Fredericksburg Health Inspections: 26 Violations At 1 Restaurant

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Several facilities in the Fredericksburg area recorded violations during recent inspections from the Rappahannock Area Health District. Inspectors conducted the most recent visits between Sept. 6 and Sept. 12.

In Virginia, all food service locations are supposed to be inspected at least once per year. Facilities with higher risk factors may be inspected as often as four times per year, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

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. Sometimes, the follow-up inspection only considers the most important "priority" violations.

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.

Depending on the results of the inspection, the health department can pursue several actions.

They can issue a permit for the restaurant to continue serving food, they can schedule a follow-up inspection to determine if violations have been rectified, or they can temporarily shut down an establishment until certain issues are solved.

The Virginia Department of Health only recommends restaurants have their permits suspended when "the continued operation of the foodservice presents a substantial and imminent threat to the public health."

Here are the most recent violations as listed by the Rappahannock Area Health Department:

• Burger King #1222, 10219 Patriot Hwy Fredericksburg, VA 22407
  • Date inspected: Sept. 6
  • Total violations: 9
    • Observed the ice machine lid soiled and a dead flying insect stuck on the interior white panel. The person in charge got the insect off of the panel and will have the unit cleaned.
    • Observed one plastic container and one plastic hot holding container, on the clean dish storage shelf, that were heavily soiled. The two items were taken over to the warewashing area to be cleaned.
    • Observed light showing around the back door when it is closed. The person in charge has a work order in for the door.
    • Observed small flying insects in the back bread holding area, kitchen, and in the first sink in the men's restroom. Person in charge has been working with pest control company to try to eliminate pests.
    • Observed the kitchen hand washing sink, toilet hand washing sinks, and the three compartment sink in need of re-caulking.
    • Observed the following non-food contact surfaces of equipment soiled: 1. the seals of the reach in coolers and freezers; 2. inside of the bacon oven; 3. shelving throughout the facility; 4. vent hood above fryers; 5. areas around and under the fryers; 6. legs of various equipment.
    • There are several ceiling tiles missing and gaps around conduits in the back mop sink/drink syrup area. The person in charge will get the ceiling tiles replaced and gaps filled in, some of the drink mix lines were recently replaced.
    • Observed floors and walls throughout the facility soiled.
    • Observed vents throughout the facility heavily soiled.
• Jin Express, 15413 Dahlgren Road King George, VA 22485
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 6
  • Total violations: 2
    • Unwrapped or uncovered food in the walk in cooler. Observed containers of pork egg rolls, cabbage, broccoli and sweet and sour chicken uncovered in the walk in. Items were covered during inspection.
    • The filters in the hood ventilation system were observed heavily soiled.
• Potomac Elementary School, 16495 15th St King George, VA 22485
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 6
  • Total violations: 1
    • Observed the following equipment not working: 1-the 2 door line reach in cooler on serving line B, 2-a chest freezer, 3-the small display cooler on serving line A.
• Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins, 10708 Patriot Highway Fredericksburg, VA 22408
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 6
  • Total violations: 3
    • Observed the interior of the ice machine is soiled to the sight.
    • Through discussion with a food employee the steam wand of the espresso machine that is in contact with TCS foods is being sanitized after every use and only washed, rinsed and sanitized once at closing. EHS discussed with the person in charge wash, rinsing and sanitizing the steam wand every four hours.
    • Observed five flying insects around the food preparing area. Facility does not have a air curtain over the drive thru window . EHS advised the person in charge to contact their pest control services for further assistance with this issue.
• Burger King #1213 (Plank Road), 3052 Plank Road Fredericksburg, VA 22401
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 6
  • Total violations: 5
    • Observed hand washing sink next to the ice machine out of service. The person in charge stated they have called a repair technician to look at the hand washing sink.
    • Observed the inside and outside of all equipment throughout the kitchen heavily soiled. Including fryer station, shelving, and coffee up splash.
    • Observed the following in need of cleaning: 1) floors underneath equipment. 2) walls behind equipment. 3) ceiling vents 4) floor drains. 5) mop sink basin.
