Restaurant inspections: Drain flies, greasy vents found in Taylor
Drain flies and greasy vents are only some of the violations found in Taylor between January and April, according to Wayne County Health Department inspection reports.
Many of the violations have been corrected. The presence of violations in a past inspection does not necessarily mean the establishment has the same violations today.
Inspection reports can be found at swordsolutions.com/inspections.
Below is a list of violations found at some restaurants in Taylor.
Tubby's, 10005 Telegraph Rd.
During a routine inspection on February 12, an inspector noted several problems at Tubby's.
— Observed a bottle of paint thinner and a container of insect fogger specified for residential use only on the chemical rack. Chemicals must be approved for use in commercial businesses. Corrected, person in charge voluntarily disposed of chemicals.
— Observed the discharge pipe from the ice well at the soda machine below the level of the floor drain. Ice wells and machines must have an air gap between discharge pipe and floor drain to prevent backflow. Repair/replace drain pipe.
— Person in charge stated that soda nozzles are cleaned every other night by soaking in water, then dried and placed back into the machine. Food contact surfaces must be sanitized before use after cleaning. Correct by implementing sanitizing procedures for food contact surfaces.
— Observed two spray bottles of a quat sanitizer solution that were unlabeled. Chemical spray bottles must be labelled with the common name of the contents. Corrected, person in charge labelled the bottles with permanent marker.
— Observed food thermometer without a thin-tip probe, the current thermometer is intended for use with large roasts and must be inserted approximately 2 inches into food to accurately measure temperature. Provide a thin-tipped food thermometer.
— Observed an accumulation of drain flies on the base of the cabinet below soda dispenser. Dead pests must be removed from facility. Clean.
Koja Sushi, 22697 Northline Rd.
During a routine inspection on February 18, an inspector noted several problems at Koja Sushi.
— Observed two containers of spicy bbq sauce in walk-in cooler with a date marking of 2/3/25 listed as the preparation date. Employee stated the sauce is used for 15 days. Employee was informed that all food items that require a date marking must be discarded within 7 days, with day 1 being the date of preparation. Corrected, employee voluntarily discarded the sauce.
— Observed a bottle of Raid insect repellant that was labelled "For Residential Use Only." Insect repellants must be used according to instructions, and therefore must specify they are safe for use in commercial kitchens. Corrected, person in charge voluntarily disposed of unapproved chemical.
— Observed a container of raw chicken being stored above cooked pasta. Raw foods must be stored below and away from ready-to-eat foods in order to prevent cross contamination. Employee was informed of the issue and directed to the informational handout (re: cooler organization) nearby. Corrected.
— Observed hand sink closest to sushi prep area to not have soap. All handwashing sinks must be provided soap. Corrected.
— Observed hand sink closest to sushi prep area to not have paper towel. All hand washing sinks must be provided with sanitary hand drying provisions. Corrected.
— Observed an accumulation of standing water on the floor in the small hallway between the walk-in cooler and side wall. Water leak is limited to a small area behind the dish area and away from food prep areas. Person in charge stated the leak is coming from the ice machine and a maintenance person was there last week for repairs. The leak remains, and the person in charge intends to call another maintenance person.
— Also observed the mop sink in the back storage room to not have a faucet attached. Employee stated the faucet was broken, but the sink is still used to dump dirty mop water. Clean mop water is obtained from the dish area. Repair/replace faucet. Plumbing systems must be maintained in good repair. Standing water may harbor unsafe chemicals, dirt, grime, and encourage pests. Repair necessary plumbing to fix the leak and clean the area.
Big Hungry Burger, 26215 Eureka Rd.
During a routine inspection on January 27, an inspector noted several problems at Big Hungry Burger.
— Observed hand sink closest to cashier station to not be provided with an adequate air gap to prevent backflow. Correct by repairing/replacing drain pipe to allow for an air gap.
— Observed grocery bags in low-boy fridge on cook line and in walk-in cooler storing produce and pita food products. Foods must be stored in food-safe containers to prevent exposure to deleterious substances, and do not impart colors or dyes onto the food. Correct by storing food in food-safe containers.
— Observed in low-boy refrigerator on cook line and in walk-in cooler, raw meat products stored over ready to eat foods. In low-boy refrigerator there was raw burger patties stored over tomatoes and sauces. In walk-in cooler there was raw chicken held over pita, and raw burger patties held over cheese. Correct by storing food products in a manner that prevents contamination.
— A thermometer was not present within the facility at time of inspection. Facility must be supplied with a thin-tipped thermometer that can accurately read the internal temperature of food products. Provide.
— Observed in low-boy refrigerator on cook line and in low-boy refrigerator at cashier station - various sauces (ranch, garlic sauce, thousand island) stored in squeeze-bottles and 2-ounce cups with no dates on the product. In walk-in cooler there were open jugs of mayonnaise, and a container of garlic sauce with no date markings. All time/temperature controlled for safety (TCS) foods held longer than 24-hours must be date-marked for 7 or less days, with day 1 being the date of preparation. Correct by providing adequate date markings.
— Observed juice dispensers next to cashier station with an accumulation of black mold on the interior dispenser. Person in charge stated that the left portion of the machine was not in use, but the right side was. Both sides of the machine must remain clean, whether in-use or not. Food contact surfaces must be cleaned as frequently as necessary to prevent the accumulation of mold and debris. Correct by cleaning and sanitizing machine.
