Falls Church Restaurant Inspections: 19 Violations At 1 Place

FALLS CHURCH, VA — With Fairfax County Health Department's restaurant inspection reports back online, we continue to look at reports around greater Falls Church.

The health department's environmental health staff inspect over 5,200 restaurants and other retail food service establishments in Fairfax County and cities of Falls Church and Fairfax to ensure safe food handling practices are followed. This includes proper sanitation, food storage and preparation, and adequate kitchen facilities. Aside from restaurants, staff inspect child care centers, hospitals, school cafeterias, and temporary food service vendors at festivals.

Until this summer, food establishment inspection reports had been unavailable online since 2019 as the health department worked to launch a new online system. Residents can search for a specific restaurant or browse a map of inspected locations through the online database.

The health department cautions residents that a single inspection should not be used to evaluate a restaurant. Pieter Sheehan, the Fairfax County environmental health director, says "it is important to look at multiple inspection reports for a facility to truly understand their approach and commitment to food safety and sanitation."

This week's report focuses on restaurant inspections in the Lee Highway and Arlington Boulevard corridors west of Falls Church City since July. One notable result was 19 violations at El Taquito Restaurante Bar & Grill. According to the report, the restaurant voluntarily closed due to "inadequate refrigeration" and can reopen with a follow-up inspection. The health department recommended violations be corrected before scheduling a follow-up inspection.

Click on each link to see the full report for the restaurant.

Sarita's Restaurant: 2794 Graham Rd., Falls Church, Va 22042

Last inspection: Oct. 4

Violations: No violations found.

Ba Le Bakery and Deli: 2822 Graham Rd., Falls Church, Va 22042

Last inspection: July 21

Violations: Observed the handsink at the front being used as a dump sink; refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food that is prepared on site is not used or discarded within 24 hours of preparation and was not observed to be date marked: head cheese, stuffed buns, steamed pork and other food items in the walk-in-cooler; person in charge is not a certified food protection manager; no hand soap available at back handsink and the dispenser does not work; nonfood-contact surfaces of the following equipment had accumulations of grime and debris: refrigerator gaskets and hood; surfaces of ice bins, beverage dispensing nozzles, and enclosed components of equipment are not being cleaned as required.

Pho Sate: 2814 Graham Rd., Falls Church, Va 22042

Last inspection: Sept. 8

Violations: Food employee was observed handling the following ready-to-eat foods using their bare hands: vegetables and meat for pho; food item(s) for which time rather than temperature is used as a control is not marked or otherwise identified to indicate the time that is 4 hours past the point in time when the food is removed from temperature control: bean sprouts; water is leaking from walk-in-cooler fan.

Wendy's: 7391 Lee Hwy., Falls Church, Va 22042

Last inspection: Aug. 18

Violations: No violations found.

Loving Hut: 2842 Rogers Dr., Falls Church, Va 22042

Last inspection: Sept. 29

Violations: Food item(s) were observed hot holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: brown rice observed at 101F in warmer; food thermometers are not accurate in degrees F; food stored on the floor and/or food stored less than 6 inches off the floor; dispensing and/or in-use utensils improperly stored between use as follows: in containers of room temperature water; nonfood-contact surface of the following equipment is not corrosion resistant, nonabsorbent, and/or smooth: observed cardboard and newspaper lining shelving; manufacturer containers (previously for peeled garlic) were observed reused for the storage of various TCS and non TCS foods; food items that are not easily identified by appearance were observed without a label.

Settle Down Easy Brewing Co: 2822 Fallfax Dr., Falls Church, Va 22042

Last inspection: Aug. 4

Violations: No violations found.

Huqqa Lounge: 2828 Fallfax Dr., Falls Church, Va 22042

Last inspection: Aug. 30

Violations: Raw animal food storage, preparation, holding or display conducted in a manner that may cause cross contamination of ready-to-eat food as follows: raw chicken and meat stored over vegetables in walk-in-cooler; chemical sanitizing warewashing machine was observed with a sanitizing rinse concentration of less than 50 ppm chlorine solution.

