIC reset the times for all food items that were being held.
• Jakes Wayback Burgers, 43670 Greenway Corporate Dr #104 Ashburn, VA 20147
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 8
  • Total violations: 2
    • Food contact surfaces of chili container observed with accumulation of food residues. Clean cooking/baking equipment at least every 24 hours.
    • The nonfood-contact surfaces of the following equipment were observed with black residues: Ice machine.
• Phonomenal, 20447 Exchange St Ashburn, VA 20147
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 8
  • Total violations: 1
    • Employee's coffee cup stored on the work table. Food employees may drink only from a covered container using a straw.
• Big Buns Damn Good Burgers, 20602 Easthampton Parkway Ashburn, VA 20147
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 8
  • Total violations: 2
    • Cut tomatoes with other vegetables observed with mold growth in a container on the shelf in walk in refrigerator.
    • Raw animal food holding in a manner that may cause cross contamination of to ready-to-eat food (RTE) in that raw beef burgers observed stored next to ready to eat butter in the shelf in the walk in refrigerator.
• La Fe Bakery & Deli, 95 Sugarland Run Dr Sterling, VA 20164
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 8
  • Total violations: 6
    • There is no signage at the hand sink in the back of the kitchen reminding employees to wash their hands. All hand sinks utilized by employees should be provided with signage reminding employees to wash their hands. Provide this signage.
    • The hand towel dispenser at the hand sink on the line (front) is not properly dispensing hand towels. All hand sinks utilized by food employees must have access to a hand drying provision. Person in charge (PIC) put new batteries into the dispenser. Dispenser is now working.
    • Raw beef was found stored over ready to eat (RTE) vegetables. Food shall be protected from cross contamination by separating raw animal proteins from RTE foods and arranging them in a way that eliminates cross-contamination risks. Raw beef was moved to a shelf below the vegetables and away from RTE foods.
    • A bag of meatballs (46F), and a bag of grilled beef (48F) were found in the reach-in cooler cold-holding at improper temperature (41F or less). Time/temperature control for safety foods (TCS) foods that are RTE shall be maintained at 41F or less at all times. PIC voluntarily discarded both bags of food.
    • No date marking of TCS RTE foods is being done within the facility. PIC was able to produce date stickers but they are not being used by staff. When keeping TCS RTE foods longer than 24 hours, a date that the food item was prepared/opened or a discard date not to exceed 7 days must be labeled on the food/container. Date label all TCS RTE foods.
    • Plumbing at the three basin sink has had work, but food debris and waste waster runoff are still observed on the floor creating stagnant wastewater that is not draining. Plumbing shall be in good repair. Repair the plumbing so that there are no leaks on the floor and, the grease trap is not blocked and water is not accumulating on the floor.
• Bar Louie, 20586 Easthampton Plaza Ashburn, VA 20147
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 11
  • Total violations: 1
    • Buffalo sauce for the wings prepared in the facility observed held beyond seven days, the disposition date in the reach in refrigerator.
• Asian Fusion, 44260 Ice Rink Plaza #106 Ashburn, VA 20147
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 11
  • Total violations: 8
    • A food employee failed to wash his or her hands before engaging in food preparation, after handling raw shell eggs.
    • Observed walk in cooler cold holding food (cooked chicken, Manchouri sauce, cooked white rice) at improper temperature (F). Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods must be held at 41F or below to prevent growth of harmful bacteria.
    • Frozen time/temperature control for safety (TCS) raw fish food slacked at improper temperatures in water.
    • The back door in the kitchen observed being open.
    • Vegetable soup stored on the floor. Elevate food storage onto approved shelving with minimum 6" legs or casters.
    • Fried chicken drumstick stored in a cardboard box. Food contact surfaces of equipment and utensils should be finished to have a smooth, cleanable surface.
    • Soda machine observed with accumulation of black residues.
    • The kitchen floor and bottom shelves of the working tables are not cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean.
• Senior Center @ Cascades, 21060 Whitfield Place Sterling, VA 20165
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 12
  • Total violations: 2
    • A written policy/procedure for the effective clean-up of vomit and diarrhea was not observed during the inspection and was unable to be provided. A written policy/procedure for proper clean-up of these events is required. EHS gave person in charge (PIC) a copy of the NOROVIRUS clean-up worksheet. Post where employees may easily access.
    • Test strips to monitor the concentration of QUAT Sanitizer at the three basin sink was unable to be provided. Test strips or other device used to monitor the concentration of sanitizer must be available. Procure QUAT test strips for the three basin sink.
• Saffron House of Kabob, 20921 Davenport Dr #133 Sterling, VA 20165
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 12
  • Total violations: 14
    • Proper oversight of this facility is not being performed. Priority and Priority Foundation violations continue to be repeated. Proper handling of food and food contacts (temperature abuse, cross-contamination risks, employee supervision etc.) are not being practiced. The person in charge (PIC) shall have supervisory control of the prep, cooking, cooling, storing and general handling of foods. Proper oversite of these processes must be conducted by the owner or an employee that has been appointed with managerial control.
