inspection – Page 15 – West Boca News

Rodent Droppings in Delray Taquería

Taqueria Huetamo in Delray; image by Google

It was a mostly good week for inspections, but Taquería Huetamo (Linton and Congress in Delray) was shut down on Friday after an inspection found rodent droppings:

Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found …….. approximately 15 some fresh , some old rodent droppings underneath SOBE COOLER in food prep area .One fresh dropping on self under the prep table, approximately 5 old rodent droppings underneath shelvings through out storage area and dish washing area. Approximately 10 fresh and 15 old rodent droppings underneath shelf and floor by the discarded equipment in dishwashing area.

Close up of the restaurant's window sign — Close up of the restaurant’s window sign

The inspection, worst of the week, noted a total of 17 violations including 3 other high priority violations:

Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands – food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure…..putting butter on bread with bare hands . **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit….sauce 45° in SOBE reach in cooler , food removed to another acceptable cooler. ….cooked beef 44°, yellow rice 43°/44° in coca cola reach in cooler . Operator stated keep opening door make temperature high, closed the door ……shredded cheese , salsa 48°, cut lettuce 44° in flip top cooler across from grill in kitchen ….red sauce, green sauce in front line flip top cooler , food being held less than an hours , ice down on food.Corrective Action Taken** **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
Raw animal food stored over cooked food…..raw beef above cooked chicken in flip top reach in cooler across from grill in kitchen.

The restaurant reopened after a follow-up inspection found five minor violations. Taquería Huetamo has had mixed inspections in the past with some good ones but also a not-so-great one in March of 2015, and another one with over 100 rodent droppings in September of 2014.

Keep in mind that overall it was a good week. On the good news side of things, the popular Tomasso’s Pizza & Subs on the north side of Palmetto Park Road just east of I-95 had a perfect inspection.

Tomasso's Pizza & Subs; image by Google — Tomasso’s Pizza & Subs; image by Google

Another perfect inspection went to Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt in the Garden Shops at Boca, on the south side of Palmetto west of Powerline.
Other very good inspections were recorded by Packy’s in Logger’s Run with two violations and Wendy’s in the same plaza with only one minor violation.
In other inspections of note:
Gramercy Bagels on Jog in Delray had 16 violations with 3 high priority.
Morton’s of Chicago at Town Center Circle had 12 violations with 3 high priority.
The new Your Pie in Coral Springs (441 south of Wiles in the Super Target plaza) had 10 violations in their licensing inspection including a stop sale on food that was not kept cold enough. They had a same-day follow-up inspection with only 2 violations.
China Cafe in Loggers Run Plaza had 10 violations.
Asia on the west side of Powerline at Camino Real had 10 violations.
On the west side of 441 near SW 18th (Marina), Sushi Yoshee had 9 violations.
Panera at Town Center Circle (east side of Military Trail) had 5 violations.
Licensing inspections were reported for:
Howard’s Famous Corned Beef & Deli on Federal Highway in East Boca (1 minor violation)
Bonito Company on Hillsboro in Deerfield Beach (1 minor violation)
Our spreadsheet for this week is below:
[gview file=”https://westbocanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/allinsp-1-31-2016.pdf”]

Chinese Restaurant Torture: Inspection Report

Hong Kong Palace on Powerline; image by Google

It was a bad week for Chinese restaurants in West Boca. At the top of the smelly pile was Hong Kong Palace on Powerline. They had a total of 37 violations including 6 marked high priority:

Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. – employee using a cleaner/sanitizer with bleach as sanitizer in 3 compartment sink for manual warewashing.
Employee failed to wash hands beforechanging gloves and/or putting on gloves to work with food. – from manual warewashing to cooking on line without handwashing.
Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage _ direct contact with food. – in walk in cooler.
Raw animal food stored in top portion of make table over ready-to-eat food in bottom portion of make table _ no complete physical barrier between top and bottom. – wok line cold table has raw sausage in rear with vegetables and cook foods in front of it.
Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands.
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.

