Ashburn Restaurant Inspections: Dead Roach In Bar

ASHBURN, VA — Several facilities in the Ashburn area recorded violations during health department inspections between Oct. 25 and Oct. 31.

COVID-19 restrictions around the state have disappeared, 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.

• Rahama African Restaurant, 45665 W Church Rd #103 Sterling, VA 20164
  • Date inspected: Oct. 25
  • Total violations: 12
    • Observed an employees half consumed water bottle at the prep line.
    • Observed that both hand washing sinks have no hand soap in the dispenser or within reach.
    • Observed the hand sink used to store various scoops upon entry and later to hold a disinfectant bucket.
    • Observed the following raw items stored over Ready to Eat Items. Observed raw turkey over romaine lettuce and raw shell egg over scallops. Observed the following prepared items uncovered in cold holding storage: Cooked Fish, Bean Stew, and Spinach Stew.
    • Observed the following items prepared in the last 24-48 hours intended to be kept for up to 72 hours not date labeled: Cooked Fish (to be held for 3 days), Cooked Beans, Bean Stew, Okra Stew, and Cooked Spinach Stew.
    • Observed the followed prepared items in unlabeled containers: Cooked Spinach Dip, Okra Stew, and bean stew.
    • Observed light to be visible under door in the corner. Door sweep not protecting outer opening to prevent possibility of pests entering and the screen on the screen door is broken. 1 fly observed.
    • Observed Raw Shell Eggs Stored on the floor in the Walk In Unit.
    • Hair Restraints-Effectiveness. Employees observed working in the food service area without proper hair restraints. Observed staff in back of house preparing food with beards not covered by beard guard.
    • Observed the containers stored above the 3 VAT Sink to have water in the divots and in between containers not allowing for proper air drying.
    • Observed that the walls, floor, ceiling, and inside of the walk in is in need of a cleaning.
    • Observed a phone on the prep table, shoes in the dry storage, and several employee items throughout the kitchen.
• Matchbox One Loudoun, 44720 Thorndike St Ashburn, VA 20147
  
  • Date inspected: Oct. 25
  • Total violations: 2
    • The handwashing station being used for purposes other than washing hands in that the only handwashing sink at the bar area observed being used as dump sink. Said sink observed with strainer placed in it.
    • The pipe in three compartment sink on second floor dishwashing area observed leaking.
• Sense Of Thai, 20413 Exchange St Ashburn, VA 20147
  
  • Date inspected: Oct. 25
  • Total violations: 8
    • The handwashing facility not readily accessible for employees to wash hands in that two hand sinks located at the food prep area is blocked, preventing access by employees for easy handwashing.
    • Raw chicken observed stored over ready-to-eat cooked pork in low boy refrigeration unit in kitchen.
    • Sprouts and rice noodles registered at 50° in a container on the table. Said food was taken from the walk in refrigerator and had been in said unit for 30 minutes.
    • Date marking not provided to several food items such as sticky rice, fried rice, cooked ducks, cooked chicken wings, lemon chicken and beef broth in the walk in refrigerator. As per the PIC said food items were cooked and placed in said unit 1 to 2 days prior.
    • Two cans of stainless steel cleaner and polish observed being stored with cooking oil spray in a shelf in the kitchen.
    • Observed improper methods used to thaw food in that large containers of pork observed placed in bottom shelf of a shelf outside the walk in refrigerator at room temperature. As per the PIC said food had been thawing to be prepped.
    • Few live fruitflies and a dead roach observed in the bar area.
    • Food stored on the floor or food stored less than 6" above the floor in that several cans of food observed stored on floor in kitchen dry food storage area.
• Falcons Landing Military Retirement Community, 20522 Falcons Landing Circle Sterling, VA 20165
  
  • Date inspected: Oct. 25
  • Total violations: 3
    • Raw bacon was observed stored over ready to eat (RTE) pastrami in a reach in cooler. Raw proteins shall be separated from RTE foods and arranged in a way that prevents cross-contamination. Store raw bacon underneath or away from cooked RTE foods.
    • Chicken stock in the walk-in cooler was temped at 56F, with a date marking of 10/24/23. Time/temperature control for safety foods (TCS) must be maintained at 41F or less. PIC voluntarily discarded the chicken stock.
    • EHS observed several ice cream scoops stored within a dipping well that was not turned on (in stagnant water). Utensils that are in use, shall be stored in between uses on a clean dry surface, in water that is 135F or more, or in constantly running water with enough velocity to wash away food particles. Dipping well was turned on so that water was constantly running.
• Tommy's Place II, 156 Enterprise Street Sterling, VA 20164
  
  • Date inspected: Oct. 25
  • Total violations: 2
    • Observed 2 Large pieces of frozen pork thawing at ambient temperatures.
    • Facility has two expired tubes (8/2022) of bleach test strips.
• Falcons Landing @ West Falls Center, 46661 Algonkian Pkwy Sterling, VA 20165
  
