Chester County health inspectors cited two West Chester restaurants for a combined 25 violations during Thursday, Oct. 15 inspections, with staff discarding food during the visits.
Wasabi Chinese & Japanese Restaurant at 686 Downingtown Pike received 13 violations, and Gramm's Kitchen at 557 E. Gay St. received 12, according to inspection reports first reported by MyChesCo. Fat Boyz Grill at Exxon, at 851 S. High St., passed the same inspection cycle.
At Wasabi, shrimp had not cooled from 135 degrees to 70 degrees within the required two hours. Employees reheated the shrimp to 165 degrees and restarted the cooling process.
A garlic-and-oil mixture held at 65 degrees, well above the 41-degree maximum, was thrown out. Flour used to coat raw shrimp was also discarded after sitting at room temperature.
Inspectors found food residue on utensils and equipment, an inadequate dishwasher wash-water temperature and a blocked handwashing sink. They also cited the use of Raid insecticide by an uncertified applicator, and the pesticide was discarded during the visit.
The Chester County Health Department directed Wasabi to correct its menu because escolar was listed as "white tuna," which the department called misleading to consumers. Escolar is a different species that contains indigestible wax esters and can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, according to Health Canada.
A Malvern restaurant, Moca Asian Cuisine, received the same escolar citation during an Aug. 26 inspection cycle, according to a separate MyChesCo report.
At Gramm's Kitchen on Gay Street, inspectors found cooked scrapple and ham held at 50 degrees after being improperly cooled overnight. The food was voluntarily discarded.
Food residue coated a slicer. Milkshake blender spindles needed cleaning. Inspectors also flagged dented canned goods, ice stored directly on a freezer floor and accumulated ice inside a freezer.
Handwashing sinks lacked soap or paper towels, and a can of Raid insecticide along with a fly strip raised pest-control concerns. The restaurant was directed to clarify menu disclosures for raw or undercooked foods and fix maintenance issues with a sump pump and drainage equipment.
The Health Department cautioned that inspection findings represent conditions observed at a particular time and may not reflect a restaurant's long-term food safety practices.
Residents who suspect unsanitary conditions can file a confidential complaint through the county's Environmental Health portal. Anyone who becomes ill after eating at a food establishment can call the Health Department at 610-344-6225.