    • Observed missing wall panel and ceiling tiles next to the hand washing sink. From ceiling to floor panel the wall is exposed and needs to be covered.
    • Observed the hood vents over the fryer station heavily soiled.
• Table 9 Kitchen, 1610 Publix Way Suite 108 Stafford, VA 22554
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 7
  • Total violations: 15
    • Person in charge could not provide documentation for training on employee health policy. Employee health policy documentation was given during the inspection.
    • Person in charge could not provide written documentation for bodily fluid clean up procedures. Documentation was given during inspection.
    • Observed food employee dry hands on their shirt after washing hands and then proceed to handle RTE food.
    • Observed the following: hardshell eggs next to produce placed in the original cardboard box of the hardshell eggs and two plastic containers of raw chicken above produce in the walk in cooler. Person in charge relocated items.
    • Per discussion with the person in charge utensils on the cookline and cutting boards (both come in contact with TCS foods) are being cleaned and sanitized once a day. Food contact surfaces should be cleaned in sanitized every four hours. In addition, the PIC stated the meat slicer gets cleaned with soap and water and thin probe food thermometer is only rinsed with water. Food contact surfaces need to be cleaned and sanitized.
    • Observed all knives on magnetic knife holder with debris. Person in charge removed all knives and placed them at the three-compartment sink for sanitizing.
    • Observed two stainless steel pots of chicken broth improperly cooled and held at improper temperatures. (43-45 degrees F). The chicken broth was made from the day before and left in the walk in cooler over night. Person in charge voluntarily discarded both pots. Discussed proper cooling methods.
    • Observed the garlic oil on the cook line held at improper temperature. (78 degrees F). The garlic oil was put on the cookline line at 11:00am and had till 3:00 pm to use it. Discussed the use of time as a public health control documentation.
    • Observed no proper date marking used throughout the kitchen.
    • Observed outer openings at the bottom of the back door.
    • Observed several stainless steel containers wet while stacked after being sanitized. Person in charge removed for sanitizing.
    • Observed the interior and exterior of equipment throughout the kitchen in need of cleaning.
    • Observed the following in need of cleaning: 1) walls behind equipment. 2) floors underneath the equipment. 3) floor drains. 4) mop sink basin.
    • Observed the hood vents in need of cleaning.
    • Observed employee belongings (cell phones, keys) throughout the kitchen.
• Spring Arbor of Fredericksburg, 5308 River Road Fredericksburg, VA 22407
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 8
  • Total violations: 6
    • Observed a food employee with gloves on, using their cell phone while plating food into a to go box. The employee also used the same gloves to take soiled dishes to the dish machine, get the clean cutting board out of the dish machine and go back over to the hot holding area. EHS spoke to the employee, and they removed their gloves, washed their hands, and put the cutting board back through the dish machine.
    • Observed the interior of the microwave in The Cottage kitchen soiled.
    • Observed the interior of the ice machine and the blade of the can opener soiled, in the Assisted Living kitchen. The person in charged took the can opener to be cleaned, and will have the ice machine cleaned.
    • Observed multiple plates, spoons, and knives stored with the food contact surface facing up in The Cottage kitchen.
    • Observed the Quaternary Ammonium test strips and Fruit and Vegetable test strips were expired for more than a year.
    • Observed the up splash of the juice machines in both kitchens soiled.
• Himalayan Heritage VA, 10336 Spotsylvania Avenue Fredericksburg, VA 22408
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 8
  • Total violations: 14
    • Facility could not provide documents on employee health policy. EHS provided documents to the person in charge.
    • Facility could not provide a clean up procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events. EHS provided a sample to the person in charge.
    • Observed two food employees washing their hands in the warewashing sink . EHS instructed the employees to only use the handwashing sink to wash their hands.
    • Observed a food employee rinse their hands under running water , did not use soap to washing their hands then dried their hands with paper towels . EHS demonstrated proper handwashing. Employee washed their hands correctly during the inspection.
    • Observed the following : 1.Handwashing sink in the bar area with towels and rubber bar mats inside . 2. Handwashing sink by the dishwasher was blocked by dishwasher racks. Items were removed during the inspection.
    • Observed the interior of the ice machine soiled.
