Fredericksburg Restaurant Inspections: Mellow Mushroom, Fatty's

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Inspectors from the Rappahannock Area Health District cited violations at several facilities around the Fredericksburg area during recent visits. The most recently published round of inspections occurred between April 13 and April 19.

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.

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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.

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

• Fatty’s Taphouse Seafood & Grille, 225 Garrisonville Rd Stafford, VA 22554
  • Date inspected: April 13
  • Total violations: 22
    • Observed employees drinks stored on the counter tops throughout the kitchen.
    • Observed employees not washing their hands between preparing raw foods and changing tasks. Observed the employee handle raw chicken with gloved hands, remove one glove then continue to prepare other meats.
    • Observed that the hand sink near the cook's line does not have any hand soap.
    • Observed no hot water in the men's restroom.
    • Observed raw burgers stored over the baked beans in the walk in cooler.
    • Observed boiled potatoes uncovered in the walk in cooler.
    • Observed the following food contact surfaces that were soiled to the site and touch: ceramic plates and bowls, stainless steel sheet pans, clam shucker. Items were taken to the dish machine area for cleaning.
    • Observed the equipment that is used with foods that are not considered timed control for safety that require cleaning: can opener, pizza cutter, spatula on the prep table, scissors, and the drink machine.
    • The facility is preparing wings using non-continuous cooking methods
    • Observed the following foods cold holding at improper temperatures: cut lettuce at 71'F sitting on the counter, slacking fries at 47'F in the sandwich prep, boiled potatoes at 49'F and sausage at 50'F at the end of the cook's line, seafood soup at 50'F, gumbo at 42'F, cooked wings at 43'F, and heavy cream at 42'F in the walk in cooler, cut salmon at 48'F, prime rib slices at 65'F, and Alfredo sauce at 63'F in the rear display case, shrimp at 48'F and cut lettuce at 48'F sitting on a prep table, ribs at 58'F sitting a the 3-compartment sink. EHS requested that foods be discarded however the PIC did not comply.
    • Observed cooked sausage, boiled potatoes, cut tomatoes, seafood soup, cooked rice, cubed tomatoes, and gumbo that were not dated for disposition.
    • Observed a stainless steel container of white rice sitting on the prep table to cool. The rice measured 126'F. The rice was placed on a sheet pan for continued cooling.
    • Observed 2 packs of ribs sitting inside of water in the 2nd compartment of the 3-compartment sink to thaw. Observed several packs of ROP fish that were thawing inside of the package in the reach in cooler. The PIC discarded the product.
    • Observed cut lettuce in a container labeled pasta and cut tomatoes in a container labeled catfish.
    • Observed thawing ribs sitting in water in the 2nd compartment of the 3-compartment sink with dirty dishes sitting in the next sink.
    • Observed forks and knives stored with the food-contact surface facing upwards.
    • Observed stainless steel bowls and sheet pans that were stacked while wet.
    • Observed several broken ceramic plates, bowls, platters, and the crab buckets. Observed that the door to the ice machine has been repaired with duct tape.
    • Observed the following equipment that requires cleaning: the can opener holder and all of the storage shelves.
    • The floors, walls, and ceiling throughout this facility is in need of detailed cleaning to include the air vent covers in the walk in cooler, ceiling in the walk in cooler, all of the light shields, and floors under the equipment.
    • The following physical facilities requires repair: light shield in the men's restroom, air vent cover near the cook's line, light shields that are repaired with Scotch tape, and the ceiling in the walk in cooler.
    • Observed packs of cigarettes stored on the prep tables. Ashtrays and/or smoking paraphernalia present in non-smoking areas.
• Spotsylvania High School, 6975 Courthouse Road Spotsylvania, VA 22553
  
  • Date inspected: April 13
  • Total violations: 1
    • Observed a pan of popcorn chicken cold holding at 51 degrees F. Per discussion with the person in charge the popcorn chicken was made the day prior and was not properly cooled down before storing in the cooler. During the inspection the person in charge discarded the food item.
• Livingston Elementary School, 6057 Courthouse Road Spotsylvania, VA 22553
  
  • Date inspected: April 13
  • Total violations: 1
    • Observed a food employee dump a container of white milk in the handwashing sink. EHS explained to the food employee handwashing sinks are to be used for handwashing only. Handsink was cleaned out.
• Chimpum Pollo, 3619 Richmond Highway Suite #141 Stafford, VA 22554
  
