News

Sep 08, 2023

Berks food safety inspections indicate evidence of rodent activity in kitchen areas of Wyomissing business

Berks County is divided into three jurisdictions: Reading, Muhlenberg Township

Berks County is divided into three jurisdictions: Reading, Muhlenberg Township and the rest of the county. Reading and Muhlenberg Township have their own food safety inspectors and the rest of the county is inspected by Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture inspectors.

The results will be posted every other week. All food vendors are inspected at least once a year. Other inspections can be triggered by a change of owner, a follow up if a facility had been out of compliance or by a complaint filed with the PDA.

View any vendor's last inspection report online. Click on the PDF version of the inspection report for all details.

If a food provider is labeled out of compliance, that means it has one or more violations that require a return visit by an inspector. The establishment is given time to fix the problem(s) and remains open for business.

Below are the results of inspections conducted between May 10 and May 23, 2023, that were filed in the state database as of May 25 at 6:30 p.m.

Aldi #182, 1065 Woodland Road, Reading, May 19: no violations.

Bella's Subs & Pizza, 1912 State Hill Road, Wyomissing, May 19: no violations.

Camp Manatawny, 33 Camp Road, Douglassville, May 19: one violation. Some of the lights in the kitchen are missing end caps.

Chef David's Food & Friends, 105 Evans Ave., Wyomissing, May 19: 14 violations. The Person in Charge does not have adequate control of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Food employee eating in kitchen area as evidenced by observed partially consumed food in the pizza preparation area. A food employee was observed touching lettuce for a salad – a ready-to-eat-food – with bare hands. Bare wood studs (2×4's) used for the divider wall are not smooth, non-absorbent. This violation was also noted during the last regular inspection on 10/25/2022. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration at the 3-compartment sink. The slicer, a food contact surface, was observed to have dried food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. This violation was also noted during the last regular inspection on 10/25/2022. Some of the take-out containers are not stored inverted to protect the food contact surface. This violation was also noted during the last regular inspection on 10/25/2022. Plastic spoons in the Italian ice area are not displayed in a manner so that only the handles are touched when dispensed. This violation was also noted during the last regular inspection on 10/25/2022. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view. This violation was also noted during the last regular inspection on 10/25/2022. The handwash sink in the kitchen area was blocked by containers of soap, detergent, & hydrogen peroxide and was not accessible at all times for employee use. This violation was also noted during the last regular inspection on 10/25/2022. Some areas of the floor (under the cooking equipment) are rough and are not smooth, easily cleanable. Back door to the outside, located in the kitchen area of the food facility, has a large hole at the bottom and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other pests. Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the kitchen area. This violation was also noted during the last regular inspection on 10/25/2022. Ceiling tile missing above the slicer area needs to be replaced. Food facility inspection indicates evidence of rodent activity in kitchen areas (floor, cabinets, drawers). Out of compliance.

Humming Hills Farm Mff1, 50 Lake Road, Hamburg, May 19: no violations.

Rite Aid # 11174, 2210 State Hill Road, Wyomissing, May 19: no violations.

Cloud Nine Cafe, 84 Commerce Drive, Wyomissing, May 18: two violations. An open employee's beverage container was observed in a food preparation area. Corrected. Thermometers for ensuring proper temperature of equipment were not available or readily accessible in two of the refrigeration units. Corrected.

Douglassville Cafe, 1554 D Ben Franklin Highway, Douglassville, May 18: two violations. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view. Working containers (spray bottles) in kitchen area, used for storing chemicals, cleaners taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical. Corrected.

Hillbilly Bbq Xgb-0928, 908 Route 422, Douglassville, May 18: one violation.The plastic shield on the light fixture near the cooking area is damaged.

Outback Steakhouse #3919, 1101 Woodland Road, Wyomissing, May 18: no violations.

Sublime Cupcakes, 72 Commerce Drive, Wyomissing, May 18: no violations.

Hereford Vol Fire Co, 1153 Gravel Pike, Hereford, May 16: no violations.

Jake's Shakes, 545 Niantic Road, Barto, May 16: one violation. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view.

Pine Forge Athletic Association, 1068 Douglas Drive, Boyertown, May 16: no violations.

Brooks Cafe LLC, 1139 W. Ben Franklin Hwy Unit 2, Douglassville, May 15: five violations. Food employee observed in kitchen, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard covers. Black mold like buildup was observed in the interior of the Koolaire Ice Machine. Corrected onsite. Observed an accumulation of dirt/old food debris on the floor under floor mats and equipment in the cooking area. Tableware for customer self-service is not displayed so that only handles are touched by consumers and employees. Observed plastic containers of soap not clearly labeled with a manufacturer's label. Corrected onsite.

