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Mar. 17—Editor's note: This article was updated on March 17, 2023, at 2 p.m. to correct the violations found during the inspection of Bixler's Lodge.

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.

Complaints can be filed online with the PDA.

Below are the results of inspections conducted between March 1 and March 24, 2023, that were filed in the state database as of March 16 at 4 p.m.

Berks

Redner's Quick Shoppe #45, 2320 Penn Ave., West Lawn, March 14: two violations. Observed deeply scored cutting boards on deli prep refrigerator not resurfaced or discarded as required. F'real self serve milkshake machine was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch at underside of blender area.

Boyertown Area Schools Boyertown Elementary, 641 E. Second St., Boyertown, March 13: one violation. Observed the large Dayton fan in the dishwasher room, with an accumulation of dust, dirt like debris on non-food contact surfaces.

Boyertown Middle School West, 200 S. Madison St., Boyertown, March 13: no violations.

Chipotle Mexican Grill #1546, 2733 Paper Mill Road, Wyomissing, March 13: no violations.

Colebrookdale Elementary School, 1001 Montgomery Ave., Boyertown, March 13: one violation. Loose rubber door gasket observed on the Victory KIT15 Warming unit.

Highlands At Wyomissing, 2000 Cambridge Ave., Wyomissing, March 13: four violations. Facility does not have a method to verify the final rinse temperature at the hot water sanitizing dishwashers. Employee was sent to a local restaurant supply store to purchase something to correct this issue and returned prior to the end of this inspection. The can opener in the salad area, a food contact surface, was observed to have dried food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Corrected. Observed open, plastic half-gallon bottles and the associated lids stored unprotected in a bin in a side storage room. Corrected. Working container (spray bottle) in the kitchen area, used for storing chemicals, cleaners taken from bulk supplies, was not marked with the common name of the chemical. Corrected.

Navas La Terraza, 1600 Elizabeth Ave., Reading, March 13: no violations.

Saladworks, 2111 State Hill Road Unit 200, Wyomissing, March 13: one violation. Condenser fan covers in the walk-in cooler have an accumulation of dust/dirt.

Applebee's #3404, 1905 Ridgewood Road, Wyomissing, March 10: no violations.

Christine's Creekside Inn, 1250 Greenhills Road, Birdsboro, March 10: no violations.

La Abuela, 448 Penn Ave., West Reading, March 10: one violation. Large scoop at the ice machine is broken/damaged. Corrected immediately.

Mount Penn Family Restaurant, 3108 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, March 10: one violation. Bottom seal on the outside door in the kitchen is torn.

Shirley's Cafe & Tequila Bar, 1615 Duke St., Reading, March 10: six violations. Observed food equipment stored in cook line area, where it is subject to splash from hand sink. Observed frozen vacuum packed seafood being thawed in original vacuum packaging which is not an approved thawing method. Corrected. Containers of various food, a refrigerated, ready to eat time temperature control for safety food in the basement refrigerator area, was date-marked by the facility, but was beyond the 7 day use or sell by date and requires discarding. Corrected. Observed clean food equipment and/or utensils in basement clean dish rack area, stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying (wet nesting). Wall mounted hose nozzles were left laying on floor. Corrected. Waste receptacle for disposable paper towels not provided at the handwashing sink in kitchen areas.

Spoonful Thai Bistro, 615 Penn Ave., West Reading, March 10: two violations. One light fixture is not shielded or shatter proof in the back kitchen area. Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the front cooking area. Corrected.

Yogo Crazy, 2733 Papermill Road, Wyomissing, March 10: no violations.

Backwoods Brothers Authentic Texas Cuisine, 272 S. Fourth St., Hamburg, March 09: no violations.

Bixler's Lodge, 1456 Friedensberg Road, Stoney Creek, March 9: four violations. Observed in-use knives and /or cleavers stored between table edges, an area not easily cleaned & sanitized. Thermometer for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in the Beverage-Air refrigerator near the walk-in cooler. Corrected. Metal scoop at the ice machine is damaged at the front edge. Observed an accumulation of dirt/debris on the floor under the cooking equipment and some shelving in the kitchen.

Black Jax American Pub And Grill, 668 Ben Franklin Highway, Birdsboro, March 9: two violations. Loose rubber door gasket observed on the 2-door refrigeration unit used to store juice. The slicer, a food contact surface, was observed to have dried food residue on some surfaces and was not clean to sight and touch. Corrected.

Dollar Tree #1722, 5448 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, March 9: no violations.

