Roaches and foul odors: See 24 Ocean County restaurants cited for health violations
Since the beginning of the year, the Ocean County Health Department has inspected 1503 food establishments, defined as “any type of business that sells fresh or packaged food items.” They include restaurants, convenience stores, cafeterias and food trucks, among others.
Of those 1,503 places, 24 currently have a conditionally satisfactory rating, as opposed to a satisfactory rating.
A conditionally satisfactory rating would mean that the establishment “needs improvement in several areas.”
A satisfactory rating, according to the Health Department website, would mean that the establishment was in “substantial compliance with State Health Codes.”
And an unsatisfactory rating would mean that the establishment has “serious or unsafe conditions/violations.”
None of the 1,503 food establishments inspected have received an unsatisfactory rating. The Health Department’s restaurant inspections are updated weekly.
New violations
Of the 24 food establishments with a conditionally satisfactory rating, 14 are new to the list since August.
Luisa’s Pizza, Pasta & More at 165 South New Prospect Road in Jackson was cited for two violations. One employee touched ready-to-eat food with his bare hands. The restaurant’s ServSafe certificate was also expired.
Chin Wong at 2275 W Countyline Road in Jackson was cited for six violations. The report noted that a number of the kitchen equipment’s gaskets and handles were damaged. One of the sinks was falling off the wall and the three bay sink was not set up properly to clean equipment and utensils. Paper towels also needed to be restocked by the handwash sink. There were flies in the kitchen and the kitchen needed to be cleaned more thoroughly.
Hunan Wok Kitchen at 2010 West County Line Road in Jackson was cited for four violations. The report noted that the restaurant received a conditionally satisfactory rating due to roaches in the kitchen. It advised the restaurant to call an exterminator. It also noted that its ServSafe certificate expired in August and two hand sinks needed paper towels.
Four Boys Ice Cream at 14 Leesville Road in Jackson was cited for 15 violations. They include issues with storing food and equipment, cleanliness and training. The inspector found items in the Pepsi cooler sitting in water in soaked containers, “severely” dented cans and equipment in need of repair. The report said that containers containing toxic materials did not have clear labels, items were not stored to prevent cross contamination and equipment was not cleaned after each use. It recommended that someone be put in charge of training employees to clean properly.
IHOP at 1759 Rt 88 in Brick was cited for three violations. The report noted that one of the bathroom sinks was not working and one of the sinks in the kitchen needed paper towels. It also noted that the walk-in freezer was leaking and freezing for so long that the entire floor was ice, making it a “slip and fall hazard.”
Laurita Winery at 85 Archertown Road in Plumsted was cited for 17 violations. The violations include hanging fly strips in the kitchen and prep area, shellfish stock without identification tags that specify the dealer’s ID and certification and the lack of temperature measuring devices on food. The majority of the violations stemmed from “haphazard” organization, cleanliness and concerns regarding cross contamination. It required that the winery separate raw and ready-to-eat food items and that all foods should be stored at least six inches off the floor.
Shogun Legacy at 1536 North Bay Ave. in Toms River was cited for five violations. They include not keeping a log of Ph for several months and general cleanliness issues. The shellfish refrigerator also “had a foul odor indicating some shell fish had spoiled.”
El Poblano at 1237 Lakewood Road in Toms River was cited for six violations. The report noted a number of cleaning and organizing issues. It said the counter supporting a handwash sink was broken and the grocery and deli needed coved molding between the floor and wall.
The food truck Ocean Inc. was cited for two violations that both involve leaks. One leak was found in the goose neck of the three-compartment sink and the other leak was found in the “hot-water-on-demand unit.”
As We Grow Childcare at 661 Manchester Blvd. in Manchester was cited for three violations. The inspection report notes that if the daycare wishes to change its kitchen from a 100% disposable operation to one that uses reusable dishes and utensils, it would need to install a dishwasher and a multi-compartment sink for washing, rinsing, sanitizing and air drying the dishes and utensils.
Bamboo Gardens II at 984 Rt 166 in Toms River was cited for three violations. The report cited general cleanliness issues and an expired ServSafe certificate.
Singas Famous Pizza at 1808 Rt 37 in Toms River was cited for 10 violations. The violations include a food preparation room without a hand wash sink, raw eggs being stored in the refrigerator above other foods, a broken coke refrigerator, a mop left in the bucket after use instead of being hung up, missing thermometers in certain refrigerators and missing sanitizer test kits. The report also contents with a propped open rear door and stated that loose food waste and bags of garbage were found both inside and outside the restaurant, creating a potential magnet for rodents. It also recommends against the use of bare wood shelving and plywood painted counters, writing “bare wood is absorbent and not cleanable.”