Lucky Leprechaun Winery, 335-337 State St., Hamburg, May 15: no violations.

M & M Sandwich And Pizza Shop, 4056a Friedensburg Road, Oley, May 15: no violations.

Mamas Famous Pizza Exeter, 35 W. 47th St., Reading, May 15: two violations. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. Mops are not being hung to air dry.

McDonald's #27056, 1188 Ben Franklin Highway, Douglassville, May 15: two violations. There is a significant accumulation of grease on the floor between the grills. There is old food spillage/splatter on the wall under the food prep hand wash sink. There is old product spillage on the top of the frozen dessert machine. The outsides of the refrigerators, bain maries, a non-food contact surface are not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and soil.

Oley Valley School District (Hs), 17 Jefferson St., Oley, May 15: no violations.

Perry Indoor Golf & Billiards, 805 State St. Suite B, Hamburg, May 15: one violation. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, 4559 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, May 15: two violations. Observed an accumulation of grease and old food debris on the floor under the fryers, between the units and back toward the wall. Observed clean food equipment and/or utensils on the green shelf next to the walk in cooler, stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying (wet nesting).

The Henry P. Robeson House Beef & Ale, 124 E Penn Ave., Robesonia, May 15: three violations. Cement floor in the exterior walk-in cooler must be sealed to be smooth and easy to clean. Women's toilet room is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins. The floor/wall juncture in kitchen area is not coved and closed to 1/32 inch. Out

Berks Ctc-West Campus, 1057 County Welfare Road, Leesport, May 12: no violations.

Burts's Farms, 1110 Route 100, Bechtelsville, May 12: one violation. Vacuum packed seafood on site has improper meat handling labeling, but does not indicate warning statement to remove seafood from packaging to properly thaw.

Crow Wagon Mff4 (Xjb-2466), 142 Cacoosing Lane, Birdsboro, May 12: no violations.

Dan's Deli, 1371 W. Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown, May 12: no violations.

Firefly Cafe, 12 N. Reading Ave., Boyertown, May 12: no violations.

Gabelsville Athletic Assn, 2 N. Funk Road, Boyertown, May 12: no violations.

Grumpy Grouper & Callow Hill Farm Store, 5764 Pottsville Pike, Leesport, May 12: one violation. Food facility has an employee who held a Certified Food Manager certificate; however, the certificate has expired and is no longer valid. Owner will be renewing her certification.

Keystone Steam Fire Engine Co #1, 240 N. Walnut St., Boyertown, May 12: no violations.

Antietam Mount Penn Elementary Center, 2310 Cumberland Ave., Reading, May 11: no violations.

Antietam School District Mount Penn Primary Center, 201 N. 25th St., Reading, May 11: no violations.

Antietam Senior High School, 100 Antietam Road, Reading, May 11: four violations. There is a heavy accumulation of ice in multiple locations in the walk-in cooler, along the wall with the walk-in freezer. Observed a build-up of dirt and some old food debris on the floor under equipment in the kitchen/serving area. The large fan being used in the dish room has an accumulation of dust/dirt that could blow off onto food contact surfaces. Outer door located near the walk-ins in the kitchen has a gap at the bottom and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other pests.

Baked Sweet Coffeehouse & Bakery, 429 Frystown Road, Frystown, May 11: one violation. Overhead air conditioning unit area of the food facility (in the food prep area) is extremely dirty, dusty, and in need of cleaning.

Blue Spruce Roadside Market, 4401 Conrad Weiser Parkway, Womelsdorf, May 11: one violation. An unapproved insect control device located in food storage/prep area with potential to contaminate food, equipment, and/or utensils.

Dairy Queen #10296, 4399 Penn Ave., Reading, May 11: two violations. Food employees observed in food prep front counter area, not wearing proper hair restraints, or beard covers. Overhead vent areas of the food facility are extremely dirty, dusty, and in need of cleaning.

Simply Bold, 550 Penn Ave., West Reading, May 11: no violations.

Willow Glen Park Konopelski Katering, 94 Park Ave., Sinking Spring, May 11: three violations. Severely dented, swollen, distressed canned items observed in food storage area and intended for use or sale in the food facility. Can discarded. *Corrected on site* Observed rusted screws inside the ice machine, leaching rust on the side of the machine. Must be changed to food grade/stainless steel screws to prevent contamination. Observed clean food equipment and/or utensils in warewashing area, stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying (wet nesting).

Bbq & Eggacy LLC At Leesport, Leesport Farmers Market, Leesport, May 10: one violation. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view. Certificate is available but not posted.