  • Date inspected: Oct. 25
  • Total violations: 7
    • No hand soap was available at the hand washing sink next to the ice machine in the back of the kitchen. All hand sinks utilized by employees must have cleanser available to wash hands. Refill the soap dispenser or provide a cleanser so that employees may properly wash hands.
    • A container of mashed sweet potatoes was observed hot holding at improper temperature (126F). Time/temperature control for safety foods (TCS) shall be maintained at 135F or more when hot holding. Employee took the sweet potatoes to be reheated to 165F or more, and increased the heat setting of the warmer.
    • 2 spray bottles containing cleaning chemicals were found with no identifying information. Toxic materials (cleaners) that are taken from bulk supplies must have the common name of the material labeled on the working container. Label all chemicals with their common name.
    • 2 wet wiping cloths were observed stored on a counter top and the rack system of the dish area, and not within a sanitizing solution. Wet wiping cloths used to wipe down surfaces of counters and equipment must be stored in between uses in a sanitizing solution. Wet wiping cloths were moved to a bucket with 200ppm quat sanitizer.
    • Single-use forks, spoons and knives were observed stored with the food contact surface end exposed. Store these items inverted so that bare hand contact with the food contact end does not occur. Employee voluntarily discarded the utensils that were improperly stored.
    • No testing strips could be provided during the inspection for the Quat sanitizer at the three basin sink. A testing device or strips must be provided so that the concentration of sanitizer can be monitored at all times. Test strips were provided, but they are expired. Provide test strips that are not expired.
    • Floor tiles on the line are cracked, damaged and partially missing. Floors should be smooth, and easily cleanable. Physical facilities shall be maintained in good repair. Repair the tiles so that the floor is easily cleanable.
• Chick-Fil-A / Peet's Coffee, 1 Saarinen Circle Terminal B Sterling, VA 20166
  
  • Date inspected: Oct. 25
  • Total violations: 3
    • Both hand sinks on the Peet's coffee side have paper towel dispensers that are not working. Paper towels not provided for proper hand drying at the hand sinks.
    • Four gallons of milk observed expired in the stand up cooler on the Peet's coffee side. Milk dated 10/24/2023.
    • TCS (time temperature control for safety) foods (prepared sandwiches 48F) cold holding at improper temperatures at the grab and go cooler on the Peet's coffee side.
• Benihana, 21089 Dulles Town Circle Dulles, VA 20166
  
  • Date inspected: Oct. 25
  • Total violations: 1
    • Quaternary ammonium sanitizer at the three-compartment sink observed to be too strong. Sanitizer solution that's been applied to food contact surfaces does not meet the requirements of 21 CFR 178.1010.
• Wendy's 6627, 43195 Broadlands Center Plaza Ashburn, VA 20148
  
  • Date inspected: Oct. 26
  • Total violations: 1
    • Ready to eat time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods held over 24 hours are being kept past their consume by dates labeled on the containers.
• Caritas Academy, 46386 Logan Way Sterling, VA 20165
  
  • Date inspected: Oct. 27
  • Total violations: 2
    • No written or verifiable process/policy for the proper clean-up of vomit/diarrhea was available to review when requested. A written policy/procedure to properly clean up vomit/diarrheal events must be available for employees to follow. EHS printed NOROVIRUS cleanup worksheet and gave to management.
    • Single use containers of animal crackers observed re-used as storage for goldfish crackers, veggie straws, cheese itz and cinnamon toast crunch cereal. Single use articles shall not be reused. Do not reuse these containers once the original product has been used. Use only multi-use containers that are designed to be reused for food storage.
• Burger King, 20065 Riverside Parkway Ashburn, VA 20147
  
  • Date inspected: Oct. 27
  • Total violations: 2
    • An unopened container of cream was found stored in a reach in cooler with an expiration date of 10/22/2023. Fluid milk and milk products shall be of grade a standard. Once fluid milk or milk products pass the printed expiration date, they are no longer considered grade A. Person in charge (PIC) voluntarily discarded the container of cream.
    • A box of raw bacon was observed stored over ready to eat (RTE) cheese slices in the walk-in cooler. Raw animal proteins shall be separated from RTE foods and arranged in a way so that juices from raw proteins cannot splash, drip, or seep into RTE foods. Bacon was moved to an adjacent shelf, on the bottom level.
• Bowl America-Dranesville, 46940 Woodson Drive Sterling, VA 20164
  
  • Date inspected: Oct. 27
  • Total violations: 1
    • Tile area underneath the Jackson Tempstar and Main Walk in Unit noted in need of cleaning.
• Rais Pizza, 21595 Smith Switch Rd Ashburn, VA 20147
  
  • Date inspected: Oct. 30
  • Total violations: 2
    • Open drinking containers stored in a manner that may contaminate food, food contact surfaces or utensils. Food employees may drink only from a covered container using a straw.
    • Observed raw ground beef and raw shell eggs stored over ready to eat food in cooler. Prevent potential cross contamination by not storing raw animal foods over ready to eat foods.

The following facilities did not record any violations:

• Cold Spoon
• Kindercare Learning Center
• Park View Patriots Club
• The Learning Village School
• Pizza Hut
• Naz Halal
• Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse
• Dunkin Donuts / Baskin Robbins
• Smashburger
• Goshen Post Elementary School