Falls Church Restaurant Inspections: Fruit Fly Problem

Ever wonder how clear your local restaurants are? City of Falls Church and Fairfax County restaurants regularly undergo health inspections, with the frequency depending on the type of food served and how it is prepared. While violations like malfunctioning refrigerators and food that's not warm or cold enough often pop up, health inspectors sometimes find more critical violations.

"In our experience, it is unrealistic to expect that a complex, full-service food operation can routinely avoid any violations," notes the Virginia Department of Health.

Here are full results for the latest inspections around Falls Church, including restaurants that passed with no violations. Of note, Sarita's Restaurant was cited for fruit flies. Inspectors gave tips to correct the issue.

Click on the violations to see each restaurant's results. Full reports are usually available five to seven days after the inspection on the health department's website.

Violations

Dogfish Head Alehouse: 6363 Seven Corners Center, Falls Church, VA 22312, last inspection: May 8

violations: Employees observed wearing jewelry/bracelets on their arms and hands while preparing food, food(s) are not being adequately cooled from 135°F to 70°F within two hours and to 41°F within a total of six hours: cooked chili at 45F-47F after cooling over six hours (overnight) in the Walkin Cooler. Observed in a large deep covered plastic container, food item(s) were observed hot holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: Au jus at 85F, Mashed potatoes at 104-118F, Chili con queso at 86F and Grilled jalapenos at 96F all being stored at room temperature 3-4 hours, food item(s) in the Continental 6 drawers prep cooler (on prep top) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: Marinara sauce at 50F, Pico de gallo at 55F, Chipotle sauce at 46F and Sliced cheese at 49F (corrected)

Hong Kong Pearl Seafood Restaurant: 6286 Arlington Boulevard, Falls Church, VA 22044, last inspection: May 8

violations: Dispensing and/or in-use utensils improperly stored between use as follows: scoop for rice observed sitting in container of room temperature water, food thawing using an improper method: 1) Raw ducks sitting in sink basin of cold water, 2) Boxes of frozen raw beef tripe sitting out at room temperatures, food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: raw bean sprouts (received earlier this morning) at 50F and 52F, two handsinks located in the server areas were being used to hold tea leave strainers, paper towels were not provided at each handwashing sink (all corrected), Outside refuse containers observed with side door open or with missing lids, hood baffle filters in need of cleaning

Lee's Sandwiches: 3037 Annandale Rd, FALLS CHURCH, VA 22042, last inspection: May 10

violations: Employees observed wearing watches on their arms and hands while preparing food, food(s) are not being adequately cooled from 135°F to 70°F within two hours and to 41°F within a total of six hours: cooked cut chicken observed at 47-52F after cooling over six hours (overnight) in the Turbo Air 2DR upright cooler, methods used for cooling were not adequate to facilitate proper cooling: 1) Observed a cooked cut chicken cooling inside of a covered five gallon plastic container, 2) Observed packaged/labeled single serving sizes of black eyed beans desserts, cooked rice and other cooked menu items cooling at room temperature with an initial product temperature of 104-118F, food item(s) were observed hot holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: chicken bun at 132F, chicken egg rolls at 132F, pork rolls at 130F, 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: steamed pork & egg buns and cooked corn held on the countertop near register, two handsinks being used to store utensils (all corrected), temperature measuring device in the following mechanically refrigerated unit was not properly located in the warmest part of the unit: all of the prep coolers, manufacturer containers (originally holding yogo jelly) were observed reused for the storage of various seasonings

Lesly Restaurant Bar & Grill: 306 Hillwood Ave, Falls Church, VA 22042, last inspection: May 15

violations: NO STOPPERS PROVIDED AT 3 VAT SINK, WALK-IN-COOLER SHELVES AND SHELF ABOVE 3 VAT SINK IS PEELING AND WALK-IN-COOLER FLOOR HAS A HOLE WITH EXPOSED WOOD, Light bulbs in the KITCHEN AND DRY STORAGE AREA are not covered by a protective shielding

Nhu Lan Sandwich: 6763 Wilson Bv # 14, FALLS CHURCH, VA 22044, last inspection: May 10

violations: Food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: pork buns (50F, 51F) and raw untreated shell eggs (ambient temp, 54) @ unit 4 (corrected)

Number One Coffee: 6799 Wilson Blvd, #4, FALLS CHURCH, VA 22044, last inspection: May 2

violations: Food stored on the floor and/or food stored less than 6 inches off the floor (corrected), openings to the exterior of the building are present along the bottom of the back door

Sarita's Restaurant: 2794 Graham Road, Falls Church, VA 22046, last inspection: May 13

violations: The following food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: Fruit salad = 50F, Horchata=51F, salsa=48F, paper towels were not provided at each handwashing sink (both corrected), sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands is not provided at men's restroom used by food employees, fruit flies noted throughout the facility, floor under cooking equipment at the hood system is in need of cleaning

Taco Baja Grill: 7716 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042, last inspection: May 14

violations: Food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: Sour cream = 44F, cheese & beans pupusas 59F= , pork & cheese pupusas mix, 50F, cheese pupusas mix = 54F, white steamed rice =51F, no temperature measuring device or thermometer located in the 3-door cookline prep cooler, food-contact surfaces of utensils and equipment were not observed sanitized at the 3-compartment sink, unwrapped plastic knives, forks, or spoons were not stored at the bar and in the kitchen with the handles up, establishment has not posted the permit to operate in a conspicuous location, no Certified Food Manager present at the beginning of the inspection, men's toilet room door was being kept open (all corrected), 3-vat sink was not properly set-up for sanitizing during use, handsink at the bar was being used to stored soiled drinking cups and other utensils, no cover to the feminine napkin refuse container in the ladies room stall, men's toilet room door has a broken self-closing device, inadequate lighting was provided in the food preparation areas under the hood system. Burned-out light bulbs noted under the hood

Teriyaki Express: 6613 Wilson Bv, FALLS CHURCH, VA 22042, last inspection: May 6

violations: he person in charge does not have records of food employees health policy or information on employees training regarding food bornes illnesses, lower end of back exit doo has large opening that needs to sealed

Tropical Smoothie Cafe: 6110-A Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22044, last inspection: May 14

violations: Observed an open employee drink and employee food being stored in areas where they may contaminate food, clean equipment, utensils or other items needing protection, cooked frozen chicken thawing at room temperature, single service forks and spoons were found handled, displayed or dispensed with the food or lip-contact surface facing upward, no Certified Food Manager present at the beginning of the inspection (all corrected), refrigeration unit is not operating properly and is unable to maintain cold food at or below 41°F: Delfield 2DR prep cooler observed holding at 50F, Restroom doors are not provided with a self-closing door

Vocelli Pizza: 7395J Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042, last inspection: May 15

violations: A food employee was observed handling the following ready-to-eat food using their bare hands: Bare hands used by a foodworker when the foodworker removed a pizza from the pizza oven, hand soap was not provided at the back handwashing sink (both corrected), door gaskets of the following unit(s) are torn: walk in refrigerator, cutting board(s) along the pizza prep cooler are heavily scratched and scored, items are intended for household use only and are not approved for use in a commercial food establishment: The frigidaire upright household freezer, person in charge (PIC) has a valid certificate of successful completion of a Certified Food Manager (CFM) exam but does not possess the CFM card

No Violations

Castro's Bakery: 6276 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22044, last inspection: May 2

violations: none