Local eateries fare well on state inspection

By Dan King

Fifteen food service businesses in Whitehall were among those inspected by the state Department of Health over the course of last year and early this year, and the information released last week shows that, for the most part, the local establishments did well.

The data, based on a one-day unannounced inspection by the department, includes a listing of critical violations and noncritical violations observed by the inspector during the visit.

Critical violations are those the department determines must be handled immediately by the restaurant, while noncritical violations must be fixed within a discretionary timeframe set by the inspector.

Two of the 15 businesses did not receive a single critical or noncritical violation during the visit. None of the violations found warranted any of the local businesses being fined or closed.

Here is how the Whitehall food service businesses fared on their reviews:

American Legion Post 83 was cited for one critical violation and five noncritical violations. The critical violation was that an unapproved canned good was found on the shelves, and the issue was immediately resolved. The noncritical violations included such things as ventilation issues.

Big Apple Diner had zero critical and five noncritical violations. The noncritical violations included such things as nonfood contact surfaces not being properly cleaned and inadequate thermometers.

Briggs and Co. Barbeque and Steakhouse received one critical violation and 20 noncritical violations. The critical violation, which was immediately resolved, was that toxic chemicals were labeled incorrectly or used incorrectly. Noncritical violations included ventilation issues, and ceiling and walls being in disrepair.

Historic Grounds was cited for 12 critical violations and two noncritical violations. All of Historic Grounds’ critical violations, which were fixed, revolved around storage temperatures of food or the potential cross contamination of precooked food and raw food. The noncritical issues also dealt with how food was stored.

Lucia’s was assessed four critical violations and 16 noncritical violations. Much like Historic Grounds, Lucia’s violations were regarding the temperature of foods. The noncritical violations were predominately regarding proper signage, such as choking signs and hand washing signs.

McDonald’s didn’t receive any critical violations and received four noncritical, which included improperly functioning sewage disposal and dirty floors.

New China Wok was dinged with three critical and four noncritical violations. The critical violations, which were all fixed during the visit, dealt with food storage temperatures. The noncritical issues dealt with the hand washing sink and proper signage.

New York House of Pizza received no critical violations but was cited for 20 noncritical violations, including issues with the building’s plumbing and dirtiness of both contact and noncontact surfaces.

Rathbun’s Maple Sugar House had 10 critical violations and 12 noncritical violations. The critical violations were primarily regarding the temperatures of food and the contact of food to bare hands; all of the critical issues were remedied. Noncritical issues included toilet disrepair and dirtiness of noncontact surfaces.

Skene Valley Country Club was not cited for any critical nor noncritical violations.

Subway received one noncritical violation for noncontact surfaces being dirty.

Valley View Golf Course also received a single noncritical violation for noncontact surfaces bring dirty.

WCNPE American Legion Post 83 didn’t receive any critical violations and had five noncritical, regarding floors, ventilation and lighting.

Whitehall Elementary School’s cafeteria had no critical violations but five noncritical ones, which pertained to issues with general maintenance and upkeep of facilities.

Lastly, Whitehall Junior/Senior High School was not cited for a single critical nor noncritical violation.

A more detailed list of violations can be found at the Department of Health’s website, www.health.data.gov.ny.