    • Observed the dishwasher in use , when tested no ppm of sanitizer are present. EHS instructed the person in charge not to use the dishwasher until it can be repaired. EHS advised the person in charge to wash , rinse and sanitizing all dishes until dishwasher is repaired. During the inspection wash , rinse and sanitizing buckets were made up.
    • Upon EHS arrival to the facility no sanitizer was available. The person in charge went to the store to get bleach.
    • Observed the interior of the microwave soiled. During the inspection microwave was cleaned.
    • Observed plastic milk jugs being reused for different ingredients.
    • Person in Charge was unable to provide test strips for chlorine sanitizer.
    • Observed the following non food contact surfaces in need of cleaning: 1. Exterior of cooking equipment 2. Shelving 3. Interior of prep coolers 4. Floor fans
    • Observed at the handwashing sink by the dishwasher when water is running its leaking out the pipe under the sink on to the floor. EHS advised the person in charge to turn off the water valve until until sink is repaired . Person in charge contacted a plumber during the inspection.
    • Observed floors, walls and ceilings throughout the facility in need of cleaning.
• Big Bad W. Pit BBQ (BBW2), 3249 Richmond Highway Stafford, VA 22554
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 10
  • Total violations: 4
    • Person in charge reported signed employee health policies are maintained at the permitted food establishment. Ensure employee health policies are maintained on the mobile unit.
    • Observed food employee chewing gum. Instructed food employee to discard gum which was not completed during the inspection.
    • Food employee touched chlorine sanitizer and donned single use gloves without washing their hands. Employee washed their hands during the inspection.
    • Observed container of baked beans (55 degrees F) which was pulled from the permitted food establishment's walk-in cooler at 10:00 a.m. and transported in a deep cooler, which was turned off during transport to event. The baked beans were relocated to the 1 door reach in cooler to cool to 41 degrees F or reheat to 165 degrees F or higher by 2:00 p.m.
• Taste of Spice, 9819 Patriot Highway Fredericksburg, VA 22407
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 11
  • Total violations: 7
    • Observed covered container of raw fish and chicken stored over covered containers of cooked lamb in the walk in cooler. Observed the raw chicken container overfilled. The raw animal foods were relocated during the inspection.
    • Observed multiple uncovered containers of foods in the walk in cooler.
    • Observed stainless steel containers stacked while wet after sanitizing.
    • Observed raw lamb and okra stored in plastic shopping bags in the freezer, okra will be cooked prior to service. During the inspection the person in charge removed the food from plastic shopping bags.
    • Absence of alarm or line of sight indicator to inform staff of low detergent or sanitizer level.
    • The person in charge provided two Chlorine test kits, one expired in 2020 and the other was discolored. Purchase new Chlorine test kit.
    • Observed the following areas in need of cleaning: wall and caulking at the dishwasher and floors behind the cook line.
• El Patron Mexican Restaurant, 9112 Old Battlefield Blvd 112 Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA 22553
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 11
  • Total violations: 26
    • Absence of active managerial control observed during the inspection. The person in charge is not monitoring cold holding and hot holding of TCS foods, cold holding equipment temperatures and correct cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces.
    • Person in charge could not provide documentation employees have been trained on employee health. EHS provided employee health documents to the person in charge.
    • Person in charge could not provide a clean-up procedure for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events. EHS provided a sample to the person charge.
    • Observed no handwashing signage in the women's restroom. EHS provided a sign to the person in charge.
    • Observed a knife inside a handwashing sink. Knife was removed during the inspection.
    • Observed a food employee with gloves on handling raw shrimp and then grabbed onions and green peppers from a large plastic container without changing gloves. During the inspection the employee removed the gloves and foods were voluntary discarded.
    • Observed dishwasher in use absence of sanitizer. When tested no ppm measured. EHS instructed the person in charge not to use the dishwasher until it can be serviced and repaired, and to wash, rinse and sanitize all dishes in the three-compartment sink.
    • Observed the interior of the ice machine soiled with black like growth.
    • Observed interior of the microwave soiled.
    • Observed improper cooling of the following TCS foods: 1. One large stainless-steel pain of cooked ground beef at 55 degrees 2. One large stainless-steel pain of cooked pork at 60 degrees 3. One large plastic container of salsa Through discussion with food employee foods were made on 9/10/23. Facility is not monitoring cooling temperatures. All foods were voluntarily discarded.
