Massapequa Restaurants Cited: Park Bagel, Phil's Pizza II, More

MASSAPEQUA, NY — Do you know how clean your favorite restaurant is?

The New York State Health Department performs routine inspections of all food service facilities in the state. Several types of inspections are done — including comprehensive inspections that evaluate the sanitation, maintenance, and food service operations of a facility; and follow-up inspections for a facility that has been cited for critical and non-critical violations. More information about different types of violations can be found at the bottom of this article.

State inspectors check kitchens everywhere: in churches, schools, golf clubs and more. They also monitor the cleanliness of snack bars, kiosks inside entertainment venues, bakeries and bars.
All information comes from the health department's database. You can see the most recent inspections by clicking here.

These inspections were conducted between Nov. 8 and Nov. 16, 2021.

Stuff-A-Bagel, 912 Carmans Road, Massapequa

• Last Inspected: Nov. 8, 2021
• Violations:
  • 0 Critical
  • 5 Noncritical
    • Improper use and storage of clean, sanitized equipment and utensils
    • Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions
    • Plumbing and sinks not properly sized, installed, maintained; equipment and floors not properly drained
    • Toilet facilities inadequate, inconvenient, dirty, in disrepair, toilet paper missing, not self-closing doors, missing hand wash signs
    • Handwashing facilities inaccessible, improperly located, dirty, in disrepair, improper fixtures, soap, and single service towels or hand drying devices missing.

Ephesus Mediterranean Cuisine, 514 Park Blvd., Massapequa Park

• Last Inspected: Nov. 8, 2021
• Violations:
  • 0 Critical
  • 10 Noncritical
    • Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
    • Hot, cold running water not provided, pressure inadequate
    • Handwashing facilities inaccessible, improperly located, dirty, in disrepair, improper fixtures, soap, and single service towels or hand drying devices missing
    • Insects, rodents present
    • Pesticide application not supervised by a certified applicator
    • Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces.

Park Bagel, 1043 Park Blvd., Massapequa Park

• Last Inspected: Nov. 8, 2021
• Violations:
  • 1 Critical
    • Accurate thermometers not available or used to evaluate potentially hazardous food temperatures during cooking, cooling, reheating and holding
  • 4 Noncritical
    • Accurate thermometers not available or used to evaluate refrigerated or heated storage temperatures
    • Handwashing facilities inaccessible, improperly located, dirty, in disrepair, improper fixtures, soap, and single service towels or hand drying devices missing
    • Insects, rodents present
    • Effective measures not used to control entrance (rodent-, insect-proof construction). Harborage areas available for rodents, insects and other vermin

Phil's Pizza II, 5280 Sunrise Highway, Massapequa Park

• Last Inspected: Nov. 9, 2021
• Violations:
  • 1 Critical
    • Cooked or prepared foods are subject to cross-contamination from raw foods
  • 5 Noncritical
    • Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
    • Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
    • Manual facilities inadequate, technique incorrect; mechanical facilities not operated in accordance with manufacturer's instructions
    • Non food contact surfaces of equipment not clean
    • Plumbing and sinks not properly sized, installed, maintained; equipment and floors not properly drained

Asian Moon, 4922 Merrick Road, Massapequa Park

• Last Inspected: Nov. 12, 2021
• Violations:
  • 0 Critical
  • 5 Noncritical
    • Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
    • Handwashing facilities inaccessible, improperly located, dirty, in disrepair, improper fixtures, soap, and single service towels or hand drying devices missing
    • Pesticide application not supervised by a certified applicator
    • Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surface

Per New York State Department of Health:

Red "critical" violations relate directly to factors that could lead to food-borne illness. These violations generally involve the food source and condition, food cooking and storage temperatures, sanitary practices of food workers, water and sewage, pest contamination of food, and the use of toxic materials.

Blue "non-critical" violations do not directly cause food-borne illness but could negatively affect the operation of the restaurant. They relate to the design and maintenance of the establishment as well as cleanliness.

Editor's note: These citations are taken from the state Department of Health's database. Citations listed in this article may have been resolved by the time of publication, despite there being no amendments made on the department's website.