Dunkin Donuts #339950, 1618 Mountain Road, Hamburg, March 9: three violations. The wash solution temperature in the stationary rack, dual temperature mechanical warewashing equipment was 140 °F, rather than not less then 150°F as required. Food facility person in charge does not have records to demonstrate routine inspection and service of water filters for the ice machine. Ceiling vents in all areas of the food facility are dirty, dusty, and in need of cleaning.

Exeter Sunoco Food Mart, 3153 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, March 9: one violation. Thermometer for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in the small Starbucks refrigerator used to store milk/creamer for coffee.

Inn At Reading, 1040 Park Road, Wyomissing, March 9: no violations.

Lio Colon's Food Bus Stop, 7184 Bernville Road, Bernville, March 09: no violations.

McDonald's #1072, 2730 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, March 9: three violations. Observed sticky residue and paper products on the floor under some of the shelving units in the basement. The floor / wall juncture in the walk-in cooler is not coved and closed to 1/32 inch in some areas. An open container of cleaner was stored above food trays/bacon in the kitchen area. Corrected.

Neversink Gun Club Inc., 4115 Painted Sky Road, Reading, March 09: one violation. Kitchen floor is damaged/deteriorated in front the refrigerator.

Paradise By The Slice, 69 Penn Ave., Wernersville, March 9: six violations. Observed boxes of food stored directly on the floor in walk in cooler in basement, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Interior surface of basement chest freezer is cracked and/or repaired with materials unapproved for food equipment. Loose rubber door gaskets observed on the reach in refrigerator on cook line. Observed some label residues on the clean food containers. Also Knives stored on wall magnets with some food debris. Corrected. Observed clean drink cups in waitress area and bowls in kitchen, stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying (wet nesting). Observed clean food bowls in dish room shelf area, stored uncovered or not inverted.

Shartlesville Dollar General #19767, 4 Roadside Drive, Shartlesville, March 9: one violation. Severely dented, distressed canned items observed in customer shelf area intended for use or sale in the food facility.

Splurge Bake Shoppe, 147 W Penn Ave., Wernersville, March 9: one violation. The food facility does not maintain Food Employee Certification records as required.

Berkshire Family Restaurant, 1714 State Hill Road, Wyomissing, March 8: one violation. Food facility inspection indicates evidence of rodent/insect activity. Facility does have weekly pest control service and they are actively addressing the issue.

Hereford Elementary School, 1043 Gravel Pike, Hereford, March 8: no violations.

Ihop #5502, 2701 Meridian Blvd., Wyomissing, March 8: no violations.

Little Caesars, 2851 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, March 8: one violation. Food facility has lost its certified food employee over 3 months ago and has not yet replaced the certified food employee as required. Facility is in the process of hiring a new manager that is certified.

Subway #35824, 567 Pa. Route 100, Bechtelsville, March 8: no violations.

Turkey Hill Minit Market #124, 3664 Seisholtzville Road PO Box 527, Hereford, March 08: no violations.

Wal-Mart Supercenter #5239, 567 Route 100 North, Bechtelsville, March 8: three violations. Food thermometer in the Deli Walk in Cooler is not scaled to measure to +/- 2°F. Torn and loose rubber door gaskets observed on the #11 to #20 OGP cooling units, and #14-#15 OGP Freezer. Observed the fan grills in the meat prep room, meat walk in cooler, and bakery freezer, with an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, debris on non-food contact surfaces.

Washington Elementary School, 1406 Route 100, Barto, March 8: one violation. Loose rubber door gasket observed on the right side front door of the Trausen WEK-022 warming unit.

Little Italia Pizzeria, 1665 State Hill Road, Wyomissing, March 7: one violation. Food facility has an employee who held a Certified Food Manager certificate; however, the certificate has expired and is no longer valid.

Morgantown Beverage, 3740 Main St., Morgantown, March 7: no violations.

Ray's #1 Pizza, 1665 State Hill Road, Wyomissing, March 7: one violation. Food facility has an employee who held a Certified Food Manager certificate; however, the certificate has expired and is no longer valid.

Sarina's Pizza, 3177 Morgantown Road, Mohnton, March 7: four violations. Plastic scoop in flour bin is missing handle and cracked. Discarded. Customer self-service single-use tableware is not displayed in a manner so that only the handles are touched by customers. Corrected. A Food Employee Certification is displayed, but the individual is no longer employed by the retail food facility. Working containers in counter area, used for storing —chemicals, cleaners— taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical.

Boyertown Area Schools Earl Elementary, 22 School House Road, Boyertown, March 6: no violations.

Boyertown Area Schools Senior High School, 120 N. Monroe St., Boyertown, March 6: no violations.