  • Date inspected: April 13
  • Total violations: 9
  • Note: This was a pre-opening inspection. The following recommendations were made by the inspector before the restaurant can obtain a permit.
    • Remove the foil and paper towels under the equipment
    • Install a splash guard at the hand sinks
    • Clean the hood filters, air vent covers to include the walk in cooler, floor behind the reach in cooler
    • Clean the following non-food contact surfaces: cabinet under the fryer, caulking on the hand and 3-compartment sinks
    • Remove the plastic on the reach in freezer
    • Replace the air vent cover in the women's restroom
    • Replace the broken light fixture in the men's restroom
    • Clean the following food-contact surfaces: knives on the metal knife rack, inside of stainless steel pans
    • Ensure that the light in the walk in cooler measures at least 10 foot candles in all areas. The light only measures 10 foot candles near the door.
• Chick-Fil-A, 1094 International Parkway Fredericksburg, VA 22406
  
  • Date inspected: April 13
  • Total violations: 10
    • The person in charge could not provide an employee health policy or other documentation to verify employees have been trained on the employee health policy. The person in charge was knowledgeable of health reporting requirements. Emailed sample policy in English and Spanish to the person in charge.
    • Observed a food employee place two spatulas in the sanitizer basin of the 3 compartment sink with their bare hands, and submerge their hands in the Quaternary Ammonium sanitizer, without washing their hands prior to handling a cleaned spatula stored on the shelving unit above the 3 compartment sink. Instructed the food employee to wash her hands and the spatula was removed for cleaning. Discussed correct handwashing with the person in charge.
    • Observed the following: 1- A food employee wearing single use disposable gloves handle a container of Peracetic Acid at the vegetable wash sink and then proceed to handle a container of lettuce without removing their gloves and washing their hands. and 2- Observed a food employee wearing single use disposable gloves touch a trash can at the chicken breading station and then grab a new pair of gloves to place on their hands. Instructed food employees to remove gloves and wash their hands.
    • Through discussion with the person in charge, the wands to make milk shakes are removed for cleaning once daily. The person in charge reported the wands are sanitized throughout the day. Informed the person in charge the wands, which are in contact with TCS foods are required to be cleaned and sanitized at least once every 4 hours.
    • Observed Peracetic Acid vegetable wash set up in the vegetable wash sink exceeding the manufacturer requirements of 7.81 ML when tested with the appropriate test kit. Instructed the person in charge to discontinue use until repaired by a technician. During the inspection the person in charge instructed the food employee to wash the lettuce with plain water. Lettuce was not observed being washed in the Peracetic Acid.
    • Observed a food employee open a new bottle of Peracetic Acid and begin to pour into another bottle over an opened plastic container of lettuce. Instructed the food employee to conduct this over the prep sink to prevent contamination of lettuce.
    • Observed the 3 compartment sink and mop sink are not sealed to the adjacent walls.
    • Accumulation of grime and debris was noted on the following nonfood contact surfaces: Wheels of cooking equipment, significant accumulation on the exterior of the toaster, upsplash of coffee brewer, shelving above the 3 vat and biscuit prep area, and exterior surfaces of the lettuce spinner.
    • Observed significant accumulation of standing water and debris in the dumpster enclosure.
    • Floors, walls, ceiling vents and ceilings throughout the facility are in need of cleaning.
• The Recreation Center FXBG, 213 William Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401
  
  • Date inspected: April 13
  • Total violations: 2
    • This food establishment does not have an employee, with management and supervisory responsibility, that is a Certified Food Protection Manager.
    • The vent filters in the hood above the cook's line are heavily soiled.
• Sweet Sno #2 (VA 632-206TL), 7533 Belmont Road Spotsylvania, VA 22551
  
  • Date inspected: April 14
  • Total violations: 1
    • The chlorine sanitizer test kits are expired.
• Burger King # 1229, 426 Kings Highway Fredericksburg, VA 22405
  
  • Date inspected: April 14
  • Total violations: 11
    • Observed a food employee sweep the floors then donned gloves and handled ready to eat bread without first washing his hands. Bread was discarded and employee was asked to wash his hands
    • No paper towels available at the handwashing sink located near the 3- compartment sink. PIC provided paper towels.
    • Observed packets of perishable butter (70'F) stored on the counter. PIC discarded items.
    • The exterior door which is located in the kitchen is not tight-fitting. This may allow the entry of insects or rodents.
    • Observed the following 1) gaps between the hood filters, 2) a cardboard used as a handle in the toaster.
    • The following nonfood contact surfaces were noted with an accumulation of grime and debris. 1) the interior and exterior of the reach in coolers, 2) the exterior of ice machine, 3) slushy machine, 4) fryer cabinets, 5) battering station, 6) all hot holding stations, 7) shelving units.
    • Observed the following in need of repair: 1) three compartment sink faucet is leaking, 2) hose is leaking in the mop sink, 3) water collecting near soda dispenser by drive-thru area- 4) leak in the prep sink faucet.
    • Observed the following in poor repair throughout the facility: 1) floor tiles, 2) broken light shields, 3) missing ceiling tiles.
    • Mops not hung up to air dry.
    • Observed the walls, floors, ceiling (including vents) in need of cleaning
    • Observed the hood system and filters soiled with grime and debris.
• Wilderness Elementary School, 11600 Catharpin Road Spotsylvania, VA 22553
  
