Chester County health inspectors found raw chicken stored above ready-to-eat food at Mercato Ristorante and Bar, 33 Market St. in downtown West Chester, during a Tuesday, Sept. 15 inspection.
The cross-contamination risk was the most serious of several violations MyChesCo reported at the Market Street restaurant. Inspectors directed Mercato to store raw animal foods below and away from ready-to-eat items.
The inspection also turned up ready-to-eat foods without date markings and food containers without identifying labels. Chemical bottles lacked labels as well.
Additional findings included a strainer blocking access to a handwashing sink, food residue on handles at the pizza station, reuse of single-use food containers and a rough wooden crate holding squeeze bottles.
No response from Mercato's management appears in public records as of publication.
The Sept. 15 inspection covered 22 food facilities countywide. Eight were cited for violations and 14 passed, including two West Chester-area Café Gourmino locations at 1022 Pottstown Pike.
Residents who observe unsanitary conditions at a food establishment can file a confidential complaint through the county's Environmental Health portal or call the Chester County Health Department at (610) 344-6225.
