Dead roaches stuck on glue pads: 10 Ocean County restaurant health violations
Since January, the Ocean County Health Department has inspected 862 restaurants, convivence stores, cafeterias and other establishments selling food. Of the 862 restaurants, 10 have a conditionally satisfactory rating, as opposed to a satisfactory rating.
According to the Health Department website, a conditionally satisfactory rating would mean that the establishment “needs improvement in several areas.” On the other hand, a satisfactory rating would mean the establishment was in “substantial compliance with State Health Codes.” An unsatisfactory rating would mean the establishment has “serious or unsafe conditions/violations.”
None of the 862 restaurants had an unsatisfactory rating. Inspections are updated weekly.
New violations
Mia’s Pizza at 707 Jackson Mills Road in Jackson, which is now closed, was cited for five violations. The inspector found that the walk-in refrigerator was not working and food was stored in the ice machine. The report also stated that dead roaches were stuck on glue pads, and paper towels were not provided at two handwash sinks. Food debris was also found on the floor, storeroom and equipment.
Prime Food Market at 449 Herbertsville Road in Brick was cited for one violation. The inspector found that its food manager certification needed to be renewed.
Joe Spano's Tomato Pies at 2505 Bridge Ave. in Point Pleasant was cited for two violations. The ice machine lid was broken, so a makeshift cover was made with duct tape and a garbage bag. The inspector recommended general cleaning of the facility due to food residue and crumbs.
Chipotle Mexican Grill at 74 Brick Plaza in Brick was cited for four violations. Its steam table had a leak and the staff had been storing its kitchenware and takeout containers upright instead of upside down. The inspector also recommended that its sinks and restrooms be cleaned.
Pietro’s Italian Market at 19 Main St. in the New Egypt section of Plumsted was cited for four violations. It had food containers stored on the floor and food stored on top of a refrigerator without a sneeze guard. It also had dishes in its handwash sink and improperly set up its three-bay sink.
Gyro Kingdom at 760 Mantoloking Road in Brick was cited for three violations. The inspector found that the three-bay sink lacked an air gap, which is required to prevent back-up flow. The report also noted that one of the handwash stations lacked soap and towels and the manager needed to complete a food manager training course.
All Star Bagel at 181 Route 37 in Toms River was cited for 10 violations. The report found that the freezer and refrigerator had broken handles and it lacked a handwash sink in the rear storage area, where the store was looking to add a doughnut-making station. It also found employees using single-use takeout containers as scoops, certain prepackaged foods without a label and a bucket of butter that was not refrigerated. It recommended that employees change gloves when working the till and preparing ready-to-eat foods. It also recommended cleaning food soil buildup and hanging its mop up to dry.
La Palma Villa Bakery and Fresh Market at 910 Hooper Ave. in Toms River was cited for 19 violations. The report noted that a few of the violations were repeat violations, including a number of prepackaged foods that lacked labels, food being stored in the open without any protection and food being stored in an area that was under construction. It also noted that food was being prepared in an area not approved for food preparation, food was being stored on the floor, food was being washed in the handwash sink, cardboard was used to line the refrigerator’s shelves and knives were being improperly stored. Also, a handwash sink did not run water with a minimum temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit, a utility sink faucet was loose, a food preparation sink lacked hot water, a waste water pipe did not have backflow prevention, the refrigeration unit drained improperly to the floor, a refrigerator was broken and a ventilation hood light needed to be replaced. The report also recommended that the store thaw shrimp correctly by placing it under running water and clean the waste oil that has spilled around the dumpster outside.
Corner Deli Café at 23 Central Ave. in Island Heights was cited for five violations. The report found that food in the cold holding was not covered to avoid cross contamination, dishes were placed in the handwashing sink and the kitchen had accumulated dust, dirt and grease residue. The food manager’s certification had also expired and the report recommended cleaning to the dumpster area.
The food truck Shark Bait Mobile was cited for two violations. Its hand sink had a leak and the truck was cluttered.
Improvements
Since February, two restaurants and a market have improved from a conditionally satisfactory rating to a satisfactory rating.
Boemio Market at 314 Route 70 in Lakehurst had previously been cited for issues including mold and broken equipment. The reinspection in March found that the broken equipment was either removed or fixed.
Shing Loon at 715 Bennetts Mills Road in Jackson had previously been cited for cleanliness issues. Its reinspection in February found that “all previously cited violations had been abated.”
Golden Crown Restaurant at 665 Bennetts Mill Road in Jackson had previously been cited for cleanliness and storage issues. Its reinspection in February found that “all previously cited violations had been abated.”
Olivia Liu is a reporter covering transportation, Red Bank and western Monmouth County. She can be reached at oliu@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Ocean County restaurant health violations: Dead roaches on glue pads
