Ashburn Restaurant Inspections: Fruit Flies, Week-Old Meat

ASHBURN, VA — Several facilities in the Ashburn area recorded violations during health department inspections between July 11 and July 18.

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.

• Home Plate, 20051 Riverside Commons Plaza, #100 Ashburn, VA 20147
  • Date inspected: July 11
  • Total violations: 1
    • Observed chili, pulled pork that was past 7 day date marking. After speaking with person in charge stated foods item had pulled from the freezer and not correctly date marked after being removed from the freezer.
• China Village, 32 Pidgeon Hill Dr Sterling, VA 20165
  
  • Date inspected: July 11
  • Total violations: 7
    • The hand washing sink located to the left of the line in the back kitchen was observed blocked by a large rice cooker, as well as a container of utensils within its basin, impeding use. Hand washing sinks shall be accessible for employees to wash hands at all times. Handwashing sinks shall not be blocked, or used for any other purpose other than washing hands. Person in charge (PIC) moved the rice cooker so that the sink was accessible and removed the container of utensils so that the hand washing sink could be easily used.
    • No provision for drying hands was available at the hand sink located to the left of the line in the back kitchen area. Hand washing sinks shall be equipped with proper hand drying provisions at all times. Refill/replace the hand towel dispenser or make a hand drying provision available at all times so that employees can dry their hands properly after washing.
    • 2 large containers of tempura chicken were found cooling at improper time/temperature (81F). When asked the person in charge (PIC) stated that the chicken was fried this morning (10am). When cooling time/temperature control for safety foods (TCS) they must cool from 135F to 70F within 2 hours, and from 70F to 41F or less within 4 hours, with the entire process from 135F to 41F or less not to exceed 6 hours. PIC moved the tempura chicken to the walk-in freezer to rapidly cool to 41F or less.
    • Cooked chicken wings, tempura chicken and tempura shrimp were found cold holding on the line at improper temperature (72-74). TCS foods must be maintained at 41F or less to discourage the growth of harmful bacteria. PIC stated that the compressor for the cooler was not working and that it was in the process of being repaired (today). EHS identified all potentially hazardous foods (PHF) that are TCS. PIC voluntarily discarded these food items (tempura chicken & Shrimp, cooked chicken wings). Do not place TCS foods within this cooler until it is repaired and is capable of maintaining temperatures of 41F or less.
    • This facility uses time as the public health control (TPHC) for lomein noodles, cut cabbage and bean sprouts on it's line during lunch and dinner rushes. No time stamp was observed on these items during the inspection. When using TPHC, written documentation in the form of a temperature/time log or other means to track the time that TCS foods are not under proper temperature control must be provided. Time stamp all TCS foods that use TPHC.
    • Foods were observed stored on the floors of the walk-in refrigerator and the walk-in freezer. Food shall be protected from sources of contamination by storing them at least 6" off the floor. Move all foods so that they are at least 6" off the floor.
    • EHS observed several single-use to-go containers drying on a rack after being washed. Single-use articles shall not be re-used. PIC voluntarily discarded the cleaned to-go containers.
• Black Hog BBQ, 20064 Riverside Commons Plaza #180 Ashburn, VA 20147
  
  • Date inspected: July 11
  • Total violations: 1
    • Observed ribs thawing on a rack outside of the walk in cooler. Time/temperature control for safety food shall be thawed: under refrigeration that maintains the food temperature at 41°F or under running water.
• Clove LLC, 45965 Regal Plaza Sterling, VA 20165
  
  • Date inspected: July 11
  • Total violations: 1
    • Raw shell eggs were observed stored over ready to eat (RTE) vegetables, and a container of raw beef was found stored under raw marinating chicken in the walk-in cooler. Person in charge has the raw beef moved to above the raw chicken, and the raw shell eggs moved to the shelf housing the raw chicken.
• Burton's Grill & Bar, 21434 Epicerie Plaza Sterling, VA 20164
  
  • Date inspected: July 12
  • Total violations: 4
    • Chicken wings stored in the cooler across from the grill noted as improperly cooled to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Wings was made the two nights before and has been cooling for more than 24 hours. Cool time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food(s) from 135F to 41F within a total of 6 hours and from 135F to 70F within 2 hours.
    • In-use utensils improperly stored between use. They were stored in warm (84 F)water.
    • Clean kitchen containers observed being stacked on top of each other without allowing them to air dry.
    • Tall reach in freezer door gasket plastic is torn and coming off.
• Delhi 6 Indian Cuisine, 43761 Parkhurst Plaza #124 Ashburn, VA 20147
  
  • Date inspected: July 12
  • Total violations: 3
    • Many Prepared Food Items uncovered.
    • Observed several flies in the back of house.
    • Rice scoops observed in stagnant water.
• Algonkian Reg Park Conf Center, 47001 Fairway Drive Sterling, VA 20165
  
  • Date inspected: July 12
  • Total violations: 3
    • No hand drying provision was available at the hand sink within the dish washing room. All hand sinks that are utilized by employees must be equipped with a hand drying provision. Provide/refill paper towel dispenser.
    • No hand soap was located at the hand sink within the dish washing room. All hand sinks must be equipped with a cleanser to properly wash hands. Provide a cleanser.
    • EHS observed lamb chops, beef tenderloin and flank steak that had recently been prepared (cooked) cooling in a reach-in cooler and covered at 83F, 72F, and 74F. When cooling foods, they should remain uncovered during the cooling process to ensure proper transfer of heat and then covered once the cooling process is complete to protect against sources of contamination. PIC uncovered the cooling meats.
• Subway #23540, 45591 City Center Blvd #126 Sterling, VA 20165
  