    • Observed cheese queso hot holding at 106 degrees. Through discussion with a food employee, queso was put on the hot holding unit at 10:00 am the current day of the inspection and the temperature was not monitored. During the inspection the queso was reheated to 145 degrees.
    • Observed the following TCS food items not holding at improper temperatures in the reach-in cooler. Through discussion with a food employee all foods had been stored in the cooler since 9/10/23. All foods were voluntarily discarded during the inspection. Ambiant air temperature in reach-in cooler is 60 degrees. EHS advised the person in charge not to use the reach-in cooler until it can be serviced and repaired. 1.Raw chorizo 72 degrees 2.T-bone steak 53 degrees 3 Raw chicken 55 degrees 4.Raw pork 52 degrees 5.Raw shrimp 54 degrees
    • Observed improper cooling methods to cool cooked ground beef, salsa and cooked pork. Facility is conducting multiple stage cooling in deep stainless steel and plastic containers.
    • Observed the following foods thawing incorrectly in the three compartments sink without water continuously running: 1. Raw T-bone steak at 50 degrees thawing in 80 degrees water. 2. Raw shrimp at 55 degrees in 60 degrees water. Through discussion with food employee foods were put in the sink 30 minutes prior to the inspection. All foods were removed from the sink in put in the walk-in cooler to bring foods to proper temperature.
    • Observed several flying insects throughout the kitchen. EHS advised the person in charge to contact their pest control services to further assist.
    • Observed the outer back door is not self-closing. Door has a gap and does not completely close unless force is applied.
    • Observed bowls above the prep cooler uncovered and unprotected facing up. A food employee removed the bowls to be washed and sanitized.
    • Observed all hand sinks in the kitchen and both restrooms not sealed to the wall.
    • Observed the following equipment in poor repair: 1. Rust on shelving in reach-in cooler 2. Blown out shielded light under hood 3. Ice build-up on interior of chest freezer 4. Gasket on walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer are damaged need to be replaced. 5. Two reach-in coolers holding between 60-63 degrees.
    • Facility could not provide a testing kit for the chlorine or Quaternary ammonium.
    • Observed the following nonfood contact surfaces throughout the facility in need of cleaning: 1.Interior of refrigeration units 2.Back splash of soda machine 3. Interior and exterior of all cooking equipment 4. Shelving under cooking equipment
    • Observed floors, walls and ceilings throughout the facility are in need of cleaning
    • Observed coving damage tiles are missing at the wall by the prep table.
    • Observed the following physical facilities in poor repair: 1.Hole in wall by the dishwasher 2. Tiles throughout the kitchen on the floor are damaged and missing
    • Observed the lighting inside of the walk-in cooler was 2.8 foot candles.
    • Observed hood vents soiled to sight.
• LongHorn Steakhouse #5273, 10012 Southpoint Parkway Fredericksburg, VA 22407
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 11
  • Total violations: 10
    • Observed no cleanser available at the handwashing sink in the bar area. PIC placed a bottle a soap doing the inspection.
    • Observed no paper towels at the handwashing sink in the bar area. PIC placed paper towels during the inspection.
    • Observed many bags of shrimp lobster soup next to a box of raw chicken on the bottom shelve of the walk-in cooler. Also boxes of raw chicken were on the shelve above. Items were relocated.
    • Observed several microwaves in need of cleaning.
    • Observed four bags of rice in the pull-out cooler on the cookline at improper temperatures (46-50 degrees F). The bags of rice were prepared the day prior and left in the cooler overnight. The PIC voluntarily discarded the items.
    • Observed employee wiping drink glasses with a cloth.
    • Observed the following in need of cleaning: inside and outside of all equipment, POS systems hanging from the ceiling, and shelving throughout the kitchen.
    • Observed the following in need of cleaning: walls behind equipment, ceiling tiles and vents, floors underneath equipment, and mop sink basin.
    • Observed an employee cellular device laying on top of a dish plate and employee backpack on a shelve in the dry storage area. Dish plate was removed for sanitization and personal items were relocated.
    • Observed the hood vents in need of cleaning.
• Courtland High School, 6701 Smith Station Road Spotsylvania, VA 22553
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 11
  • Total violations: 5
    • Person in charge could not provide training documentation on the employee health policy. Documentation was given during the inspection.
    • Person in charge could not provide written procedures on bodily fluid clean up. Documentation was given during the inspection.