  • Date inspected: April 14
  • Total violations: 1
    • Observed employees lotions near a food prep table.
• Ni River Middle School, 11632 Catharpin Road Spotsylvania, VA 22553
  
  • Date inspected: April 14
  • Total violations: 1
    • Observed a food employee scrub soapy hands for less than 5 seconds. EHS discussed proper handwashing with the person in charge. Person in charge spoke with food employee and had them rewash their hands.
• Mellow Mushroom, 609 William St Fredericksburg, VA 22401
  
  • Date inspected: April 15
  • Total violations: 4
    • Observed improper methods used to thaw food. Observed pre-cooked pork and raw beef steak thawing in standing water in the prep sink. Water was turned on during inspection.
    • Employees observed working in the food service area without proper beard restraints. Beard guards were given to employees during inspection.
    • Observed several plastic storage containers stored while wet on the clean equipment storage rack. Item were re-washed and allowed to air dry during inspection.
    • Observed that mops are improperly stored between use. Observed several mops stored head down near the mop sink. Mops were hung up during inspection.
• Eileen’s Bakery & Cafe, 1115 Caroline St Fredericksburg, VA 22401
  
  • Date inspected: April 15
  • Total violations: 8
    • The facility does not have an employee that is a certified food protection manager, active managerial control is evident in the facility.
    • Observed no paper towels were available at the kitchen handwashing sink. During the inspection the person in charge provided paper towels.
    • Observed a kitchen handsink was blocked a cart.
    • Observed a tray of scrambled eggs and a tray of potatoes uncovered in the walk in cooler. Food were covered during the inspection.
    • Per discussion with the person in charge the steam wand of the espresso machine gets cleaned in between used but does not currently go the wash rinse and sanitize step every 4 hours.
    • The following non food contact surfaces were observed in need of cleaning: 1. the shelves holding equipment in the kitchen, the fan near the prep table.
    • Observed the floors underneath equipment and walls near the food prep areas are in need of cleaning.
    • Observed the ceiling in the kitchen and baking area have some damage and several lightbulbs need replacing throughout the facility.
• Eats - A Burger Joint, 701 Lafayette Blvd Fredericksburg, VA 22401
  
  • Date inspected: April 15
  • Total violations: 6
  • Note: This was a pre-opening inspection. The health department advised the facility to address the following issues before opening to the public.
    • Remove all shipping plastic from equipment.
    • Remove all construction materials and tools.
    • Conduct a thorough cleaning of kitchen and equipment.
    • Clean and sanitize all equipment and utensils.
    • Please have all cold holding equipment turned on and set between 35 and 38 degrees.
    • Ensure that any equipment with a direct connection to the fresh water system has a backflow protection device.
• Happy Crab, 11313 Tidewater Trail Fredericksburg, VA 22408
  
  • Date inspected: April 15
  • Total violations: 1
    • Facility has no Certified Food Safety Manager.
• Dawning Point - Stafford, 15 Kingsland Drive Stafford, VA 22556
  
  • Date inspected: April 18
  • Total violations: 6
    • Through observation and discussion with the person in charge, the facility is permitting employees, not engaged in food preparation activities, enter the kitchen and food storage room both to retrieve food contact equipment and for personal food storage. Discussed relocating the small reach in cooler to another location in the building.
    • Observed a food employee put their fingers in their mouth and then proceed to retrieve a sheet of aluminum foil without washing their hands. Instructed the food employee to discard the aluminum foil and wash their hands.
    • Observed the following TCS foods cold holding at improper temperatures in the Magic Chef small reach in refrigerator in the dry storage room: Eight to ten containers of vanilla yogurt (47, 46 degrees F) and packaged bologna (45 degrees F). Observed the small refrigerator overfilled, not completely closed and considerable build up of ice on the top of the unit. The person in charge reported the TCS foods have been in the refrigerator overnight and voluntarily discarded for safety. This refrigerator is also being used for staff food storage. Instructed the person in charge to store all foods used for student food service in the refrigerator in the kitchen.
    • Observed multiple rolls of disposable paper towels, which have been removed from their protective wrapping, stored under the plumbing connections under the handwashing sink. During the inspection the paper towels were relocated to prevent contamination.
    • Observed the handsink and 3 compartment sink are not sealed to the adjacent countertops.
    • Observed the ceiling tiles installed inside the employee toilet room are absorbent and not easily cleanable. Discussed replacing ceiling tiles with tiles which are smooth and easily cleanable.
• Panda Express #2964, 320 Garrisonville Road Stafford, VA 22554
  