  • Date inspected: July 12
  • Total violations: 2
    • Observed Food Residue from the previous day in the in use microwave.
    • Walls by the Back Door near the fire extinguisher and the caulking behind the 3 VAT noted in need of cleaning.
• Sheetz- #666, 21304 Windmill Parc Dr Sterling, VA 20166
  
  • Date inspected: July 12
  • Total violations: 1
    • Observed steak meat cold holding at improper temperature (43F). Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods must be held at 41F or below to prevent growth of harmful bacteria.
• Algonkian Reg Park Golf Course Pro Shop., 47001 Fairway Drive Sterling, VA 20165
  
  • Date inspected: July 12
  • Total violations: 2
    • A can of raid wasp & hornet spray was found stored within the kitchen, on a shelf to the left of the three basin sink. Aerosol insecticides are a restricted use pesticide and must not be used within a food establishment unless administered by a certified applicator. Person in charge removed the spray can to an area outside of the kitchen.
    • The deflector of the ice machine was observed with soil debris on it. The microwave was observed with food debris. Non food contact surfaces shall be cleaned at a frequency that precludes the accumulation of food & soil debris. Clean the deflector and the microwave at a frequency that inhibits the build-up of residues.
• Rio Cantina & Discoteca, 21800 Town Center Plaza #260 Sterling, VA 20166
  
  • Date inspected: July 13
  • Total violations: 5
    • Observed there to be no paper towels at the upstairs bar or the stage left bar.
    • Observed the door to not have a seal at the bottoms of the doors in the back area of the main kitchen or the stage right door allowing for possible pest entry.
    • Observed many fruit flies throughout the establishment.
    • Observed Large Build up of mold like substance in the generating top load of the LS613008 Ice Machine.
    • Observed soiled mops pressed against wall in mop room.
• Caritas Academy, 46386 Logan Way Sterling, VA 20165
  
  • Date inspected: July 14
  • Total violations: 14
    • According to the ""consume by"" date on the prepared ready-to-eat (RTE) whole milk in the refrigerator, the food should have been discarded 6 ago. The date on the whole milk stated 7/9/2023.
• Kabob & Chicken, 45591 Dulles Eastern Plaza #198 Sterling, VA 20166
  
  • Date inspected: July 17
  • Total violations: 4
    • Employee observed entering the kitchen and don't wash his hands before engaging food preparation.
    • Observed ground chicken stored over ready to eat food 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 chickpeas, rice. 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.
    • The refrigerator doors/floors are not cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean.
• Moby Dick House of Kabob, 22000 Dulles Retail Plaza #160 Sterling, VA 20166
  
  • Date inspected: July 17
  • Total violations: 2
    • Saffron rice that is used for garnishing dishes was found hot holding (120F) at improper temperature. When hot holding time/temperature control for safety foods (TCS), the food must be maintained at 135F or more to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. Rice was made at 11:00 am, will be discarded at 3pm if there is any left by that time. EHS discussed using time as the public health control (TPHC). TPHC worksheet was given to the manager. Container of rice must be marked with a time stamp declaring when the food was prepared, or when to discard (no more than 4 hours after the food is made) if TPHC is to be used.
    • Two employees working on the line were observed with no hair restraints. Food employees shall wear hair restraints that are designed to effectively keep their hair from contacting exposed food. Both employees put on hair nets during the inspection.
• Tropical Smoothie Cafe VA 12, 20598 East Hampton Plaza Ashburn, VA 20147
  
  • Date inspected: July 17
  • Total violations: 1
    • The handwashing facility not readily accessible for employees to wash hands in that hand sink located at the rear food prep area is blocked with three bags of chicken being placed on it, preventing access by employees for easy handwashing. A hand washing sink shall be maintained so that it is accessible at all times for employee use.
• Eddie Merlot's Prime Aged Beef & Seafood, 20350 Minot Dr Ashburn, VA 20147
  
  • Date inspected: July 18
  • Total violations: 6
    • Handwashing facility observed without appropriate hand drying provision in that the hand sink at the women's restroom observed without paper towels.
    • Raw animal foods not stored in a manner that prevents cross contamination in that observed raw beef stored above open bag of ready to buns in low boy drawer refrigerator. Prevent potential cross contamination by not storing raw animal foods with or over ready to eat foods.
    • Dishwasher at the bar observed not sanitizing adequately after the wash and rinse cycle.
    • According to the date marking system used on the prepared ready-to-eat (RTE) creamy horse radish sauce in the refrigerator, the food should have been discarded in that the in house prepared creamy horse radish sauce observed held beyond the disposition date on shelf in the walk in refrigerator.
    • Few live fruitflies observed in the dishwashing area in the kitchen and in the bar.
    • Maximum temperature recording thermometer not provided for measuring the maximum temperature for adequate sanitizing of high temperature dishwasher.

The following facilities did not record any violations:

• Oasis Concessions(Claude Moore Park)
• The Shop Gym
• Algonkian Reg Park Pool Snack/ Volcano Island
• Oasis @ Concession by Fields 9/10
• Rusty Taco
• Four Sisters Snack Bar
• Subway
• Taco Zocalo Kitchen
• Subway
• &Pizza
• Kung Fu Tea