Here are Thurston County food safety scores for Feb. 21

The Olympian staff
·6 min read

Comments are taken directly from the latest Thurston County Public inspection reports, which are available for each food establishment, at the Thurston County Environmental Health Office and their website. For questions concerning these reports, contact the health office at 360-867-2667.

Report restaurant, grocery store, deli or bakery complaints online via the complaint form here: https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/phss/Pages/eh-problem.aspx.

Reading inspection scores:

  • Attention should be given to the type of violation (red versus blue) and whether the establishment has a history of red violations or repeat violations.

  • Red violations are those most likely to cause food-borne illness and must be corrected immediately if feasible or according to a compliance schedule established by the health officer. Example: not keeping food at the right temperature.

  • Blue violations relate to the overall cleanliness and condition of operation and must be corrected according to a compliance schedule established by the health officer. Example: a worn floor that needs replacing.

  • If red points exceed 45, the county will require a reinspection within 10 business days. A reinspection also is required if total red and blue points exceed 65.

  • If red points exceed 100 and there’s a lack of managerial control, the county will shut down the establishment for at least 72 hours. The establishment may reopen after management and employees complete retraining and demonstrate corrective action during a reinspection.

  • Some common abbreviations: PHF/TCS is potentially hazardous food/time control for safety; RTE is ready to eat; PIC is person in charge; FWC is food worker card; CDI is corrected during inspection.

KN Halal Market

7255 Martin Way E., Olympia

Meat Market

Feb. 8: 50 red points; 10 blue points.

Comments:

  • The person-in-charge was not actively controlling risks.

  • The kitchen hand sink was blocked by prep tables and equipment.

  • TCS foods, such as spring rolls and pork buns, were displayed at room temperature.

  • The operator expanded the menu to include TCS food production without required review.

  • Light was visible at the base of doors. Entrances must be sealed to prevent pest contamination.

  • The food prep sink and three compartment sink lacked an air gap.

Grocery Stores and Confectionaries

Feb. 8: 0 red points; 2 blue points.

Comments:

  • Shelving throughout the facility was not at least 6 inches off the ground.

Lemongrass Café

5801 Capitol Blvd. SW, Tumwater

Feb. 8: 50 red points; 5 blue points.

Comments:

  • The person-in-charge and cooks did not have basic knowledge of food safety such as standards for hot and cold holding temperatures.

  • Food worker cards were expired.

  • Cooked tofu was improperly cooling in deep containers.

  • An available thermometer was not calibrated and not used by cooks.

  • A chlorine sanitizer solution was too strong as prepared. No sanitizer test strips were available.

  • Wiping cloths were not stored in a chlorine sanitizer bucket.

Cove

311 Capitol Way N., Olympia

Food Service Establishment

Feb. 8: 45 red points; 0 blue points.

Comments:

  • One food worker card was expired.

  • A food worker garnished a cocktail using their bare hands.

  • Various items in a prep unit closest to the serve station were more than 41 degrees.

  • A hand sink was moved without prior approval.

Rivers Edge

4611 Tumwater Valley Drive SE, Olympia

Food Service Establishment

Feb. 5: 40 red points; 5 blue points.

Comments:

  • One food worker card was absent during the inspection.

  • Hollandaise sauce and gravy with meat were cooled in 4-inch inserts while covered and between 90-110 degrees.

  • Sliced tomatoes in a prep unit were at 47-48 degrees.

  • A ware-wash chlorine sanitizer was too weak as prepared.

Viking Lounge

6318 Martin Way E., Lacey

Food Service Establishment

Feb. 7: 15 red points; 12 blue points.

Comments:

  • TCS foods in a prep unit were more than 41 degrees.

  • Menu lacked a proper consumer advisory for cooked to order items.

  • Light was visible at the base of the rear door.

  • A deli slicer was dirty with visible food residue.

  • Shelving was not 6 inches off the ground.