Clean Eatz, 1665 State Hill Road, Wyomissing, March 6: no violations.

Latin Taste, 1665 State Hill Road Unit 970, Wyomissing, March 6: five violations. Observed some food containers stored directly on the floor in the back area, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Corrected. Observed an accumulation of grease, debris on some of the hood surfaces in the cook line area. Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the back area. Corrected. The handwash sink in the back area does not have single use towels. Corrected. Mops are not being hung to air dry.

CVS #1301, 45 Constitution Blvd., Kutztown, March 3: no violations.

Dunkin Donuts, 800 Crossing Blvd., Elverson, March 3: no violations.

Dunkin Donuts #325176, 110 E. Main St., Kutztown, March 3: one violation. Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the front area. Corrected.

Kutztown School District Middle School, 10 Deisher Lane, Kutztown, March 3: no violations.

Kutztown Area School District High School, 50 Trexler Ave., Kutztown, March 3: no violations.

Rite Aid #7861, 3145 Main St., Morgantown, March 3: no violations.

Subway #54868, 15100 Kutztown Road Suite 2, Kutztown, March 3: one violation. Observed clean food containers in storage shelves, stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying (wet nesting). Corrected.

Turkey Hill Minit Market #115, 4443 New Holland Road, Mohnton, March 3: two violations. Non-food contact surfaces not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and soil. Old spilled food debris under hot dog rack in walk in cooler. Food facility person in charge does not have records to demonstrate routine inspection and service of backflow prevention devices and other water treatment devices. filters near soda boxes are not dated with last date of service.

Turkey Hill Minit Market #195, 3248 Morgantown Road, Mohnton, March 3: two violations. Hot dog/roller food were held at 120°F, in the counter area, rather than 135°F or above as required. Products discarded. Food facility has an original certificate posted, but the location is not conspicuous for public viewing. Corrected.

Turkey Hill Minit Market #292, 2432 Morgantown Road, Reading, March 3: three violations. Front square plate of the slushy dispensing machines have a slight mold build up around plate area. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view. Corrected. Black drink racks in walk-in cooler area of the food facility are dirty, moldy, dusty and in need of cleaning.

Chatty's, 3130 Pricetown Road, Fleetwood, March 2: one violation. Plastic ice scoop at the ice machine is cracked.

Chicken Supreme, 410 Penn Ave., West Reading, March 2: three violations. Observed dust/dirt on some floor and counter surfaces in the front area. Old unused equipment and other items should be removed from food facility. Working container (spray bottle) in back area, used for storing chemicals, cleaners taken from bulk supplies, was not marked with the common name of the chemical. Corrected.

D'lish Creations, 360 E Wyomissing Ave. Unit F, Mohnton, March 2: no violations.

Giant Food #6050, 2641 Shillington Road, Sinking Spring, March 2: six violations. Raw chicken displayed next to raw beef, in meat display case with no barriers to prevent cross-contamination.Corrected. Observed snack display stored directly on the floor in produce area, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Corrected. Food employee observed storing sanitizing bucket while wet, and not allowing time for draining and/or air-drying. Corrected. Plumbing system not maintained in good repair — observed leaking at the front of ware washing machine and water hose to the sanitizer station at the three bay ware washing sink in bakery. Observed some metal bumper guards and wall guards in the produce walk-in cooler area with chipping paint and rust and should be refinished. The fans in the walk-in cooler in the produce area of the food facility are dirty, dusty, and in need of cleaning.

Meat Me At Floren's, 10 Summit Ave., Shillington, March 2: two violations. Raw chicken was stored above raw beef in the fridge. Corrected. Food facility is using chlorine Sanitizer at an extremely high concentration of 200 ppm, not approved in the Code of Federal Regulations for food contact sanitizing at this level. Corrected.

Oley Valley Community Benefit Association, 3257 Friedensberg Road, Oley, March 2: no violations.

Redner's Quick Stop #25, 3401 Pricetown Road, Fleetwood, March 2: no violations.

Reppert's Candy, 2708 W. Philadelphia Ave., Oley, March 2: no violations.

Sweet Things Candies, 10 S. Summit Ave., Shillington, March 2: no violations.

Union Fire Company Social Quarters, 11 S. Canal St., Leesport, March 2: no violations.

Alfredo's Pizza, 846 Main St., Bally, March 1: three violations. Observed in-use knives and /or cleavers stored between table edges or between tables, an area not easily cleanable & sanitized. Corrected. All shelving in kitchen area with cardboard lining shelves that is not a smooth easily cleanable surface and must have cardboard removed. Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in small reach in refrigerator in kitchen area.