El Tio Tex-Mex Grill: 7630 Lee Hwy, Falls Church, Va 22042

Last inspection: Aug. 4

Violations: The date when the last shellstock from the container is sold or served is not recorded on the tag or label.

Victor's Grill: 7634 Lee Hwy., Falls Church, Va 22042

Last inspection: Aug. 4

Violations: The person-in-charge needs renewed food safety manager certificate.

Taco Baja Grill: 7716 Lee Hwy., Falls Church, Va 22042

Last inspection: Aug. 30

Violations: Food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: chicken soup at 48F, rice at 49F, beans at 52F in walk-in-cooler; refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food that is prepared on site is not used or discarded within 24 hours of preparation and was not observed to be date marked: pupusa filling, rice, queso blanco in 2 door; refrigeration unit is not operating properly and is unable to maintain cold food at or below 41F: walk-in coooler at 49F; smoking area is not structurally separate from the non-smoking area.

Taqueria Cancun: 7810 G Lee Hwy., Falls Church, Va 22042

Last inspection: Sept. 30

Violations: No violations found.

La Estancia Churrasqueria: 7810 F Lee Hwy, Falls Church, Va 22042

Last inspection: Sept. 30

Violations: Food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: cut lettuce at 46F, cheddar at 47F, hot dog at 47F; refrigeration unit is not operating properly and is unable to maintain cold food at or below 41F: 2DR True Prep at 47F.

North China Cafe: 7810 A Lee Hwy., Falls Church, Va 22042

Last inspection: Oct. 4

Violations: No violations found.

Jefferson Golf Course snack: 7900 Lee Hwy, Falls Church, Va 22042

Last inspection: Aug. 15

Violations: No violations found.

Starbucks at Giant Food: 7235 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, Va 22042

Last inspection: July 27

Violations: Food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: sausage, cheddar and egg breakfast sandwich 46F, ham and Swiss croissant at 46F in unit #2.

Subway: 7263 C Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, Va 22042

Last inspection: July 15

Violations: Food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: Observed mayonnaise at48 in unit # 2 and Cut tomato at 43, olives (ref) at 48 in unit #3; no Certified Food Manager present at the beginning of the inspection; paper towels were not provided at each handwashing sink: observed no paper towel in both handsinks; food thawing using an improper method:observed roast chicken on counter; open drinking containers used or stored in a manner that may contaminate food, food contact surfaces or utensils; refrigeration unit is not operating properly and is unable to maintain cold food at or below 41F: observed Cold well at 47 and 2 Door Undercounter Cooler at 50F.

Las Americans Restaurant: 3103 Graham Rd, Falls Church, Va 22042

Last inspection: Sept. 22

Violations: Different types of raw animal foods stored in such a manner that may cause cross contamination as follows: observed raw chicken above raw fish; food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: Observed Cabbage, cheese and pork pupusas mix, pico de gallo, lettuce, salsa, cream sauce, cheese at 53, 73, 53, 52, 52, 54, 55 in unit #2; food item(s) were observed hot holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: observed salsa in warmer at 73.

Pho 75: 3103 Graham Rd., Falls Church, Va 22042

Last inspection: Sept. 22

Violations: Food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device:observed cooked chicken at 47F in unit #3; food item(s) for which time rather than temperature is used as a control is not marked or otherwise identified to indicate the time that is 4 hours past the point in time when the food is removed from temperature control: Bean sprouts.

Pho Golden Cow: 7246 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, Va 22042

Last inspection: Sept. 23

Violations: Food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: Observed raw beef, raw chicken, raw shrimp, veggie egg roll at 53, 50, 42, 50 in unit # 1 Spring roll at 73 on countertop; food item(s) for which time rather than temperature is being used as a control was not cooked, served or discarded by the expiration time as indicated: observed bean sprouts on counter top with no label.

