MOUNT VERNON, VA — The Fairfax County Health Department has relaunched restaurant inspection reports online.
Food establishment inspection reports had been unavailable online since 2019 as the health department worked to launch a new online system. The transition to a new system had been part of Fairfax County's switch to the online PLUS platform, which can also be used to submit applications, pay fees, track applications and receive notifications.
The new inspection report system is "a step forward in offering available public health and food safety data that will enable residents and visitors to stay informed," according to Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu, director of the Fairfax County Health Department.
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.
Inspection reports are typically available 30 business days after the inspection. 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 inspections center around the Woodlawn and Mount Vernon areas. Among the violations were flies spotted in a Domino's Pizza and mold in an ice machine at Roy Rogers. Click on each link to see the full report for the restaurant.
Zen Press Juice: 8120 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309
Violations: Food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: feta cheese stored above fill line 47F, milk wand at espresso machine not cleaned every 4 hours, certified food manager could not provide a food temperature measuring device, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food that is commercially processed is not used or discarded within 24 hours of when the original container was opened and is not observed to be date marked: precooked eggs, tofu, tuna salad, egg salad, feta cheese.
Enjoy Family Restaurant & Banquet Hall: 8113 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309
Taco Lucas: 8142 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309
Violations: 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: multiple containers of Birria beef tacos, multiple pans of pupusas, pan of rice in the Beverage Air cooler.
Las Carnitas Restaurant: 8250 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309
Violations: Food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: Pico degallo (45F) in the Beverage Air prep top cooler, horchata (51F) in drink display cooler, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food that is prepared on site is not used or discarded within 24 hours ofpreparation and was not observed to be date marked: multiple containers of beef soup, multiple containers of chicken soup, containers of black beans and pinto beans in the True and Superior coolers, person in charge was unable to provide proof of active CFM credentials (arrived during inspection).
Las Veguitas II Restaurant: 8428 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309
Violations: The establishment has not posted the permit to operate in a conspicuous location, 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: containers of rice and cheese in the Maxx Cold 2 Dr upright Cooler without the date for proper discard, food items that can be served raw or undercooked are the steak and the eggs, according to the owner, but there are no menus available that displays this.
Suave: 8430 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309
Violations: Food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: rice held overnight in the walk in cooler (43F), raw animal foods stored in such a manner that may cause cross contamination as follows: there were packages of raw beef and raw chicken directly on top of each other on the bottom shelf in the walk in cooler, chemical sanitizing warewashing machine was observed with a sanitizing rinse concentration of 0 ppm chlorine solution, facility is using fresh mussels in the crema de mariscos on the menu, but the tags for the molluscan shellfish are not being retained for 90 days, food manager could not provide a food temperature measuring device, 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: containers of beans and refried beans in the Atosa prep top cooler without the dates for proper discard, paper towels were not provided at neither handwashing sink located in the kitchen area, person in charge is not a certified food protection manager, date when the last shellstock from the container is sold or served is not recorded on the tag or label, sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands was not provided at the hand washing sink located at the bar used by food employees, food items that are not easily identified by appearance were observed without a label: large containers of flour in the storage area near the 3 compartment sink, chemical sanitizing dish machine was not functioning properly, so the chemical sanitizing test strips were not registering any sanitizing chemical when tested.
Ojo's Sports Bar Restaurant: 8501 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309
Violations: There is no test kit located in the facility for monitoring the concentration of the chemical sanitizing solutions, observed that inadequate lighting was provided in the food preparation areas, in-use mops, were being stored in the buckets and not in a position where they can air dry at the mop sink, large pot of black beans being stored directly on the floor in the walk in cooler, observed dishes that have been cleaned not stored covered or inverted in the kitchen area, exposed to dust from the ceiling.
Johnny Mac's: 8526 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309
Violations: Food item(s) were observed hot holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: chili at steam wells (118F), paper towels were not provided at the handwashing sink located in the bathroom, person in charge is not a certified food protection manager, (when contacted and arrived, CFM was unable to provide proof of CFM credentials), food service employees are cleaning their hands in the 3 compartment sink since the hand sink located by the cook line is not functioning.
Kimchi House: 8537 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309
Violations: Food employee(s) was observed handling the following ready-to-eat foods using their bare hands: the red pepper and green onion garnish for a dish, 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: multiple containers of dumpling filling, containers of cooked chicken, containers of marinated beef in the True upright cooler, unwrapped or uncovered food in the following location where the food is subject to contamination: multiple containers of dumpling stuffing in the True upright cooler.
Domino's Pizza: 8641 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309
Violations: The establishment has not posted the permit to operate in a conspicuous location (plain sight), large amount of flies around a trash can located in the kitchen area, harborage conditions exist.
Wendy's: 8700 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, Va 22309
Subway: 8768 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309
Violations: Paper towels were not provided at the hand-washing sink located in the bathroom.
Club One Sports Bar & Grill: 8786 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309
Violations: The food establishment does not have written procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events, paper towels were not provided at the handwashing sink located in the kitchen area, no test kit located in the facility for monitoring the concentration of the quaternary ammonium chemical sanitizing solution, person in charge is not able to provide a written policy for preventing the transmission of foodborne disease by an employee who has a disease or a medical condition, certified food manager could not provide a food temperature measuring device that registered at lower temperatures, sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands is not provided at hand-washing sink used by food employees located at the bar, food items that are not easily identified by appearance were observed without a label: large containers of flour and sugar stored under the prep table, no temperature measuring device located in the following cold or hot holding equipment: the walk-in cooler and True top reach in on the right, refrigeration unit is not operating properly and is unable to maintain cold food at or below 41F: walk in cooler (44F).