They also had bad inspections in August of 2015 and October of 2014. They’ve had some good inspections as well in the past.
The next biggest number goes to Shanghai City (south side of Glades across from the Turnpike entrance) with 31 violations, 3 of them high priority.
It was also a rough for Chen’s Yokohama (Boca Lyons Plaza). They had two bad inspections. On the 20th they had 30 violations (4 high priority including a stop sale).

Employee switched from working with raw food to ready-to-eat food without washing hands.
Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food held using time as a public health control marked with a time that exceeds the 4-hour limit. See stop sale.
Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. See stop sale.
Squid, octopus, conch, eel, crab, shrimp, crawfish, lobster or other non-finfish offered raw or undercooked have not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. **Repeat Violation**

Two days later on a follow-up they still had 24 violations (3 high priority).

Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food held using time as a public health control marked with a time that exceeds the 4-hour limit. See stop sale.
Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. See stop sale. – Time Extended Until Monday March 21, 2016.
Squid, octopus, conch, eel, crab, shrimp, crawfish, lobster or other non-finfish offered raw or undercooked have not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. **Repeat Violation** Time Extended Until Monday March 21, 2016.

Others with more than 10 violations include:
Odyssey Diner in Delray (19 violations)
Loggers Run Plaza – Mama’s Pizza (16) and Nikuya (13)
Palmetto & Powerline – New Golden China (14) and Sushi Yama (13)
Thai Delight in Deerfield (13 violations, all minor)
and Hunan City on Yamato at Lakeridge (12)

Good News
The best inspection of the week goes to Jet’s Pizza in Somerset Shoppes. They were perfect – zero violations.
Other notable good inspections were had by Davito’s in Boca Greens (2 minor violations) and Stallone’s on Glades (4 minor violations).
Our full spreadsheet for the week is below:
[gview file=”https://westbocanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/allinsp1-24-2016.pdf”]

Good Week for Restaurant Inspections

It was a good week for area restaurants as far as inspections go. Often we see places with 20 or more violations, sometimes 30 or higher. This week the worst was 18 and it wasn’t even as bad as that sounds.

China One, Palmetto Park Road just east of I-95; image by Google

But as usual we’ll start with the biggest number. China One on Palmetto Park Road in East Boca had 18 violations with 3 marked high priority:

Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. – for non-exempt sushi fish (salmon). **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. – REACH IN COOLER – (Cook Line Cold Table) cooked chicken pieces 53° can sauce 63° **Corrective Action Taken** – placed in WALK IN COOLER **Warning**
Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. See stop sale. – for sushi rice. **Warning**

Boon's Asian Bistro in Boca Greens; image by Google — Boon’s Asian Bistro in Boca Greens; image by Google

Boon’s Asian Bistro in Boca Greens (west side of 441 between Glades and Yamato) is next on the list with 16 violations. Four were marked high priority, below, but we noticed a mistake by the inspector.

Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. – Tested at 0 PPM. **Corrected On-Site**
Employee handled soiled dishes or utensils and then handled clean dishes or utensils without washing hands. – Dishmachine operator.
Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. **Repeat Violation**
Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. – In WALK IN COOLER – sweet chili sauce 48° chicken 48° beef 48° Krab 48° shrimp 48° AMBIENT 50°

The third one (“non-exempt fish …”) indicates a repeat violation. We went back and checked the previous four inspections and can’t find that one. In other words, it’s not a repeat violation. Boon’s has a history of reasonably good inspections. This is the first we’ve seen with more than 10 violations and it’s not that bad.

El Balcon de las Americas; image by Google

The next worst in West Boca also wasn’t that bad. El Balcon de las Americas (corner of Sandalfoot and 441) had 11 violations with 2 high priority:

Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. – tested TWO cycles at 0 PPM
Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. – Front Display Cabinet Baked Goods not protected as cabinet door is ajar and n need of adjustment/repair.