Bethany Children's Home Main Kitchen, 1863 Bethany Road, Womelsdorf, May 10: one violation. Chlorine chemical sanitizer residual detected in the final sanitizer rinse cycle of the low temperature sanitizing dishwasher was 00 ppm, and not 50-100 ppm as required. Service call placed.

Brobst Cottage, 1863 Bethany Road, Womelsdorf, May 10: no violations.

Country Fair Fries & More, Leesport Farmers Market, Leesport, May 10: no violations.

Dice's Ice Mff3, Leesport Farmers Market, Leesport, May 10: one violation. Paper towels not available at the handwashing station. Corrected.

Dubbs Cottage, 1863 Bethany Road, Womelsdorf, May 10: no violations.

Eck Cottage, 1863 Bethany Road, Womelsdorf, May 10: no violations.

Henning Center, 1863 Bethany Road, Womelsdorf, May 10: no violations.

Hess Cottage, 1863 Bethany Road, Womelsdorf, May 10: no violations.

Keck Cottage, 1863 Bethany Road, Womelsdorf, May 10: no violations.

Knerr Cottage, 1863 Bethany Road, Womelsdorf, May 10: no violations.

Knorr Cottage, 1863 Bethany Road, Womelsdorf, May 10: no violations.

Leinbach Cottage, 1863 Bethany Road, Womelsdorf, May 10: no violations.

Lisa's Sweets & Treats Mff3, Leesport Farmers Market, Leesport, May 10: two violations. Thermometer for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in the black refrigerator. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration.

Mayra's Latin Cuisine At Leesport, Leesport Farmers Market, Leesport, May 10: no violations.

Moyer Cottage, 1863 Bethany Road, Womelsdorf, May 10: no violations.

Owls Sports Club, 2324 Monroe Ave., West Lawn, May 10: no violations.

Reed Cottage, 1863 Bethany Road, Womelsdorf, May 10: no violations.

Schuylkill Valley Elementary School, 62 Ashley Way, Leesport, May 10: one violation. Some ceiling tiles are missing in the dishwashing room. Building is undergoing HVAC work in the ceiling areas. Ceiling tiles need to be replaced as soon as possible or another method needs to be used to prevent any debris from falling into the clean dish area.

Schuylkill Valley High School, 929 Lake Shore Drive, Leesport, May 10: one violation. Ceiling tile missing in the kitchen area near the handwash sink and serving line needs to be replaced.

Schuylkill Valley Middle School, 114 Ontelaunee Drive, Leesport, May 10: no violations.

Strickler's Delicatessen, Leesport Farmers Market, Leesport, May 10: one violation. Some lights are not shielded or shatter proof in the display cases.

Saint Marco Society, 4945 Commerce St., May 19: three violations. Food employees observed in prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard covers. Corrected immediately on inspection. Food Employee Certification has expired for facility. Plan to attend class within 90 days. Employee personal items were observed in kitchen area, and not stored in designated area or identified storage area as required.

Foltz's, 2934 N. Fifth St., May 18: three violations. Food dispensing utensil in yeast observed stored in the food and not with handle above the top of the food. Hot pads soiled. Clean hot pads unavailable to replace them. Mop is not being hung to air dry. Additional hooks required to hang cleaning tools.

Foods of the Mediterranean, 2934 N. Fifth St., May 18: two violations. Spice/Seasoning food ingredient storage containers, in the prep area, are not labeled with the common name of the food. Floor tiles are cracked, torn with sections missing, and is not easily cleanable.

Matt's Coney Island, 2934 N. Fifth Street Highway, May 18: no violations.

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar, 3050 North 5th Street Highway, May 13: three violations. Beige cart has melt damage which has created surface on top shelf that is not a smooth, cleanable surface to allow proper cleaning. Non-food contact surfaces, SDS book/holder and storage drawer not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and soil. Observed clean food equipment stored while wet, adequate time not allowed for draining and/or air-drying.

Krystyna's Kitchen – Roman's Polish Foods, 2934 N. Fifth Street Highway, May 13: two violations. Food employee observed not wearing proper hair restraint, such as net or hat. ServSafe certificate not displayed, but readily available.

Taco Bell # 5752, 402 Madison Ave., May 13: two violations. Food dispensing utensil in shredded cheese observed not stored with handle above the top of the food. Corrected on inspection. One of two mops not being hung to air dry. Corrected on inspection.

Vietnamese Delights, 2934 N. Fifth Street Highway, May 13: one violation. Potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours, located in the reach in refrigerators is not being date marked.

Wingswept Acres, 2934 N. Fifth Street Highway, May 13: no violations.

None filed.

The following reports for the period of April 26 to May 9, 2023, were added to the state's database after May 11 and did not appear in the previous Berks food safety report.

