Latest Health Department Inspection reports

Some local establishments need to do some cleaning. Badly.

By Will Collette

This is the third installment of Progressive Charlestown’s periodic reports on the cleanliness of some of our favorite local eating establishment. 

In this installment, I’ll cover reports done by Health Department inspectors since my last article in mid-July.

You’ll find nearly all of the other local eating places covered in my earlier articles (click here and here), or you can check for yourself on the RI Department of Health’s website (click here).

This article notes recent inspections at eight local establishments – the Charlestown Rathskeller, the Hitching Post, Johnny Angels Clam Shack, the Matunuck Oyster Bar, Nordic Lodge, Wilcox Tavern, the Willows and Meadow Brook Inn.

Two passed with no violations: The Willows and the Nordic Lodge. The Matunuck Oyster Bar had only one minor violation (missing chlorine test strips). The Old Wilcox Tavern drew four violations at its July 26 inspection, but cleaned up its act by the time of their follow-up inspection on September 5, where they had no violations.

Rathskeller got jammed up on violations before they even
opened

The Charlestown Rathskeller had not yet opened in its practically brand new building when it was inspected on September 5. It drew three sanitation related violations. Apparently, the Charlestown Land Trust fund-raiser on August 17 (for which the Town Council gave them special permission) was a messy affair. 

Frying probably kills all the germs. I hope.

The fry cutter for the Rathskeller’s historically great French fries “had an accumulation of food and debris.” And in the potato room, lights lacked shatterproof covering. Not a great way to start out particularly with problems that affect their signature dish.

The Hitching Post, now closed for the season, got whacked at its August 30 inspection with nine food safety and sanitation violations. Maybe they were distracted by the sad death of founder Jerry Duhamel, but they’ll need to clean up and tighten up before they reopen next May.

Johnny Angels Clam Shack was cited for seven violations after their July 26 inspection, all for sanitation and food safety issues.

The dubious distinction for having the worst recent Health Department inspection goes to the Meadow Brook Inn. They were cited for 12 violations at their September 5 inspection. 

Yeah, coffee black is probably a good idea at the Meadow Brook

While some of the dozen infractions were minor, others are cringe-worthy, such as accumulated crud on the can opener and deli slicer. 

If you have coffee at the Meadow Brook, you may want to have it black since inspectors found the cream was stored at 62 degrees.

Because this latest crop of inspections is of a manageable size, I have cut-and-pasted the inspection summaries in full, rather than set up a separate linked document.

If you don’t see a particular establishment, that probably means they have not had a Health Department inspection since July. Check their record on the Health Department’s website.

From the RI Department of Health website:

