2 Springfield restaurants cited over hand hygiene

FOOD INSPECTIONS

An employee at a Springfield fast food restaurant began to prepare a sandwich without washing their hands after touching garbage and, at another restaurant, an employee handled raw hamburger and then touched sliced tomato and onion without washing their hands or changing gloves, according to this week’s food inspection reports from the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.

At Braum’s Ice Cream No. 273, 1401 W. Sunshine St., an employee pushed trash down in a trash can, took off their gloves, put on a new pair, according to the Feb. 27 report, and then began to make a breakfast sandwich. The SGCHD inspector provided education and the violation was corrected by having the employee discard gloves and the sandwich, wash their hands, and then don new gloves before returning to work.

Braum’s wasn’t the only restaurant struggling with proper hand hygiene: At Civil Kitchen, 107 Park Central Square, a cook handled raw burger patties and then handled tomato slices and onion slices, according to the Feb. 21 report. The violation was corrected by having the cook remove their gloves, wash their hands and put on new gloves.

According to the USDA, people should wash their hands before beginning food preparation and after handling items like raw meat, eggs or seafood, and before putting on clean gloves to prevent germs spreading to gloves.

Also, Sam’s Southern Eatery at 1631 N. Glenstone Ave. passed the first of its three compliance checks, according to the Feb. 26 report. The next compliance check will be the week of March 4. The restaurant was put on a risk control plan after repeated pest control and cleaning violations.

Food inspections take place one to three times a year, depending on the type of food served, the population served, difficulty of food preparation and past history. Restaurants preparing food from raw ingredients are inspected more often “than convenience stores that serve only non-potentially hazardous foods, such as popcorn and soda,” according to the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.

Each report identifies what was happening at the establishment at that time. Consumers who want to know whether a violation is a one-time thing or a pattern are encouraged to refer to previous reports.

Issues found during inspection fall into either priority or non-priority violations. Priority violations impact the safety of the food, such as cross contamination between raw and ready-toeat food, improper food temperature and poor personal hygiene and employee health. Multiple priority violations can lead to an establishment being shut down. Non-priority violations alone do not directly affect food safety, such as dirty floors, sticky tabletops or outside trash cans not being covered.

Here are food inspections from the past week:

Andy’s Frozen Custard Inc., 3147 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. Feb. 23 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations observed during inspection.

Arby’s Roast Beef Restaurant, 735 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. Feb. 23 re-inspection – Result: active. Priority item corrected. No mice droppings found and pest control company treated for mice. No violations noted.

Arby’s Roast Beef Restaurant, 230 S. West Bypass, Springfield. Feb. 28 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: Observed sanitizer test strips expired; observed employee with nail extensions working in kitchen and moving food from walk-in to cooler.

Architect Coffee Company, 1604 E. Republic Road, Springfield. Feb. 27 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Ash Grove Eagle Stop, 707 E. Boone St., Ash Grove. Feb. 21 routine inspection – Result: active. Discussed adding use-by date to items after removing from freezer. They are portioning items from larger packages and freezing smaller containers to minimize waste. Two priority violations: Observed selfservice lettuce and tomatoes that were 58 degrees Fahrenheit, which was corrected by discarding food; observed windshield washing fluid above beverages in closet area, which was corrected by person in charge prior to exit. Three non-priority violations: Observed drain under deli hand sink and drain under soda dispenser both leaking; observed floor in back room behind soda dispenser was not clean; observed boxes of chips on the floor in closet area, which was corrected by moving off of floor.

Battlefield Eagle Stop, 820 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. Feb. 27 routine inspection – Result: permitted with reinspection. No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: Observed no hot water at restroom sinks; observed no test strips available for quat sanitizer.

Big Whiskey’s American Bar & Grill, 1550 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. Feb. 27 routine inspection – Result: active. Two priority violations: Observed employee eating in food preparation area, which was corrected by removing food and educating employee; observed knives being stored unclean on magnetic strip holder in kitchen, which was corrected by cleaning knives at time of inspection. No non-priority violations.

Braum’s Ice Cream No. 273, 1401 W. Sunshine St., Springfield. Feb. 27 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed employee push down trash in trash can, remove old gloves and then don new gloves. Employee then started to make English muffin sandwich. Violation corrected by having employee discard gloves and English muffin before washing hands and donning new gloves. Two non-priority violations: Observed hand-wash sink blocked by two buckets, which was corrected on site by moving buckets and providing paper towels to hand sink; observed several items measuring above 41 degrees without being marked with discard time, which was corrected by voluntarily discarding items and education.