  • Date inspected: April 18
  • Total violations: 3
    • Observed the cook clean the wok station then continue to prepare foods without washing his hands. The PIC instructed the cook to wash his hands.
    • Observed sauces and cut cabbage are not dated for proper disposition.
    • Observed stainless steel pans and plastic containers stack wet.
• Firehouse Subs, 1420 Carl D. Silver Parkway Fredericksburg, VA 22401
  
  • Date inspected: April 18
  • Total violations: 6
    • Per discussion with the person in charge the prep table which food gets directly preped currently gets cleaned at the end of the day instead of the recommended cleaning methods of wash rinse and sanitize every 4 hours.
    • Observed the interior lip surface of the ice machine soiled with mold like growth.
    • Observed the interior surfaces of the microwave was soiled.
    • Observed ice biuld up at the back of of the reach in cooler.
    • Observed the following in need of cleaning:1. the walls of the dishroom area. 2. The ac/ceiling vents of the back kitchen are dusty.
    • Observed several ceiling tiles of the back kitchen are loose and/or warped.
• IHOP #4501, 320 Worth Avenue Stafford, VA 22554
  
  • Date inspected: April 18
  • Total violations: 8
    • Observed that the floors and walls require cleaning to include under the equipment.
    • Observed that non-food contact surfaces that require cleaning: the can opener holder, top and bottom of the waffle irons, all of the reach in refrigerators, and the cabinet under the fryers.
    • Observed boxes used for storage of equipment and food on the cook's line. The person in charge discarded one of the boxes.
    • Observed sausage gravy that expired on 4/16/22. The person in charge discarded the gravy.
    • Observed the following foods cold holding at improper temperatures: buttermilk pancake mix at 45'F, half & half - 68'F, sausage at 42'F, raw shell eggs at 42'F. The person in charge placed the items in the walk in/reach in cooler.
    • Observed that the microwaves requires cleaning.
    • Observed sausage and cut onion that were not protected from possible contamination. The PIC covered the items
    • Observed the cook handle raw eggs with gloved hands then continue to prepare foods without washing her hands. The PIC instructed her to wash her hands.
• China Wong, 736 Warrenton Road #Suite 111 Fredericksburg, VA 22406
  
  • Date inspected: April 18
  • Total violations: 3
    • Observed the back door does not have a tight seal, observed light emitting from the left hand side of the door. Recommend replacing gasket.
    • Observed food employees without proper hair restraints.
    • Observed the back right lid of the oil receptacle outside the food establishment is bent, preventing closure on the top of the unit. Also observed the left side community dumpster is missing the top cover on the right hand side. The person in charge reported he contacted the property manager/landlord to address the issue and is awaiting a response.
• Saithong Para Thai, 20 Plantation Drive 137 Fredericksburg, VA 22406
  
  • Date inspected: April 18
  • Total violations: 4
    • Through discussion with a food employee, employees are eating at the prep table in the back of the house which is also used for food preparation activities in the food establishment. Instructed the person in charge to designate an area food employee's to take meal breaks or have them eat in the dining room.
    • Observed a package of raw chicken stored over cooked chicken in the walk in cooler and an employee's personal container of raw shell eggs stored over packaged noodles in the 2 door upright cooler. The raw animal foods were relocated to prevent contamination.
    • The floors and walls in the facility are in need of cleaning, especially at the cook line.
    • Observed employee personal articles stored on a shelving unit in the back of the house over packaged food. Instructed the person in charge to designate an area in the facility for storage of employee's personal belongings to prevent contamination of food and equipment.
• Buffalo Wild Wings #288, 1050 Stafford Market Place Stafford, VA 22556
  
  • Date inspected: April 19
  • Total violations: 7
    • Observed the cook remove chicken from the walk in cooler, place the chicken in the fryer, take the empty pan to the dish washing area, then continue to prepare foods without washing her hands. The PIC discussed when to wash hands with the cook.
    • Observed stainless steel containers and bulk breading scoop require cleaning. The PIC placed the items in the dish area for cleaning.
    • Observed the cook's working in the kitchen without proper beard restraints. The PIC had the employees don beard restraints.
    • Observed that the doors on the dish machine require cleaning.
    • Observed that the following non-food contact surfaces require cleaning: cabinets under the fryers, heat lamp, container for the thermometers (corrected), all of the storage shelves, all of the storage bins, and the beverage tubes.
    • Observed several broken floor tiles in the bar area, coving coming off the wall near the entrance door, broken floor tiles on the cook's line.
    • Observed that the air vent covers near the rear door require cleaning.
• Brooke Point High School, 1700 Courthouse Road Stafford, VA 22554
  
