Local
restaurants caught with health violations
By Suzanne Theodory
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
Many college students develop the habit of grabbing a quick bite while they go
about their busy lives. Recently, the City of Long Beach Bureau of Environmental
Health reviewed five restaurants surrounding Cal State Long Beach. Health inspection
reports for the last year were examined to find the cleanest and dirtiest local
eateries.
According to the Long Beach public health Web site, the Food Inspection Program
has a target frequency of three routine inspections per year for all food facilities.
During these routine inspections, inspectors stress the prevention of food-borne
illness, and educate food facility operators on proper food handling techniques.
They emphasize food temperature control, proper sanitation, employee practices
and education of the operator.
The site also stated more than 50 Long Beach restaurants were closed during the
last calendar year for non-compliance with health and safety code regulations.
Restaurants are inspected and scored according to code regulations. It is then
the responsibility for the owners and manager to make changes and improve the
quality of their restaurants.
According to the Bureau of Environmental Health, within the last year China Star
Express, located at the corner of Palo Verde Avenue and Atherton Street, has
had over 10 violations. Some of the violations were given 24 hours to fix or
else the facility would have been closed. Records show the violations included
the hot water for sanitation was 10 degrees too cold, chicken in the refrigerator
was stacked on top of other types of meat, and there were several uncovered food
items in the refrigerator. The restaurant was also advised to clean the accumulated
grains of rice in the storage room to prevent future rodent and mice infestation.
Inspection reports show these violations were corrected within the year.
The Shore House Café, a 24-hour restaurant, also did poorly in the examination.
The inspection results from the health department start with complaints about
equipment and facility cleaning and go as far as sick customers. The City of
Long Beach Health and Human Service’s inspection reports show Shore House
was inspected at least seven times within the last year, as to the average of
three visits a year per restaurant.
The Health Department received a complaint regarding a customer becoming sick
after eating a turkey, ham and roast-beef sandwich. The sanitizer level in the
dishwasher measured too low, the coolers weren’t cold enough, and the restaurant
was advised to replace or sanitize all the cutting boards because they appeared
to have knife grooves in them. It is documented the manager denied any sick employees,
equipment breakdown, sewage break-ups and shortage of help on the official inspection
report from Nov. 8. The meat sliver was also taken apart and sanitized.
“
I’m disgusted. My friends and I love the Shore House. We always hear
rumors about people getting sick there, but now it’s fact,” psychology
major Christina Melek said.
The Deli News, an Italian restaurant on Stearns Street, got high ratings. Its
food is not only inexpensive, but health inspection records show it is very sanitary.
However, it was cited for minor violations, such as facility maintenance, water
temperature and sanitation of wiping rags. These violations were quickly corrected
and on the next two inspections. No corrective action was required.
According to Racha D-Angelo, the owner of Deli News, people from the health department
regularly eat at her restaurant.
“ The fact that they come in has to mean something good,” she said. “Me
and my husband run this place 14 hours a day so we are able to stay on top of
things.”
D-Angelo said it is good the health department does so many inspections because
there are a lot of restaurants where the owners are not always present and the
places become unsanitary and unsafe.
Pizzamania, located in the same center as China Star Express, had four violations,
according to records retrieved from the City of Long Beach Department of Health
and Human Services. Inspectors demanded it clean all ceiling fans, repair its
table top cooler, provide a scoop for the ice machine and keep the soap dispensers
full. These violations were taken care of immediately.
Records show Hector’s Place on Ximeno Avenue had several notices for equipment
maintenance and cleaning. The Department of Health and Human Services in Long
Beach responded to a complaint regarding cooking of bacon on a table top griddle
with no hood. The complaint was justified and the manager was advised to remove
two grills. Inspectors were also unable to find test strips that are supposed
to be used by employees who do the utensil clean-ups. Hector’s quickly
corrected its violations and had none when the next inspection was performed.
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