Captain D’s, 2604 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. Feb. 21 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed physical facility not kept clean, floors and ceiling on cook line.

Casa Bella II, 300 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. Feb. 21 routine inspection – Result: Permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Observed raw chicken and raw beef in low-boy cooler stored over onion and peppers, corrected by moving vegetables to top drawer. Two non-priority items: Observed no thin probe thermometer for cook’s use; observed no hot water in men’s or women’s bathrooms, but hot water available at all hand sinks and food prep sinks in kitchen.

Casey’s General Store No. 2251, 949 S. Grant Ave., Springfield. Feb. 28 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Casey’s General Store No. 2679, 3120 W. Republic Road, Springfield. Feb. 23 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Observed chemicals stored next to single-serve items on retail shelves. No non-priority violations.

Cash Saver Grocery and Produce, 2650 W. Kearney St., Springfield. Feb. 28 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: Observed excessive buildup of ice on floor inside walk-in freezer; observed an area of the wall-ceiling juncture with a 3-inch-by-18-inch hole near overhead door.

Cash Saver Meat Shop, 2650 W. Kearney St., Springfield. Feb. 28 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: Observed packages of raw chicken and ground turkey stored over ground beef and ham steaks, which was corrected by relocating the poultry products; observed few areas of coving in meat shop that were loose and the caulking around the three-vat sink is in poor repair.

Cellar & Plate, 2916 S. Lone Pine Ave., Springfield. Feb. 22 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed ground lamb meat stored in walk-in over cheese, which was corrected by providing education and moving ground lamb. No non-priority violations.

Cherry Picker Package & Fare, 601 S. Pickwick Ave., Springfield. Feb. 27 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: Observed establishment does not have thermometers to verify food temperatures; observed door in bathroom not self-closing.

Chicago Cheesesteak Company, 303 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. Feb. 26 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Two priority violations: Observed potentially hazardous foods in large prep cooler not being held at or below 41 degrees — cut tomatoes at 46 degrees, mayo at 45 degrees, lettuce at 46 degrees, raw bacon at 43 degrees — which was corrected by putting items on time control; observed meat sliver not stored clean to sight and touch, which was corrected by taking the slicer apart and putting it in the three-vat sink. One non-priority violation: Observed women’s restroom door not self-closing.

Chick-Fil-A Battlefield Mall, 2825 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. Feb. 23 suspended permit re-inspection – Result: approved. Approved to open for business. No violations noted.

Civil Kitchen & Tap, 107 Park Central Square, Springfield. Feb. 21 routine inspection – Result: active. Two priority violations: Observed cook using same pair of gloves to handle raw burger patties and handle tomato slice and onion slices, which was corrected with education and having cook remove gloves, wash hands and don new gloves; observed three cans in dry storage had dents/damage, which was corrected by voluntarily discarding product. Two non-priority violations: Observed mashed potatoes cooling in plastic container with lid on in walk-in cooler, which was corrected by pulling product and placing it in an ice bath with the lid removed; observed hand-washing sink at second downstairs bar being used as dump sink for drinks, spoke with general manager about having a plastic tub or container at bar for dumping glassware.

Colton’s Steakhouse, 2020 E. Independence St., Springfield. Feb. 26 routine inspection – Result: active. Two priority violations: Observed sour cream at 68 degrees and butter at 57 degrees on the make line, which was corrected by discarding items; observed rice at 114 degrees and mac and cheese at 110 degrees, which was corrected by reheating items to 165 degrees and then keeping them at 135 degrees. One nonpriority violation: Observed open energy drink can and employee drink cup without a straw in food prep area, which was corrected by removing the drinks.

CoxHealth South, 3801 S. National Ave., Springfield. Feb. 22 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed raw salmon stored over vegetables in two door reach-in cooler in lower kitchen level, which was corrected by voluntarily discarding vegetables and moving salmon to walk-in cooler.

Dollar General Store No. 9127, 3912 W. Republic Road, Springfield. Feb. 26 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Observed chemicals stored above and beside paper plates and other single-serve food items on clearance shelf. No non-priority violations.

Domino’s Pizza, 2565 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. Feb. 23 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Edible Arrangements, 1336 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. Feb. 21 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed no soap at handwashing sink in food prep area, which was corrected at time of inspection.

Einstein Brothers Bagels No. 3622, 4430 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. Feb. 21 re-inspection – Result: active. Priority item corrected, prep cooler now holding items below 41 degrees as required. No violations noted.

