2 Rockville Eateries Cited For Critical Violations: Inspection Report

ROCKVILLE, MD —Inspectors with the Montgomery County Health and Human Services Department recently cited two Rockville restaurants for critical violations of the health code..

Violations, both critical and non-critical, included failing to keep food at the proper temperatures, sanitizing a can opener, and storing ready-to-eat food close to raw shrimp and chicken.

All Montgomery County licensed retail food establishments are inspected by the Licensure & Regulatory Services Program. Regular comprehensive inspections include evaluating an establishment's sanitation, maintenance and food service operations. These inspections include monitoring critical temperatures and food handling procedures.

Both of the restaurants that inspectors visited on Sept. 19 and Sept. 21 were cited for critical violations of food safety requirements.

"A Critical Violation means a food safety requirement that requires immediate correction," according to the health and human services website. "Failure for immediate correction results in cessation of some or all food operations or closure of the facility until violation is able to be corrected."

Pizza & Deli Three Amigos

During an Oct. 4 inspection, a Health and Human Services inspector found one critical violation at Pizza & Deli Three Amigos located at 410 Lincoln St. in Rockville. The restaurant did not maintain the correct temperature of 135F and above for hot holding food.

"Potentially hazardous food item observed hot holding at temperature below 135F," the inspector wrote in their report. "Properly hot hold at 135F or above."

The inspector noted in their report that the restaurant corrected this issue.

The inspector reported seven non-critical violations, two of which were remedied:

• "Staff trained in food allergen safety is not on site at the start of the inspection.— Must be present during all hours of operation.
• "Can opener soiled. - Clean and sanitize."

The following observations still needed to be corrected, according to the inspector's report:

• "Gap observed at the bottom of the back door. — SEAL 2. Suspected fruit flies observed throughout the kitchen. 3. Insect light located above food prep area. — Relocate
• "Debris observed under countertop equipment. — Clean
• "Self closing device missing on the rest-room door. — Provide.
• "Light observed out under the hood. — Repair
• "Non commercial refrigeration unit observed."

Rich's Cafe

Rich's Cafe, located at 1 Church St. in Rockville was cited for a critical violation during an Oct. 3 inspection, according to an HHS inspection report. Cheese slices in the sandwich prep table top were found to be above 41 degrees F.

The inspector noted the following good retail practices that the restaurant needed to correct within 30 days:

• Ready-to-eat ham slice observed warming on the griddle while cooking raw steaks on the same griddle. The two different foods placed very close to each other.
• Ready to eat breads observed stored together with raw chicken and shrimp in the white freezer. (Corrected on site)
• Single serving bowls observed being reused.

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