Others with 10 or more violations include:
In East Boca – Merlino’s, Flashback Diner, Giovanni’s Pizza, and Kyoto Rock; and
Lucky Dragon on 441 in Parkland
Vikings Steak Seafood & Sushi in Delray Beach
Good News

This week’s winner is the high end Six Tables in the little plaza just south of Mizner Park, with a perfect inspection.
Close behind with just one violation was Brendy’s Ice Cream & Yogurt on the north side of Yamato between 441 and Lyons (near Doris Market); and Bakery of France on SW 18th (the plaza with Outback Steakhouse).
As usual our spreadsheet for this report is below:
[gview file=”https://westbocanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/allinsp-1-17-2016.pdf”]

Inspections Hit Biergarten, Sumo, Japango, Sushigo and more

It could be a happier new year for some. Three restaurants had 30 or more violations in our latest inspection report, with one close behind at 29. The biggest number “prize” goes to one of our favorite Mexican restaurants in East Boca, Las Fajitas on Dixie Highway, with 37 violations.

While they had the biggest number overall, most (26) of the violations were marked at the most minor level. Only three were at the most serious “high priority” including hand washing, food storage and food temperature. They had a follow up inspection the next day with five minor violations.

Another place we like, Biergarten in Royal Palm Place, had 30 violations including 6 marked high priority:

Employee failed to wash hands beforechanging gloves and/or putting on gloves to work with food. Line cook changed gloves no hand wash. **Corrected On-Site**
Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Flip top#1- cut tomatoes 54°, chopped ham 53°, sour cream 53°, cuke salad 53°. Product moved to another cooler. Butter at 74° F at cookline under no temperature control. Food moved to working cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
Raw animal food stored over ready-to-eat food. Raw pork over pretzels. Pretzels removed. **Corrected On-Site**
Small flying insects in bar area. Outside.
Spray bottle with chemical/toxic substance stored near/on/above food preparation surface or food. Spray bottles moved away from utensils. Butane on top of prep table and chemical bottles by utensils in dishwashing area.**Corrected On-Site** **Corrected On-Site**
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Near ice machine.

Down in Deerfield Beach, Sumo Japanese also had thirty violations. Five were marked high priority. The worst of it was a stop sale:

Stop Sale issued on potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food due to temperature abuse. Fliptop 59° shrimp, fish 53°, lobster 56°, salmon skin 56°, dumplings pork 54°

Just short of those three, the Japango in Regency Court (aka Woodfield Plaza at Yamato and Jog) had 29 violations with 5 high priority. None of the violations looked that bad to us.
Three other restaurants had 20 or more violations including:

Sushigo on Federal Highway in Boca (22 violations, 4 high priority)
Steak N’ Shake on 441 in Coral Springs (21, 3)
Ichiyami Buffet near Royal Palm Place in East Boca (20, 6)

We remember Ichiyami, which had worse inspections in October 2015 and a really bad one in November of 2014.
Good News
The best inspection this report goes to Big Joe’s Burgers and Wings on Federal Highway in East Boca, with a perfect inspection – no violations at all.
There was also a perfect licensing inspection for Domus Restaurant and Lounge in Royal Palm Plaza.
Other good inspections went to:

Lion & Eagle Pub, Federal Highway in Boca (1 violation, 0 high priority)
Twenty/Twenty Grille, Royal Palm Place, Boca (1, 0)
Apura on Powerline in West Boca (1, 1)
Rocksteady Jamaican Bistro on Federal Highway in East Boca (2,0)
Nordstrom E-Bar in Town Center (2, 1)
Shinju Buffet on Glades in West Boca (3, 2)

Other notables in this report include:

Sergio’s America Bakery on 441 near the Sandalfoot gas station (19, 1)
Lemongrass on the south end of Mizner Park (19, 5)
Pizza Chef on 441 near the county line (10, 1)
IHOP at 441 and Glades (10, 1)
Cheesecake Factory at Town Center (10, 2)
Mississippi Sweets BBQ on Federal Highway (10, 3)
Ruby Tuesday in Mizner Park (9, 1)
Bogarts on Airport Road (9, 1)
Bagel Brothers in the Target Plaza (aka Long Island Bagel, we think) (7, 3)
Thick and Thin Pizza in Sandalfoot Square (7, 1)
Tilted Kilt on Airport Road (7, 0)
Taso’s near the Home Depot in West Boca (6, 1)