El Puente Mexican Restaurant, 1111 E. Republic Road, Springfield. Feb. 23 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed fried peppers pulled from freezer with original made frozen date, which was corrected by putting a use-by date. One non-priority violation: Observed cutting board on prep cooler No. 2 is scored and small green vegetable cutting board is scored.

Fazoli’s No. 5077, 2137 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. Feb. 23 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed noodles in noodles cold holder temped between 44 degrees and 48 degrees, which was corrected by discarding food. One non-priority violation: Observed hot water in customer restrooms measured 86 degrees when hot water must meet or exceed 100 degrees.

Firehouse Subs No. 1521, 3309 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. Feb. 23 re-inspection – Result: active. No violations observed.

Flat Creek Bar & Grill, 772 E. U.S. Highway 60 East, Republic. Feb. 21 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Discussed needing consumer advisory for selling drinks with raw egg, requirement for ice cream scoop to be stored in running water and for mixing bowl for mac and cheese to be properly stored in hot water. Three priority violations: Observed cheese sauce at 126 degrees, which was corrected by discarding food; observed fish was at 45 degrees in prep cooler, which was corrected by discarding food; observed employee eating food in food prep area, which was corrected at time of inspection. One non-priority violation: Observed bulk corn starch not labeled.

Gerry Pool Republic Senior Friendship Center, 210 E. Hines St., Republic. Feb. 22 routine inspection – Result: active. Discussed handwashing requirements for dish washer. No violations noted.

Gloria Deo Academy, 3146 S. Golden Ave., Springfield. Feb. 21 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Go Burrito, 2100 W. Republic Road, Springfield. Feb. 23 routine re-inspection – Result: active. Priority item corrected, proper level of sanitizer in threevat sink.

Godfather’s Pizza, 1832 S. OId Ingram Mill Road, Springfield. Feb. 21 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited at time of inspection.

Harbell’s Grill & Sports Bar, 315 Park Central West, Springfield. Feb. 27 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed meat slicer has food debris on back of blade and on part that holds product in place and onion dicer has dried food on blade part, which was corrected on site by cleaning items. One non-priority violations: Observed pans have old day sticker residue on exteriors.

Hillcrest High School Cafeteria, 3319 N. Grant Ave., Springfield. Feb. 22 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Hinode Japanese Steakhouse, 4301 S. National Ave., Springfield. Feb. 27 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Observed quat solution at 100 parts per million for sushi station wiping cloth bucket, which was corrected by making solution at 200 ppm. Three non-priority violation: Observed parasite destruction letter not available onsite for sushi fish, which is required; observed no chlorine test strips for dish machine chlorine solution; observed wiping cloth in kitchen stored in water without sanitizer solution, which was corrected by using auto-dispense quat solution at 200 ppm.

Hometown Bakery Cafe LLC. Feb. 21 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: Observed ice scoop on top of ice machine; observed employees with open drink glasses in food preparation area, which was corrected prior to exit.

Huey Magoo’s, 3352 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. Feb. 27 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed grilled chicken in the walk-in cooling in a covered pan, which was corrected by venting lid and education given on cooling procedure.

Hy-Vee Deli Kitchen/Club Room, 1720 W. Battlefield Road, Springfield. Feb. 26 routine inspection – Result: active. Two priority violations: 1. Observed fried chicken, chicken strips and various meatball dishes ranging from 119 degrees to 132 degrees in hot case, which is a repeat violation. A time control policy will be put into effect and discussed with the staff. Time out and time to discard will be included. Violation was corrected on site by voluntarily discarding chicken and reheating meatball dishes to over 165 degrees. 2. Observed raw chicken on speed rack over cooked and cooling whole chickens, which was corrected on site by moving raw chicken below cooked and cooling items. Three non-priority violations: Observed cutting boards on slicer tables are scored; observed metered hand sink in dish room is not working, manager agrees to change batter and contact plumber if issue persists; observed vent hood filters over grill area have heavy build-up of grease.

Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh, 2130 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. Feb. 22 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed outdated medicine stocked on shelf, which was corrected by pulling medicine from shelf. One non-priority violation: Observed quesadilla chicken cooked today cooling in container with lid snapped shut, corrected by leaving lid ajar so chicken can cool properly.

IHOP No. 5339, 3804 S. Glenstone Outer Road, Springfield. Feb. 23 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed raw bacon being stored in make table at 45 degrees, which was corrected by relocating bacon. No non-priority violations.

It’s Greek to Me, 2825 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. Feb. 23 re-inspection – Result: active.

Jersey Mike’s Subs, 1008 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. Feb. 26 routine