    • The facility does not have a written policy/procedure to properly clean-up vomit or diarrheal events. A written policy/procedure to properly clean-up vomit & diarrhea must be available. EHS gave NOROVIRUS clean-up worksheet to employee. Keep this in the facility and available to employees.
    • Both hand sinks (Front & Back) are blocked with items in their basins. Hand sinks shall be free of all obstacles and provide unimpeded access to employees at all times to promote frequent hand washing. Hand sinks shall be used for no other purpose than to wash hands. Discontinue using hand sinks as storage immediately.
    • Ready to eat (RTE) buns were observed stored with raw shell eggs both directly over and under the eggs, with at least one shell that was compromised and potentially leaking onto the packages of buns. Raw chicken was also observed stored over raw beef in the walk-in cooler. Food shall be protected from cross contamination by separating raw animal proteins from RTE foods, and by separating raw animal proteins from one another and arranging them from lowest internal cook temperature (top) to highest (Bottom).
    • Cut tomatoes, and feta cheese on the line were found cold holding at improper temperatures (61F, 62F). Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods shall be maintained at 41F or less. Keep top of cooler closed when not in use. Suggest use of ice to keep TCS foods cold.
    • This facility repeatedly does not utilize date marking for foods that are kept over 24 hours. No date marking was found on any food items within the facility. When keeping TCS foods that are ready to eat (RTE) for longer than 24 hours, a date that the food item was prepared/opened, or a discard date not to exceed 7 days from the day that the food item was prepared/opened shall be labeled on the food/container. Date label ALL TCS RTE foods.
    • This facility is using time as the public health control (TPHC) for saffron rice that is used as garnish on/in their rice dishes and is kept at room temperature. No time stamp or other indication/log of time keeping for this was observed within the facility. When using TPHC, written documentation of a log or other means to track time that the TCS RTE food is not under temperature control must be available and used. EHS has discussed TPHC, the use of this, a worksheet for this practice and instructions on how to time stamp. No indication this procedure is being practiced.
    • A spray bottle of clear liquid with no identifying information was found at the grill on the line. When using unmarked containers to house liquids, the common name of the material must be labeled on the container so that toxic and non toxic materials are not mixed on food or food contact surfaces. Label all unmarked spray bottles.
    • Large containers of basmati rice were observed covered while actively cooling. When cooling foods, they must remain uncovered so that proper heat exchange is met and rapid cooling is achieved. Do not cover cooling foods until they have properly cooled. PIC uncovered the rice so that it could cool properly.
    • Facility continues to offer foods made and packaged within the facility with no labeling or date marking. Foods packaged in a food establishment shall be labeled as specified in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. EHS has thoroughly explained this process to the facility repeatedly with no improvement.
    • Bins of chicken/prepared foods observed stored directly on the floor of the walk-in cooler. Foods shall be protected from contamination by storing them at least 6" off the floor. Do not store food(s) on the floor.
    • No employee was observed wearing hair restraints. All observed engaged in food prep/cooking. Employees must wear effective hair restraints that ensures hair does not come in contact with food or food contact surfaces.
    • 2 wet wiping clothes were observed in the prep area of the kitchen, stored directly on the prep table. Wet wiping clothes that are in-use must be stored in between uses in a sanitizing solution. No sanitizing buckets or sanitizing basin was observed in the kitchen or on the line.
    • Facility was unable to provide testing strips for the sanitizer used . Testing strips or other device must be available to test and monitor the concentration of sanitizers. Provide test strips.
• Starbucks Coffee #29478, 44735 Thorndike St #100 Ashburn, VA 20147
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 12
  • Total violations: 2
    • Several live fruit flies observed in rear food storage area and in front food prep area.
    • Facility observed with old food debris and accumulation of water on the floor.

The following facilities did not record any violations:

• Quickway Japanese Hibachi
• Tsaocaa
• HHMI Main Kitchen
• HHMI Pub
• Potomac Falls High School
• Chick-Fil-A Sugarland Crossing
• & Pizza
• Chick-Fil-A
• Champs Pizza
• Rolling Ridge Elementary School
• Countryside Elementary School
• Toosso
• Lowes Island Elementary School
• Ridgetop Coffee & Tea
• Sweetgreen
• River Bend Middle School
• Kung Fu Tea
• Naz Halal
• Moorefield Station Elementary School
• Rock Ridge High School (Outdoor Concession)
• Rock Ridge High School
• Rock Ridge High School( Indoor Concession)
• Rosa Lee Carter Elementary School
• Au Bon Pain #810265
• Vino Volo
• Five Guys- Dulles B 71
• Ashburn Elementary School
• Eddie Merlot's Prime Aged Beef & Seafood
• Sarku Japan
• Honor Brewing Company