    • The three-compartment sink is not sealed to the wall.
    • The high temperature dish machine is missing a pressure gauge.
    • The piping under the three-compartment sink is missing an air break.
• Fun Land Cafe, 1351 Central Park Blvd. Fredericksburg, VA 22401
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 11
  • Total violations: 14
    • Observed only one handwashing sink in the kitchen, near the stove, on one side of the kitchen. There is no handwashing sink in the ware washing area/pizza prep area, on the other side of the kitchen. That area used to be a separate kitchen (Subway), and still has the connections from where a handwashing sink used to be, next to the mop sink. Also, there is no handwashing sink in the new bar area, where drinks are being prepared. The new bar is located outside of the kitchen, near the large glass garage doors, in the customer seating area.
    • Observed the pizza prep cutting board, inside of several stainless-steel containers, and several wire mesh pizza trays soiled.
    • Observed the interior of the ice machine and the ice chute for customer drinks soiled.
    • Observed gaps in the ceiling around conduits above the fire extinguisher in the dry storage area.
    • Observed single service paper boats throughout the facility stored with the food contact surface facing up and uncovered.
    • Observed the mop sink and handwashing sink caulking with damaged and soiled.
    • Observed the following: 1. ice machine lid missing a piece of the plastic exposing the insulation underneath, and part of the gasket/seal detached; 2. significant ice build-up in the ice cream reach in freezer; 3. the walk-in cooler floor rusted.
    • Observed the following soiled: 1. seals around walk in freezer and coolers; 2. seals around reach in coolers and ice cream freezer; 3. interior of the nacho cheese dispenser; 4. dip well of the ice cream freezer; 5. cabinet drawers and shelves throughout the facility; 6. inside of the cabinet under the soda dispenser; 7. wire shelving throughout the facility.
    • Observed the following soiled: 1. walls behind the ice machine, 3-compartment sink, and drink syrup dispensers; 2. light shields in the 3-compartment sink and pizza prep area; 3. floor drain under the 3-compartment sink.
    • Observed the coving missing by the drink syrup dispenser, loose across from mop sink, and lifted away from the floor under the electrical panels in the dry storage area.
    • Observed a bar area near the large garage doors with high factory type ceilings that are not smooth and easily cleanable. Also, the paint on the floor in single service articles room is partially worn off.
    • Observed the following: 1. the faucet on the handwashing sink loose; 2. the 3-compartment sink faucet, above the wash basin, would not come on; 3. several ceiling tiles peeling and bowed throughout the facility; 4. several of the metal Ts, that hold the ceiling tiles in place, bent.
    • Observed A/C vents throughout the facility, the hood vent and filters soiled. The hood vent had a service sticker dated June 21, 2021 as the last time it was serviced.
    • Observed low lighting in the walk-in cooler, measuring 0.5-3.8-foot candles using a light meter.
• Waffle House #1148 (Caroline), 24148 Welcome Way Drive Ruther Glen, VA 22546
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 12
  • Total violations: 5
    • Observed the interior of the ice machine soiled.
    • Observed several flying insects in the back of the house.
    • The following non-food contact surfaces are in need of cleaning: interior and exterior of equipment throughout the kitchen, shelving throughout the kitchen, upsplash of both coffee machines, and outer surfaces of cooking pans.
    • The walls, ceilings, and floors throughout the kitchen are in need of cleaning.
    • The hood vents over the grills are in need of cleaning.
• Waffle House #2303, 45 Civilian Street Fredericksburg, VA 22406
  
  • Date inspected: Sept. 12
  • Total violations: 7
    • Person in charge was unable to produce a certified food protection manager certificate. Person in charge advised he is in the process of getting one.
    • Observed food employee washing lathering hands under the running water and for less than 15 secs. EHS spoke to food employee, and they re-washed their hands properly.
    • Observed several spoons near milkshake tumblers, and a spoon in a drawer below the flat tops, stored soiled.
    • Observed several large containers of waffle mix not date marked in the 3 door reach in cooler.
    • Observed multiple stainless steel containers stacked and stored in cabinets while still wet.
    • Observed all plates being stored above the griddle face up. EHS advised person in charge to cover top plate with plastic wrap to keep plates clean.
    • Observed drawers and shelves under flat tops, upsplash of drink dispensers, seals of reach in coolers, and the outside of the ice machine soiled.

The following facilities did not record any violations:

• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers
• Sheetz
• Bubblehouse
• Chipotle #3952
• Pi's Cucina Restaurant
• Funland Tailgaters Express Mobile Unit