Ricos Tacos Moya III: 8685 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309
Violations: Food employee(s) was observed handling the following ready-to-eat foods using their bare hands: cut limes for garnish, establishment has not posted the permit to operate in a conspicuous location, 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: multiple containers of pork soup, and cooked cow cheek in the walk-in cooler.
Tops China: 8727 B Cooper Rd., Alexandria, Va 22309
Violations: Observed raw chicken over raw beef in the walk in refrigerator, hand soap was not provided at each handwashing sink, 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: raw, battered chicken, fried Gen Tso chicken, cooked noodles, cut/chopped cabbage, bean sprouts on the countertop and taken from refrigeration at 11 a.m. (Time of observation was at 12:45 p.m.), open drinking containers used or stored in a manner that may contaminate food, food contact surfaces or utensils.
Momo Poke: 8733 B Cooper Rd., Alexandria, Va 22309
Violations: Observed raw steak on top of onion and celery in the walk in refrigerator, person in charge is not a certified food protection manager (arrived during inspection), 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: several rolls of Spam Musubi at top of prep cooler.
Inca Pollo Royal: 8723 B Cooper Rd., Alexandria, Va 22309
Violations: Food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: chopped lettuce in the Frigidaire cooler registered at 48F, food item(s) were observed hot holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: the beans in a pot on the counter top were registering at 118F, certified food manager could not provide a food temperature measuring device, paper towels were not provided at the hand sink located in the kitchen area by the mop sink, no test kit located in the facility for monitoring the concentration of the chemical sanitizing solutions, current water heater (State Sandblaster model CSB526SFEX 100, does not have the capacity to meet an increase in hourly hot water demands required by the facility, observed the wet mops sitting in the basin of the mop sink and not in a position that allows airdrying, refrigeration unit is not operating properly and is unable to maintain cold food at or below 41F: the Frigidaire over the countercooler registered at 44F.
McDonald's: 8735 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309
Violations: The following comminuted or ground meat, fish, or game animal was not cooked to a sufficient temperature and/or time to eliminate pathogenic bacteria: raw steak (formed) at grill , 154F.
Taco Bell: 8652 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309
Violations: Observed that hand soap was not provided at the handwashing sink located by the walk in cooler, 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: lettuce, tomato and cheese at the prep stations.
Wing Zone: 8634 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309
Violations: Food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: Turkey bacon (51F) and sliced cheese (49F) in the Silver King prep top cooler, and soap was not provided at the hand-washing sink located near the cool line, no certified food manager present at the facility at the beginning of the inspection (arrived during inspection), food employee was observed eating at the cook-line where they may contaminate food, clean equipment, utensils or other items needing protection.
Chef Huang's Restaurant: 8638 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, Va 22309
Violations: 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: the shredded cabbage and bean sprouts at the stir fry station.
Nyame Ye Restaurant: 8640 A Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309
Violations: Food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: rice (49F),rice and blacked eyed peas (44F) in the True 3 Dr upright cooler, and tomato sauce (54F, 56F) and fried tilapia (53F) in the walk in cooler, 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: the chopped tomatoes, hard boiled eggs, chopped lettuce, tomato pepper purée at the prep station, handwashing facility located in the kitchen area was blocked to prevent its use, person in charge is not able to provide written procedures for the use of time as a public health control with the following time/temperaturecontrol for safety food item(s): the chopped tomatoes, hard boiled eggs, tomato pepper purée, chopped lettuce at the prep station, food items that are not easily identified by appearance were observed without a label: multiple large containers of fufu flour and containers of seasoning such as salt and spices, located throughout the kitchen area, floors, walls, equipment and in corners, in the kitchen area, have a large accumulation of dirt, grease and food debris, and are in need of cleaning, hand washing sink basin in the kitchen area is slow to drain, food employee was observed eating a bowl of oatmeal in the kitchen area, where they may contaminate food, clean equipment, utensils or other items needing protection, large pot of cooked chicken soup cooling directly on the kitchen floor, refrigeration unit is not operating properly and is unable to maintain cold food at or below 41F: Brown Walk in Cooler (54F).
Starbucks at Safeway: 8646 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309
Roy Rogers: 8860 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309
Violations: Facility is using time as a public health control, after a change in procedures, for the vegetables at the fixing station (lettuce and tomato), but did not have written procedures for it, acility is using time as a public health control for the lettuce and tomato at the fixing station, but was not putting the 4 hour time period on the food items, for proper discard, tubing that extends from the sanitizer containers to the 3 compartment sink was not pulling sanitizer properly through, accumulation of dirt and mold inside of the ice machine.
Vocelli Pizza: 8857 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, Va 22309
Violations: The person in charge is not a certified food protection manager (arrived during inspection), hand soap was not provided at the hand-washing sink located by the 3 compartment sink, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food that is prepared on site is not used or discarded within 24 hours ofpreparation and was not observed to be date marked: sliced tomatoes, cooked pasta in the walk in cooler, handwashing facility located by the 3 compartment sink is blocked with can of residential bug spray and glassware, preventing access byemployees for easy handwashing, food items that are not easily identified by appearance were observed without a label: multiple bottles of garlic oil, mayo, barbecue sauce, pesto sauce and Alfredo sauce located at the prep top cooler and serve station, pesticides labeled for residential use were observed in the facility and are being applied by the operator to control pests, multiple wet wiping cloths being stored on the countertop and not in a bucket of sanitizer solution.
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