Cockroaches remained active at La Rancherita Mexican Taqueria on East Gay Street when Chester County health inspectors returned for a follow-up visit on Friday, Aug. 14, two days after the restaurant underwent a pest-control fogging treatment.
Inspectors found juvenile and adult cockroaches in the kitchen and food-preparation areas, according to county inspection findings reported by MyChesCo. The visit came one day after a Thursday, Aug. 13, inspection that documented what the Health Department called multi-generational cockroach activity at the downtown West Chester restaurant at 323 E. Gay St.
As we reported Aug. 13, the initial inspection found cockroaches just one day after the operator had the restaurant treated with an insecticide fogging on Wednesday, Aug. 12. That inspection also found that food, utensils and equipment had not been removed or covered during the pesticide application, and inspectors ordered exposed produce discarded. The pest-control report provided to the county did not identify the chemical used or include post-treatment instructions.
The Aug. 14 follow-up confirmed the infestation persisting despite treatment. Inspectors issued a series of new directives:
- Maintain dated glue boards throughout the facility and submit pest-control reports to the Health Department
- Immediately clean all kitchen and food-preparation surfaces and equipment
- Remove cardboard and unnecessary equipment
- Seal or replace an access panel beneath the three-compartment sink
- Replace or modify dark-painted walls and ceiling materials with light-colored, smooth, easily cleanable surfaces
That last directive goes beyond routine sanitation. Light-colored walls make pest activity easier to spot during future inspections.
Inspectors also cited cleaning deficiencies involving refrigeration gaskets, a steam-table area and a dish rack.
The operator had a second pest-control treatment scheduled for the evening of Aug. 14, according to the inspection report. No information is available on whether La Rancherita has been ordered to close or whether it remained open during the inspections.
La Rancherita's situation is the second active cockroach infestation at a West Chester-area restaurant tracked by the Health Department this month. Rey Azteca Mexican Restaurant at 1257 West Chester Pike was still showing roach activity during an Aug. 10 follow-up, 12 days after an emergency pest-control order.
Residents who observe unsanitary conditions at a food establishment can file a confidential complaint at chesco.org/5843. Anyone who becomes ill after eating at a restaurant should call the Chester County Health Department at 610-344-6225.