Bubble Island

700 Sleater Kinney Road SE, Lacey

Coffee Shop

Feb. 8: 10 red points; 16 blue points.

Comments:

  • A hand-wash sink lacked soap and paper towels.

  • Ice cream scoops were stored in room temperature water.

  • A worker improperly used a three-compartment sink to wash blender pitchers.

  • The facility lacked a dedicated food sink.

  • The restroom door was not self-closing.

The Town Tavern

2020 Pacific Ave. SE, Olympia

Food Service Establishment, Drinking Establishment

Feb. 5: 20 red points; 5 blue points.

Comments:

  • A probe tip thermometer was absent during the inspection.

  • Cooked to order food items on the menu lacked a consumer advisory.

  • A chlorine sanitizing solution was too strong as prepared.

  • Sanitizing solution test strips were unavailable.

S&J Caffe Express

5121 Capitol Blvd. SE, Tumwater

Coffee Shop

Feb. 7: 20 red points; 0 blue points.

Comments:

  • The person-in-charge did not have basic knowledge about minimum cold holding temperatures or danger zone temperatures.

  • A calibrated probe thermometer was not available during the inspection.

  • A chlorine sanitizer solution was too strong as prepared.

Charlie’s on 4th

620 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia

Food Service Establishment

Feb. 5: 10 red points; 10 blue points.

Comments:

  • Food worker cards were not available upon request.

  • A prep unit cold held TCS foods above 41 degrees. All cold held TCS foods must be at or below 41 degrees.

  • A sanitizer solution was too weak as prepared.

  • Sanitizer test strops were not available during the inspection.

Olympia Seafood

4241 Capitol Blvd. SE, Suite 171, Tumwater

Food Service Establishment

Feb. 8: 15 red points; 0 blue points.

Comments:

  • Shellfish tags did not have dates for when they were sold.

  • An in-use chlorine sanitizer solution was too strong as prepared.

Hampton Inn and Suites

4301 Martin Way E., Olympia

Food Service Establishment

Feb. 7: 15 red points; 0 blue points.

Comments:

  • The establishment improperly cold held milk using a thermos and hard-boiled eggs using an ice case.

  • The available thermometer was not calibrated and not used to evaluated TCS food items temperature.

Pints Dog House

4444 Sixth Ave. SE, Lacey

Mobile Food Unit

Feb. 6: 10 red points; 5 blue points.

Comments:

  • An in-use sanitizer solution was too strong as prepared.

  • Sanitizer test strips were unavailable during the inspection.

Red Lion Inn and Suites Olympia

621 Capitol Way S., Olympia

Food Service Establishment

Feb. 9: 15 red points; 0 blue points.

Comments:

  • Two food worker cards were expired.

  • A hand-washing sink lacked soap and disposable paper towels.

Fatso’s Bar and Grill

3205 Martin Way E., Olympia

Food Service Establishment

Feb. 7: 12 red points; 0 blue points.

Comments:

  • The establishment was cited for not having current food worker cards or adequate handwashing facilities. No inspection notes were provided.

Randeez Coffee

5301 Yelm Highway SE, Lacey

Coffee Shop

Feb. 9: 5 red points; 5 blue points.

Comments:

  • A calibrated probe thermometer was not available.

  • Chlorine bleach test strips kit was not available.

McCoy’s Tavern

418 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia

Drinking Establishment

Feb. 7: 5 red points; 5 blue points.

Comments:

  • The person-in-charge lacked a valid food handler card.

  • A sanitizer solution was too weak as prepared.

No violations

  • Dutch Bros Coffee, Coffee Shop, 7225 Martin Way E., Olympia

  • Pints Dog House, Commissary Kitchen and Drinking Establishment, 4444 Sixth Ave. SE, Suite 100, Lacey

  • Colonial Inn, Food Service Establishment, 3730 14th Ave. SE, Olympia

  • Ranch House BBQ and Steakhouse, Food Service Establishment, 10841 Kennedy Creek Road SW