American Legion Post #471, 100 Walker Drive, Boyertown, March 1: no violations.

Boston Market #3605, 140 Wilderness Trail, Hamburg, March 1: no violations.

Gracie's, 1534 Manatawny Drive, Pine Forge, March 1: two violations. No sign or poster posted at the handwash sink in the restroom areas to remind food employees to wash their hands. Observed chemicals / pesticides being stored in rear storage area on shelving above ice machine.

Hitching Post, 2747 Bernville Road, Leesport, March 1: no violations.

Poor Richard's, 64 Star Road, Hereford, March 1: two violations. Food facility does not have available quat sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. Food facility has an employee that has taken food safety training program; however, the food safety program was not an ANSI/CFP accredited Certified Food Manager program.

Sonic Drive-In #6886, 4515 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, March 1: one violation. Observed a box of plastic wrap used to cover food items stored on a shelf under chemicals/cleaning supplies. Corrected.

Spice Lady, Leesport Farmers Market, Leesport, March 1: no violations.

Twin Valley High School, 4851 N. Twin Valley Road, Elverson, March 01: one violation. Observed a free standing fan (Big Bertha), with an accumulation of dirt/dust like buildup.

Twin Valley Middle School, 770 Clymer Hill Road, Elverson, March 1: one violation. A dead mouse was observed in a trap along the left side wall in the dry storage room. Mouse droppings were also observed in the area of where the dead mouse was found.

Wal-Mart Supercenter #3501, 100 Crossings Blvd., Elverson, March 1: four violations. Old spoiled foods were observed on the floor in the produce walk-in cooler. The raw produce case spray nozzles have a slime residue. The shelving in the dairy cooler has observable mold like buildup. Burned out lights observed in the bakery freezer.

Zook's Soft Pretzels, Leesport Farmers Market, Leesport, March 1: one violation. Some of the wood supporting counters/equipment is not smooth, non-absorbent.

Muhlenberg Township

Best Taco Mexican Food, 423 Water St., March 13: three violations. Several raw animal foods were stored above ready to eat foods in the 1 and 2-d00r reach-in refrigerators. Food residue and 1/8th hotel pan observed in the handwashing sink, indicating uses other than handwashing. Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwashing sink in the food prep area.

Five Star Nutrition, 3316 N. Fifth Street Highway, March 13: three violations. Food employees observed in prep area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard covers. Food dispensing utensil in coconut storage container observed stored in the food and not with handle above the top of the food. Corrected immediately on inspection. ServSafe Food Handler certificate posted; ServSafe Manager certification required.

Redners Quick Stop, 1137 Tuckerton Road, March 4: no violations.

Reading

None.

UPDATES

The following reports for the period of Feb. 15 to Feb. 28, 2023, were added to the state's database after March 2 and did not appear in the previous Berks food safety report.

Berks

Birdsboro Mart, 6600 Perkiomen Ave., Birdsboro, Feb. 28: 11 violations. The Person in Charge does not have adequate control of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Thermometers for ensuring proper temperature of equipment are not available or readily accessible in the small creamer refrigerator at the coffee counter or in the small sandwich refrigerator. Food facility still does not have available sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration at the 3-compartment sink. There is still a gap between the 3-compartment sink and the wall that will allow water/debris to accumulate behind the sink, an area that can't be properly cleaned. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view. The handwash sink in the food preparation area was blocked by dirty dishes and was not accessible at all times for employee use. Corrected. Hot water handle for the handwash sink in the back, 3-compartment sink area is not working. One of the lights near the 3-compartment sink is not shielded or shatter proof. Corrected.Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the back, 3-compartment sink area. Corrected. Ceiling tile missing in the 3-compartment sink area needs to be replaced. Unused equipment stored in the 3-compartment sink area and the back room near the walk-in cooler should be removed from the food facility. Out of compliance.

Calabria Restaurant, 6646 Penn Ave., Wernersville, Feb. 28: three violations. Shield is broken on handsink next to dough mixer and must be repaired. 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. Service call placed and facility to sanitize in 3 bay warewashing sink. Observed clean utensils in kitchen area, stored uncovered or not inverted. Corrected.

Dollar General Store #13403, 226 E. Penn Ave., Robesonia, Feb. 28: no violations.

Heidelberg Family Restaurant, 910 W. Penn Ave., Robesonia, Feb. 28: two violations. Ice machine bin in kitchen is missing a piece of trim at the top of door causing a large open gap the must be repaired. Observed clean food equipment and/or utensils in clean dish rack and counter area, stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying (wet nesting).