Pupuseria Mana: 7236 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, Va 22042

Last inspection: Aug. 9

Violations: Chlorine-based sanitizing solution was observed to be at a concentration less than what is required for effective sanitization of food-contact surfaces of equipment and utensils; raw animal food storage, preparation, holding or display conducted in a manner that may cause cross contamination of ready-to-eat food as follows: Observe rawshell eggs over cut lettuce; food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: Observed Coleslaw 48F,Half & Half 50F in unit # 1, Chicken soup 48 F in unit # 2, revuelta 79F, cheese 77F, beans 79F on the counter; refrigeration unit is not operating properly and is unable to maintain cold food at or below 41F: Observed unit # 1. 2 Door Prep Cooler at 55F.

McDonald's: 6729 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, Va 22042

Last inspection: Aug. 22

Violations: No violations found.

Bep Viet Restaurant: 3000 Annandale Rd, Falls Church, Va 22042

Last inspection: July 12

Violations: Front handsink being used to rinse out wiping clothes and glasses; pesticides labeled for residential use were observed in the facility; Dispensing and/or in-use utensils improperly stored between use as follows: in container of still/stagnant room temperature water.

El Taquito Restaurante Bar and Grill: 3013 Annandale Rd, Falls Church, Va 22042

Last inspection: July 3

Violations: Food employee(s) was observed handling the following ready-to-eat foods using their bare hands: tortilla after warming on the grill; permit holder failed to discontinue operations and notify the Health Department that an imminent health hazard may exist because of an emergency due toinadequate refrigeration: observed the Walkin Cooler holding at 45-48F and all TCS in the unit observed holding observed 46F; observed an ambient air temperature above 45F in the following refrigeration unit holding raw shells eggs: Walkin Cooler observed holding 45-48F; one or more of the elements of an effective employee health policy is either missing or incomplete; foods in walk-in cooler observed cold holding atimproper temperatures at 46-52F using a calibrated food temperature measuring device; ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food being held for more than the specified time/temperature allowed: observed cooked chicken tamales being held 11 (eleven) days in the Walkin Cooler; observed employee preparing to dump mop water outside the backdoor; food employee was observed cleaning their hands in a food preparation sink, warewashing sink or in a mop sink; front handsink being used as a dumping station for ice; food item(s) for which time rather than temperature is used as a control is not marked or otherwise identified to indicate the time that is 4 hourspast the point in time when the food is removed from temperature control: pupusas fillings; paper towels were not provided at each handwashing sink; certified food manager could not provide a food temperature measuring device; no cover to the feminine napkin refuse container in the ladies restroom; no temperature measuring device located in the following cold holding equipment: walk-in cooler and cookline 2DR prep cooler; refrigeration unit is not operating properly and is unable to maintain cold food at or below 41F: observed walk-in cooler holding at 45-48F; food items that are not easily identified by appearance were observed without a label: cooking oil and salt; missing light in kitchen and dry storage room; nonfood-contact surface of the following equipment is not corrosion resistant, nonabsorbent, and/or smooth: observed cardboard lining shelving inside walk-in cooler; observed a hookah pipe, hose and mouthpiece in the dry storage closet.

Infini-Tea: 6647 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, Va 22042

Last inspection: July 3

Violations: All TCS food item(s) in the Continental 1DR prep cooler were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device; food item(s) for which time rather than temperature is used as a control is not marked or otherwise identified to indicate the time that is 4 hours past the point in time when the food is removed from temperature control: bobas.

La Llajta Bar & Grill: 6633 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, Va 22042

Last inspection: July 27

Violations: Hand soap was not provided at each handwashing sink; no test kit located in the facility for monitoring the concentration of the chemical sanitizing solutions; Observed that the low temperature chemical sanitizing dishmachine was not sanitizing after running the machine several times and after attempting to prime the dishmachine.