Also, the new Dunkin Donuts at Kimberly and Lyons had an unusually big number for a licensing inspection, 9 violations with 2 high priority.
Our full spreadsheet is below:
[gview file=”https://westbocanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/allinsp-1-10-2016.pdf”]

Roaches and Rodents Shut Down Baja Cantina

Baja Cantina at 201 NW 1st Ave in Boca Raton; Image by Google

We used to like this place but …
Baja Cantina in East Boca was closed by inspectors two days in a row, on December 21st and 22nd, due to roaches and rodents.
On the 21st inspectors found 32 total violations including 9 marked high priority. The worst of it:

Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 21 live roaches under handwash sink at bar.
Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 64 fresh rodent droppings on the bottom shelving of the prep table where rice and beans containers are stored in the rear prep area, 8 fresh droppings on top of containers of rice and beans in rear prep area, 16 dry rodent droppings on top of dishmachine, 10 fresh rodent dropping in container with onions in rear prep area, 28 dry and 39 fresh rodent droppings in coffee filter storage in front of walkin cooler, 100 dry and 100 fresh rodent droppings in water heater room, 15 dry rodent droppings in ice machine room, 30 fresh and 50 dry rodent droppings in storage area by liquor room, 10 fresh and 30 dry rodent droppings by wait station, 10 fresh rodent droppings on shelving where fajita wood boards are stored and 7 fresh rodent droppings in rolled utensils in bar area. **Warning**
Rodent rub marks present along walls/ceilings. Near hole with soda lines by walkin cooler **Warning**

It initially looked good to reopen during the callback inspection on the 22nd with only a few violations, but then:

At time of the callback on 12/22/15, no evidence of droppings, however a rodent ran through the gap of the back door at time of the callback.

They were able to reopen later the same day with only one minor violation.
It was a 3-day week for inspectors so there were fewer inspections overall.
Another place in East Boca that we like (and still like) is Taverna Kyma. Their inspection on the 21st had 22 violations including 4 marked high priority.

Cooked poultry not reaching a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds….chicken . Cooked again 167° **Corrected On-Site**
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly….00ppm. Changed sanitize bucket . **Corrected On-Site**
Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit…cooked spinach , roasted pepper 53° in reach in drawer below grill in cook line less than an hour. Removed food to another acceptable cooler . **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
Raw animal food not properly separated from ready-to-eat food….raw tilapia top of chicken contacting each other in reach in cooler in kitchen. **Corrected On-Site**

Taverna Kyma has had some other not-great inspections in the past, including problems with food temperatures and storage. Their last inspection in June was perfect. But the April one had 15 violations, and the one before that in August of 2014 had 17 violations. We’d like to see them do better on inspections but otherwise it is a great place to eat.
The other noticeably bad inspection was for Chaiyo Thai Bistro on Military Trail in Delray Beach, with 26 violations including 5 marked high priority involving hand washing, food temperatures and food storage.
On the good news side of things, there were no perfect inspections. Subway in Lakeside Centre (Glades near Boca Rio) had 4 minor violations, which is about the best of it.
Other notables this week include:

China Buffet & Grill on Hillsboro in Deerfield Beach, with 19 violations including 4 high priority
Mario’s Osteria at 1400 Glades Road (13 violations, 3 high priority)
Brewzzi at 2222 Glades (9, 2)
J Alexander at 1400 Glades (7, 2)
Mama’s Pizza & Pasta at Kimberly and Hampton, with 6 violations including 1 high priority on a callback from last week’s 12 violations.

Our spreadsheet for this week is below.
[gview file=”https://westbocanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/allinsp12-27-15.pdf”]