Spirits Unlimited at 439 Atlantic City Blvd. in Berkeley was cited for three violations. According to the report, the inspection was completed in response to a complaint. The inspector found “microbial growth” inside the walk-in cooler on the ceiling, baseboards and kickplates in disrepair and part of the ceiling buckling and “becoming detached.” The report said the store was in contact with its management company about a possible roof leak.
Lacey Liquors at 349 Rt 9 in Lanoka Harbor was cited for three violations. They include microbial growth and rust on all three ice machines, ice buildup in a freezer chest and a slow draining hand sink in the bathroom. The inspector recommended defrosting and cleaning both the ice machine and the freezer chest as well as fixing the hand sink.
From August: Flies, broken toilets and more: Health violations Ocean County kitchens have been cited for
Since August seven food establishments have had its ratings bumped from a conditionally satisfactory rating to a satisfactory rating. They include:
Holbrook Little League at 366 Bartley Road in Jackson was initially inspected in May and 10 violations were found that involved cleanliness issues, broken sinks and missing light bulbs. Its reinspection in September found no violations.
Sierra Poblana at 1312 Richmond Avenue in Point Pleasant Beach was inspected in May. The inspector found four violations regarding unfinished construction and a sink. Its October reinspection noted that construction was completed and the sink was fixed. It issued a citation regarding the raw wood storage shelves that it said should be painted.
Bais Malka Elementary School at 388 Chestnut Street in Lakewood was inspected in April and issued two citations about its unfinished ceiling. Its reinspection in October found “adequate floors, walls, ceilings and lighting supplied.”
Brooklyn Bistro at 1861 Hooper Avenue in Toms River was cited for three violations in August regarding an expired ServSafe certificate and missing thermostats on refrigerators and freezers. Its reinspection in September found that the violations have been corrected.
Il Giardinello Di Bacoli at 1232 Rt 166 in Toms River was cited for 16 violations in August. A number of items needed to be repaired and flies were present. Its September reinspection noted no violations.
CJ'S at 429 Lacey Road in Lacey was cited for nine violations in August. The inspection report said the restaurant needed to conduct a deep cleaning and install another hand sink. Its reinspection, also in August, found that it “rectified all violations found at the last inspection.” The reinspection report said the hand sink needed to be installed by the end of the year.
Pinelands Regional Middle School at 590 Nugentown Rd in Little Egg Harbor was inspected in May. Its four violations included missing test strips and handwashing signs. Its bathroom also did not have a “self-closing door.” Its reinspection in October found “no noncompliance.”
No new inspections
Ten food establishments have not received a reinspection since August.
Popeyes Restaurant near Adventure Crossing in Jackson was inspected in August and cited for 16 violations. Insects were found in “all areas of (the) establishment.” The restaurant also had soiled floors and walls and issues with organization as employee’s personal items were stored all around and in direct contact with the food.
Rita's at 2105 West County Line Road in Jackson was inspected in July and cited for three code violations. The report said employees have not had a functioning toilet for a couple of months and its three bay sink was broken and lacked hot water.
La Michoacana Mexican Grocery (also known as Super Mich Mexican Grocery) at 44 Main St. in Plumsted was inspected in February. Its four violations revolved around preparing food without proper certifications.
Pizano at 1715 Clifton Ave in Lakewood was inspected in June and cited for three violations. Its mop sink was broken and it lacked another sink in the sushi preparation area. Its kitchen sink also was missing soap.
Italian Villa at 445 Rt 539 in Plumsted was inspected in June and cited for seven violations. The inspection report noted that raw foods needed to be separated from ready-to-eat foods and staff needed to receive further training on sanitizing equipment and food storage. The restaurant also lacked sanitizing test strips.
Shore Grill And Deli in Hackensack Meridian Health Hospital in Brick at 425 Jack Martin Blvd. was inspected in February. Its five violations were for broken cold holding units and drain stops. The drains and/or grease trap needed servicing and the slicer needed to be sanitized daily.
Liu’s Kitchen at 1953 Route 88 East in Brick was inspected in May and cited for five violations involving with general cleanliness and organization. The restaurant also needed to acquire a parasite destruction letter from its fish supplier and pH monitoring materials for its sushi rice.
Boston Market at 141 Route 37 East in Toms River was inspected in February. Its two violations were regarding an expired ServSafe certificate, missing floor tiles and vents that had an accumulation of a black fuzzy substance.”
Quick Food at 370 Dover Road in South Toms River was inspected in January. Its 18 violations included cleanliness issues and missing tiles. The convenience store was also defrosting chicken when it was only approved for heating and serving meals.
The O.G. Creamery at 317 Ocean Gate Avenue in Ocean Gate was cited for four violations in June. The inspection report found cleanliness issues, a mop that was not stored to air dry and a lack of soap at its hand sink.
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: Two dozen Ocean County eateries cited for health violations