Kutztown Temple Association, Crystal Cave Road, Kutztown, Feb. 28: no vioations.

Austin's Restaurant, 1101 Snyder Road, West Lawn, Feb. 27: five violations. Loose rubber door gaskets observed on the ice machine unit. Observed deeply scored portable cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required. Clean stacked pans observed with labels and label residue. Food employee observed storing clean food equipment while wet, and not allowing time for draining and/or air-drying. Corrected. Observed clean food equipment and/or utensils in clean pan shelf area, stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying (wet nesting). Observed clean dish racks stored on the wet floor in dish room floor area.

Grocery Outlet Of Shillington, 4200 Shillington Plaza, Reading, Feb. 27: no violations.

Mangia! Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, 322 E. Wyomissing Ave., Mohnton, Feb. 27: three violations. Reach-in refrigerators in kitchen have dirt, residue build up around door frame and gasket areas, underside of metal shelf at cook line has food splash build up and soap dispensers at hand sinks have residue build up and must be cleaned. Food facility has an employee who held a Certified Food Manager certificate; however, the certificate has expired and is no longer valid. Corrected. Trash receptacle / waste handling unit outside had lids open while not in use. Corrected.

New Great China, 2675 Shillington Road, Sinking Spring, Feb. 27: three violations. Observed ansul system pipes and hood equipment, in kitchen area, with an accumulation of dripping grease on non-food contact surfaces. Observed clean food equipment and/or utensils in — area, stored wet in a manner that does not allow for draining and/or air drying (wet nesting). Corrected. Screen door located in the rear kitchen area of the food facility has a gap and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals.

Blue Mountain Academy, 2363 Mountain Road, Hamburg, Feb. 24: no violations.

CVS #1923, 3100 Shillington Road, Sinking Spring, Feb. 24: two violations. Observed Candy displays stored directly on the floor in aisle area, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Rear door located in the storage area of the food facility has a gap and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals.

Muhlenberg School District Middle School, 801 Bellevue Ave., Laureldale, Feb. 24: no violations.

Bob's Discount Furniture, 2753 Papermill Road, Wyomissing, Feb. 23: no violations.

China Moon Restaurant, 4888 Penn Ave., Sinking Spring, Feb. 23: five violations. Walk-in cooler floor has a hole in and must be repaired. Observed deeply scored cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required. The water temperature of the wash compartment of the manual warewashing equipment was not 110°F, as required. Facility will heat water for sink until repair is completed of hot water heater. Observed flour/corn starch bin lids in closet area, with an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, debris on non-food contact surfaces. All the handwash sinks located in the premise do not have water at a temperature of at least 85°F. Hot water was not operational at the start of inspection, however repairs were in process as inspection was being completed.

Falco's Tavern, 29 W Penn Ave., Robesonia, Feb. 23: three violations. Ice machine has a build up of mold and lime crystals around ice mold plate and soda gun nozzle holder has a slime debris build up. Microwave in kitchen has old food splash debris and must be cleaned. Also sinks, faucet handles and refrigerator doors have old food residue and must be cleaned. Floor area behind bar at ice bin has broken glass and debris.

Violet Vintage Wine Company, 107 Shartlesville Road, Bernville, Feb. 23: no violations.

Whoo's Cooking At The Boxcar Grill, 154 E Penn Ave., Robesonia, Feb. 23: three violations. Kitchen equipment has some old food splash debris and dirt. Kitchen has some clutter with unused equipment that must be cleaned out. Dining rool toilet rooms does not have a self-closing door. Flooring/mats at the front counter/work area of the food facility are dirty and in need of cleaning. Also kitchen floor needs a cleaning.

Giant Food #6289, 2104 Van Reed Road, West Lawn, Feb. 21: no violations.

Paparone's Pizza Restaurant, 3803 Penn Ave., Sinking Spring, Feb. 21: two violations. Wall mounted french fry cutter blades, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Corrected. Flooring in the front counter area is made of tiles that are cracked/missing and is not a smooth, easily cleanable surface. Repair is scheduled to be completed.

Plaza Azteca, 100 Anna Ave Suite 456, Blandon, Feb. 21: no violations.

Kutztown School District Elementary School, 40 Normal Ave., Kutztown, Feb. 16: no violations.

Muhlenberg Township

Little Caesar's, 4701 N. Fifth Street Highway, Feb. 25, four violations. Lower shelf of dough table soiled. Dunnage racks soiled. Food employees observed in food prep, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard covers. Observed food preparation under dirty ventilation ducts and subject to potential contamination. Air return vents dusty. Water lacking pressure throughout facility. Contractor contacted with repair of leak at time of visit.