10 West Pizzeria, 10 W. Penn Ave., Wernersville, May 9: two violations. The quaternary ammonia concentration in the sanitizing solution of the 3-bay warewash sink was 50 ppm, rather than 200-400 ppm as stated on the manufacturers use directions. *Corrected on site* Floor in the front counter area, is cracked/broken and is not durable, smooth, non-porous, non-absorbent.

Cadillac Pub, 24 E. Main St., Fleetwood, May 9: five violations. Observed in-use knives and /or cleavers stored between table edges, an area not easily cleaned & sanitized. Corrected. Ice scoop is being stored directly on top of the ice machine, which is not a clean surface. Corrected. Thermometers for ensuring proper temperature of equipment are not available or readily accessible in the bain marie at the cook line and the white refrigerator in the kitchen. Corrected. Food facility does not have the correct sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration at the 3-compartment sink and the dishwasher (facility has pH test strips instead of sanitizer test strips). Observed an incorrect type of sanitizer installed at the dishwasher in the basement. Manager will get a chlorine-based sanitizer for the dishwasher by tomorrow. Until then they will sanitize dishes in the 3-compartment sink (with the quaternary ammonia sanitizer). Plumbing system not maintained in good repair – observed a significant amount of standing water on the floor near the water heaters in the basement.

Exeter Township School District Junior High School, 151 E. 39th St., Reading, May 9: no violations.

Exeter Township School District Reiffton Elementary, 4355 Dunham Drive, Reading, May 9: no violations.

Exeter Township School District Senior High School, 201 E. 37th St., Reading, May 9: no violations.

Kutztown Grange, South Kemp Street & James Alley, Kutztown, May 9: no violations.

Moselem Springs Golf Club, 684 Eagle Road, Fleetwood, May 9: one violation. Observed in-use knives stored between table edges, an area not easily cleaned & sanitized. Corrected.

Red Plate Diner, 440 E. Penn Ave., Wernersville, May 9: six violations. Observed a tray of cooked bacon stored directly on the floor in the walk-in cooler area, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. *Corrected on site* Observed cooked bacon sitting directly on top of used egg carton flats above the stove area in kitchen. *Removed, corrected on-site* Chlorine chemical sanitizer residual detected in the final sanitizer rinse cycle of the low-temperature sanitizing dishwasher was 0 ppm, and not 50-100 ppm as required. *Corrected on site* Mechanical warewashing equipment observed with build up of filth and grime build-up residue around the inside and corners/door frame area and not cleaned before use, and frequently throughout the day. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view. Observed cardboard being utilized as a floor covering in the walk-in cooler.

Top Star Express #0130 (Subway), 406 E. Penn Ave., Robesonia, May 9: no violations.

Exeter Township School District Owatin Creek Elementary., 5000 Boyertown Pike, Reading, May 8: no violations.

Giant Food Store #6446, 4655 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, May 8: two violations. Observed an accumulation of old food debris on the floor under equipment in the bakery. One of the plastic light shields in the dairy walk-in cooler is damaged.

Joe's Kwik Marts (#1045) Exxon, 2855 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, May 8: five violations. The following areas/surfaces were observed to have dirt/residue and are in need of cleaning: (1) counter under the self-serve drink units, (2) inside the cabinets under the self-serve drink units, & (3) floor/shelving in the side room (near the drink units). Plastic clam shell containers and paper boats for the hot dogs are not stored inverted to protect the food contact surface. Corrected. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view. Outside waste handling storage area was extremely dirty, with an accumulation of old trash on the ground. Food facility inspection indicates evidence of rodent activity in some areas. Facility is continuing with their pest control program.

Norte Sur Mexican Restaurant, 3223 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, May 8: three violations. Door located in the back of the food facility has a gap at the bottom and does not properly protect against the entry of pests. The light bulb in the walk-in cooler is not providing sufficient lighting to all areas of the cooler. The ductwork running along the ceiling near the dishwasher has some loose material/damaged areas.

Ruby Tuesday #2946, 1665 State Hill Road, Wyomissing, May 8: three violations. Thermometer for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in the small bain marie unit in the server area of the kitchen. Corrected. Plumbing system not maintained in good repair – observed water leaking at the faucet for the 3-compartment sink. Several light bulbs in the kitchen are missing the end caps and/or the protective plastic tubing.

12 & Marion Elementary School, 1200 N. 12th St., May 1: no violations.

Amanda Stout Elementary School, 301 S. 10th St., May 1: no violations.

Saint Margaret School, 235 Spring St., May 1: no violations.

Southern Jr. Middle School, 126 S. 10th St., May 1: no violations.

Sign up for email newsletters