  • Date inspected: April 19
  • Total violations: 1
    • Observed a dented can of crushed pineapple in the dry storage area not separated from the other cans. PIC moved the can.
• Brooke Point High School Culinary Arts Kitchen, 1700 Courthouse Road Stafford, VA 22554
  
  • Date inspected: April 19
  • Total violations: 4
    • Accumulation of debris was noted on the following nonfood contact surfaces: Upsplash of pre-wash spray nozzle on hose reel, range, base of convection ovens and cookie ovens and sides of the flattop.
    • The person in charge provided a Quaternary Ammonium test kit which expired in 2020. Discussed purchasing a new test kit during the inspection.
    • Observed interior of the microwave oven soiled.
    • Observed interior of the ice machine soiled.
• Subway, 35 Walpole Street Suite # 104 Stafford, VA 22554
  
  • Date inspected: April 19
  • Total fans: 9
    • Observed the following: 1- Food employee enter the kitchen without washing their hands and begin to enter the baked bread oven and 2- Food employee was using the telephone and then began to don single use disposable gloves to prepare a sandwich without washing their hands. Instructed food employees to wash their hands. Discussed handwashing requirements with the person in charge during the inspection.
    • Observed the front handsink at 75 degrees F.
    • Through discussion with the person in charge, the soda nozzles are removed for cleaning once a week. Instructed the person in charge to remove nozzles for cleaning daily.
    • Through discussion with the person in charge, the facility not cleaning prep tables prior to a sanitization step. The person in charge reported only Quaternary Ammonium sanitizer is being used on the food preparation tables. Instructed the person in charge to clean food contact equipment prior to sanitization.
    • Observed absence of ambient air thermometers for sandwich prep coolers #1 and #2.
    • Observed the front handsink and mop sink are not sealed to the adjacent wall and countertop.
    • Observed the following plumbing in poor repair: 1- Water leak under the water line under the soda machine. Water is being caught in a container, 2- damaged hose attached to the mop sink. Observed a deep crack in the hose and duct tape attached to the connection to the faucet and 3- Leaking faucet at the mop sink.
    • Observed ceiling light covers in the back storage room and the air vent in the female toilet room are in need of cleaning.
    • Observed the following: 1 - Two foot candles of light inside the back of the walk in cooler, 2- 7.4 foot candles of light in the dry storage area and 3- 16 foot candles of light in the warewashing area. Observed blown out ceiling lights in the facility.
• China King, 11 Hope Road Stafford, VA 22554
  
  • Date inspected: April 19
  • Total violations: 3
    • Observed a serving spoon stored in the hand washing sink in the kitchen by the walk-in-cooler. The item was moved to the 3 compartment sink to be washed, rinsed, and sanitized.
    • Observed the following in need of repair: 1) three compartment sink needs re-caulking, 2) hand washing sinks need to be re-caulked throughout the facility. 3) several ceiling tiles throughout the facility need to be re-adjusted. 4) missing and broken floor tiles.
    • Observed employees personal belongings stored near food and single service articles throughout the facility. PIC moved items.
• New Beginning Deli, 7448 -B Commerce Way Ruther Glen, VA 22546
  
  • Date inspected: April 19
  • Total violations: 7
    • This food establishment does not have an employee, with management and supervisory responsibility, that is a Certified Food Protection Manager.
    • The prepared ready-to-eat (RTE) cooked pork, cooked beef and cabbage in the refrigeration unit is not properly date marked. Items were date marked during inspection.
    • A review of the menu with the foodservice operator indicates that there is no consumer advisory for the following food item(s) that may be served raw and/or undercooked: eggs.
    • The ot holding table is not protected from contamination from the hand sink. A splash guard is needed
    • The bare wood behind the storage shelved on the wall and the shipping plastic on some of the equipment is not smooth and easily cleanable.
    • There is no chemical sanitizing test kit present to ensure the chemical sanitizing solution used is at the proper concentration.
    • Facility is storing unnecessary items to the operation or maintenance of the establishment.

Here are the locations that recorded flawless inspections during their recent health department visit.

• La Petite Auberge
• Vocelli Pizza
• The Crab Shack
• Refuel Nutrition & Energy
• Poet’s Walk of Fredericksburg