— Observed quat sanitizer tablets in the facility, but a quat test kit was not provided. Provide a quat test kit in the facility.
— Upon entry, there was found to be no paper towel or soap at any hand sink. A test kit for the quat sanitizer was not present in the facility, and there was not a thermometer present in the facility. The Certified Food Manager was not in the building during the inspection, but is still required to maintain the necessary standards within their facility. Correct by supplying staff with the necessary tools and knowledge to safely serve foods.
— Observed all three designated hand sinks without a supply of hand soap. Corrected.
— Observed all three hand sinks within the facility not supplied with sanitary hand drying provisions. Corrected. Observed hand sinks in next to cashier station in next to restroom with an accumulation of grime. Correct by maintaining clean hand sinks.
— Observed drain pipe from hand sink closest to cashier station to be fitted with a flexible drain pipe held to sink drain with duct tape. Plumbing fixtures must be maintained in good repair. Correct by repairing or replacing drain pipe to be in good repair, including an air gap between drain pipe and drain basin.
— Observed floors and walls, especially near cooking equipment (fryers, stoves) to be covered with an accumulation of debris and oil. Correct by maintaining a clean facility.
— Observed several floor tiles throughout the facility to be broken, cracked, or missing. Wooden floor in walk-in cooler was also observed to have missing portion. Floors must remain smooth and easily cleanable. Correct by repairing/replacing broken portions of floors.
Leon’s, 8787 Telegraph Rd.
During a routine inspection on February 10, an inspector noted several problems at Leon’s.
— Observed hand sink on cook line to be used for rinsing culinary utensils. Hand sinks must only be used for handwashing. Corrected.
— Observed soda dispenser nozzles in the server area to be soiled. Food contact surfaces must be maintained clean and sanitized. Corrected.
— Observed vents above stoves on the back of the cook line to have an accumulation of dust. Vents were installed with gaps between them. A sign on the side of the hood system indicated they will be serviced the next day. Correct by cleaning vents and re-installing without gaps.
— Observed an accumulation of dust, dirt, and debris throughout the facility, especially on the floors in in corners of dry storage rooms. Correct by cleaning the facility at a time where the least amount of food and equipment are exposed.
— Observed in walk in cooler a bag of carrots stored on the ground. Food products must be stored at least 6 inches off the ground. Corrected.
— Observed wiping cloths at server station next to kitchen to be stored in a chlorine sanitizer at approximately 200 ppm. Wiping cloths must be stored in a sanitizer concentration in accordance with EPA regulations. Corrected.
Old Taylor Town Coney Island, 20063 Ecorse Rd.
During a routine inspection on January 9, an inspector noted several problems at Old Taylor Town Coney Island.
— Observed meat products in two freezers in the back of the kitchen stored in grocery bags. Foods must be stored in food-safe packaging that will protect it from environmental contamination. Corrected.
— Observed two bottles of WD-40 located above the meat slicer. Person in charge stated that the product is used as a lubricant on the internal mechanisms of the meat slicer. Mechanical lubricants must be certified as food-safe if used within the kitchen equipment. Corrected.
— Observed sliding glass door refrigerator in the back kitchen area with an ambient temperature reading between 42 and 51 degrees (F). Food items were measured as: ham at 48 degrees (F), grits at 51 degrees (F), hash browns at 51 degrees (F). Person in charge claims this cooler is opened often during breakfast hours and is usually appropriately cold. Adjust methods, cooler settings, or repair/replace cooler to hold foods at or below 41 degrees (F).
— Observed opened chocolate milk and portioned salad dressings in the front server cooler without date markings, person in charge claimed the milk was opened the day prior and the salad dressings were portioned two days prior. Corrected.
— Observed hand sink in back kitchen with a paper towel dispenser that was not working. Corrected.
— Observed cutting board in the back kitchen with holes in the center. Food contact surfaces must be smooth and easily cleanable. Replace cutting board to be easily cleanable.
— Observed back kitchen ceiling with outer layer of the drop ceiling hanging down. Floors were observed with cracks and separations. Ceilings and floors must be easily cleanable and smooth surfaces. Repair or replace floors and ceilings.
— Observed vents above stove in the back kitchen area with gaps. Vents above stove must be installed properly to prevent contamination of food. Correct by repairing or replacing vents above back stove.
— Observed vents above front cookline with an accumulation of grease. Vents must be maintained clean. Correct by cleaning vents.
American House, 25250 Eureka Rd.
During a routine inspection on January 3, an inspector noted several problems at American House.
— Observed coffee mugs in sanitizer sink with a liquid that had a quat solution concentration less than 50 ppm. Quat sanitizer must be used at a concentration between 150-400 ppm. Corrected.
— Observed soda dispenser nozzles being rinsed in hot water for the cleaning procedure. Food contact surfaces must be sanitized regularly. Corrected.
— Observed hand washing sink next to stove with a trash barrel in front of it, limiting its accessibility. Hand washing sinks must remain easily accessible at all times. Corrected.
— Observed employee taking grape tomatoes from a cardboard box and placing them onto portioned salads. Unpackaged foods must be protected from sources of environmental contamination. Correct by storing washed produce in food-safe containers.
— Observed Bunn coffee maker with scaling present in water tank. Food contact surfaces must be cleaned regularly.
— Observed license posted in the kitchen area. Food service facility licenses must be posted in a manner that is visible to the customers. Correct by moving license to a conspicuous location.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Restaurant inspections: Drain flies, greasy vents found in Taylor