CHARLESTOWN RATHSKELLER TAVERN 489 A OLD COACH RD CHARLESTOWN, RI 02813 Facility Type: Seats - 50 or More Facility Status: Pending Inspection Date: 09/05/2013
# Violation 14 Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized Inspector Comments The fry cutter had an accumulation of food and debris. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch. 23 Consumer advisory posted for raw or undercooked foods Inspector Comments The consumer advisory provided does not disclose the foods on the menu that are raw or undercooked. 54 Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used Inspector Comments Protective shielding is not provided for the lights in the potato room. Light bulbs must be shielded, coated, or otherwise shatter-resistant in areas where there is exposed food; clean equipment, utensils, and linens; or unwrapped single-service and single-use articles.
HITCHING POST INC  5402 POST ROAD CHARLESTOWN, RI 028131738 Facility Type: Seats - Less than 50 Facility Status: Active Inspection Date: 08/30/2013  # Violation 4 Proper eating, tasting, drinking or tobacco use Inspector Comments An open employee's beverage container was observed in a food preparation area. Employees shall not drink from open beverage containers in order to prevent contamination of their hands, the container and exposed food. 13 Food separated & protected Inspector Comments Several raw animal foods were stored above ready-to-eat foods in the refrigerator such as raw meat and shell fish over various vegetable and RTE foods. Raw animal foods must be separated from raw ready-to-eat food such as vegetables during storage. 17 Proper reheating procedures for hot holding Inspector Comments Hot Dogs were only heated to 107 degrees F before being placed on the grill for hot holding. Ready to eat foods taken from a commercially processed can or intact package from a food processing plant must be heated to at least 135 degrees F for hot holding. Hot dogs were cooked properly and then retuned to the grill for hot holding. 20 Proper cold holding temperatures Inspector Comments Raw seafood and meats was held at 45-50 degrees. Potentially hazardous food must be held at 41 degrees F. or below except during preparation, cooking or cooling. All items were recently defrosted and put in unit which has just been turned on. Unit ambient temp was 50 degrees so all items were moved to working refrigerator until unit reaches 41* or below. 26 Toxic substances properly identified, stored & used Inspector Comments Employees medicines were not stored to prevent the contamination of food, equipment or utensils. 33 Approved thawing methods used Inspector Comments Fish and shellfish was observed thawing on the counter and in standing water. Potentially hazardous foods must be thawed in one of the following ways: under refrigeration (41 degrees F or less), completely submerged under running water, as part of the cooking process, or in the microwave if cooked immediately after thawing. 37 Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display Inspector Comments Facility is lacking food prep sink. During inspection food prep was being conducted in multiple bins of the 3 bay sink. 45 Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used Inspector Comments The lid to the ice cream freezer located in the service area was not in good repair. 46 Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips Inspector Comments Concentration of the chlorine sanitizer was over 200ppm. Chlorine sanitizer concentration should be between 50-100ppm JOHNNY ANGELS CLAM SHACK  523 CHARLESTOWN BEACH RD CHARLESTOWN, RI 02813 Facility Type: Seats - Less than 50 Facility Status: Active Inspection Date: 07/26/2013
# Violation 8 Adequate handwashing facilities supplied and accessible Inspector Comments Soap was not available at the handsink in the kitchen. Hand sinks must be provided with a supply of hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap. 34 Thermometers provided & accurate Inspector Comments Thermometers are lacking in the refrigeration unit(s). Cold holding equipment used for potentially hazardous food must have at least one thermometer that is located to allow easy viewing of the temperature display. 36 Insects, rodents & animals not present; no unauthorized persons Inspector Comments Screen door to the outside is in poor repair. Outer openings of a food establishment must be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by tight-fitting doors. 45 Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used Inspector Comments Three bay sink located in the kitchen area was not in good repair. Leak in sanitizing bin. 50 Sewage & waste water properly disposed Inspector Comments The cooling water from the Dels machine is draining into a hose which goes out under the deck. Condensate drainage and other nonsewage liquids must drain into a drain. 53 Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean Inspector Comments There is clutter and equipment not related to the food service stored in and around the facility. 54 Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used Inspector Comments Protective shielding is not provided for the lights in the in the kitchen and food prep areas. Light bulbs must be shielded, coated, or otherwise shatter-resistant in areas where there is exposed food; clean equipment, utensils, and linens; or unwrapped single-service and single-use articles.
MEADOW BROOK INN  168 CAROLINA BACK ROAD CHARLESTOWN, RI 02813 Facility Type: Caterer or Commissary Facility Status: Active Inspection Date: 09/05/2013  # Violation 8 Adequate handwashing facilities supplied and accessible Inspector Comments Soap was not available at the handsink at the bar. Hand sinks must be provided with a supply of hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap. 8 Adequate handwashing facilities supplied and accessible Inspector Comments The handsink at the bar was lacking paper towels. 13 Food separated & protected Inspector Comments Several raw animal foods were stored above ready-to-eat foods in the walk-in refrigerator such as raw chicken over stuffed shrimp and raw beef. 14 Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized Inspector Comments The can opener and deli slicer had an accumulation of food and debris. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch. 20 Proper cold holding temperatures Inspector Comments Cream was held at 62 degrees. Potentially hazardous food must be held at 41 degrees F. or below except during preparation, cooking or cooling. Unit was cleaned over night and just turned on. Cream was moved back to walk-in until unit is at 41 degrees or below. 21 Proper date marking & disposition Inspector Comments Prepared foods located in the refrigerator, were not marked with the date of preparation. Ready-to-eat potentially hazardous food , prepared in the establishment and held for more than 24 hours, must be marked with the date of preparation. 34 Thermometers provided & accurate Inspector Comments Thermometers are lacking in the refrigeration unit. Cold holding equipment used for potentially hazardous food must have at least one thermometer that is located to allow easy viewing of the temperature display. 36 Insects, rodents & animals not present; no unauthorized persons Inspector Comments The door to the outside, located in the rear of the kitchen, is not tight-fitting. Outer openings of a food establishment must be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by tight-fitting doors. 37 Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display Inspector Comments Splash guard is required between handsink in kitchen and food prep sink to prevent contamination. 45 Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used Inspector Comments Dish machine is leaking into pan and in poor repair. 45 Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used Inspector Comments Beverage tubing is in contact with ice used for drinks at the bar. Beverage tubing and cold plate beverage cooling devices must not be installed in contact with stored ice. 47 Non-food contact surfaces clean Inspector Comments The nonfood-contact surfaces of the metal storage racks, ice machine, tubing and beverage holders have an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue and other debris. NORDIC LODGE 178 EAST PASQUISSET TRAIL CHARLESTOWN, RI 02813 Facility Type: Seats - 50 or More Facility Status: Active Inspection Date: 08/30/2013
No violations were marked out on this inspection.
OLD WILCOX TAVERN INC  5153 OLD POST ROAD CHARLESTOWN, RI 02813 Facility Type: Seats - 50 or More Facility Status: Active Inspection Date: 09/05/2013
No violations were marked out on this inspection.
OLD WILCOX TAVERN INC  5153 OLD POST ROAD CHARLESTOWN, RI 02813 Facility Type: Seats - 50 or More Facility Status: Active Inspection Date: 07/26/2013
# Violation 1 Certified manager as required; compliance with Code or correct responses. Inspector Comments The establishment does not employ a full-time, on site manager certified in food safety. Each food establishment where potentially hazardous foods are prepared shall employ at least one (1) full-time , onsite manager certified in food safety who is at least eighteen (18) years of age. 20 Proper cold holding temperatures Inspector Comments Various prepared and processed foods were held at between 46-51 degrees. Potentially hazardous food must be held at 41 degrees F. or below except during preparation, cooking or cooling. Each item from unit was evaluated. Some food moved to working units. Disposal completed. 21 Proper date marking & disposition Inspector Comments Some foods were prepared date marked exceeding 7 days. Disposal completed. 45 Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used Inspector Comments Beverage tubing was observed in contact with ice used for drinks at the bar. Beverage tubing and cold plate beverage cooling devices must not be installed in contact with stored ice.
WILLOWS MOTOR LODGE  ROUTE 1 CHARLESTOWN, RI 02813 Facility Type: Seats - 50 or More Facility Status: Active Inspection Date: 09/05/2013
No violations were marked out on this inspection.
MATUNUCK OYSTER BAR 629 SUCCOTASH RD SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI 02879 Facility Type: Caterer or Commissary Facility Status: Active Inspection Date: 08/02/2013
# Violation 46 Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips  Inspector Comments  Facility lacking Cl test strips to test the Cl sanitizer used. Test strips must be brought from facility. Sanitizer solution - OK