Moldy queso and rodent feces: The best and worst Peoria food inspections for April

Note: Risk factor inspections are included. The Peoria City/County Health Department conducts these inspections every five years. According to comments on risk factor inspections, "For those food establishments selected, the risk factor inspection will take the place of one of the normal routine inspections."

The Peoria City/County Health Department conducts food inspections for a wide range of establishments in the area − from restaurants to long-term care facilities and schools. Inspections look for issues that could contribute to the spread of foodborne illness, as well as general cleanliness and maintenance of the establishment.

The Journal Star examined routine inspections which took place in April for restaurants, mobile establishments and bars/taverns in Peoria County. More than 100 routine inspections − including risk factor inspections − were completed for these categories.

The establishments listed below received either no violations or enough violations to warrant a warning from the health department.

Note: According to the Peoria City/County Health Department, "inspections only provide a snapshot of a food establishment's practices, as they are based on what is seen at the time of the inspection."

More: The best and worst Peoria food inspections for March

Terminology used by the health department

• Core violation: These violations relate to "general sanitation, operational controls, sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOPs), facilities or structures, equipment design, or general maintenance," according to the health department.

• Priority foundation violation: These violations could lead to priority violations if they are not corrected.

• Priority violation: These violations are considered the most high-risk by the health department, as they have the potential to directly contribute to foodborne illness.

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Establishments with no violations during routine April inspections

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Establishments that received warning comments during routine April inspections

Lagondola at 1122 N. 4th St., Chillicothe, received two priority, five priority foundation and nine core violations. These included:

• The health department found that liquid hand soap and disposable paper towels were "not provided at the hand washing sink near ice machine and 3 compartment sink." The paper towels were corrected on site.

• The health department "Observed rodent feces inside cabinet under self-service soda machine fountain and by back exterior door. The premises shall be maintained free of insects, rodents and other pests."

• A prep table cooler was placed under embargo after the health department found "Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food is not maintained at 41°F, or less."

• Open bags of flour were stored on the ground. According to the health department, "Food shall be protected by contamination by storing it: 1) in a clean, dry location; 2) where it is not exposed to splash, dust or other contamination; 3) at least 6 inches above the floor." The violation was corrected on site.

Rudy's Mexican Cantina and Grill at 3311 N. Sterling Ave. Suite 20, Peoria, received a warning comment during a risk factor inspection. Violations included:

• The inspection took place on April 22 and the health department found the "Date of April 4, 2024 marked on mole exceeds the time limit." The food was discarded.

• Raw shrimp and meats were stored above ready-to-eat products. According to the health department, establishments must "Store ready-to-eat foods above raw foods to protect from cross-contamination." The violation was corrected on site.

• Ground beef and tamales were "not marked with a use-by date." The violation was corrected on site.

• According to the health department, the person in charge "is not a Certified Food Protection Manager who has shown proficiency of required information through passing a test that is part of an accredited program."

• The health department found "Manager's soda bottle stored in ice to be used for consumption in the ice machine. After use to cool food or other items, ice may not be used as food. Ice was voluntarily discarded."

Good Tequila's Peoria Heights at 4319 N. Prospect Road, Peoria Heights, received a warning comment during a risk factor inspection. Violations included:

• The health department "Observed there to be queso with visible mold growing on the product." The food was discarded.

• Foods were found without the proper date marking. The health department also found "foods inside the prep cooler and walk in fridge was past the 7 day use by date." The violation was corrected on site.

• The walk-in fridge was placed under embargo after the health department found "Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food is not maintained at 41°F, or less."

• Employees changed "gloves without washing hands between tasks. Food (employees) must practice good hygiene by properly washing hands when changing tasks." The violation was corrected on site.

• The health department found that the business did "not have proper testing strips for quaternary and chlorine sanitizer. Provide a test kit or other measuring device so the employees can measure concentrations and ensure proper sanitization."

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Update: Warning comment on March inspection

Osaka Japanese Restaurant at 5201 W. War Memorial Drive, Suite 502, Peoria, received seven priority, six priority foundation and 12 core violations during a routine inspection on March 13. The establishment was not noted in the March food inspection article. Violations included:

• The establishment's chlorine sanitizer was found to be "at 0 ppm in sanitizer bucket in sushi area. Provide 100ppm to 200ppm chlorine concentration." The violation was corrected on site.

• The health department noted that a "food employee touched food service equipment, handled food, and changing tasks without washing hands. Food employee must practice good hygiene by properly washing hands when changing tasks." The violation was corrected on site.

• According to the health department, "Employee at sushi bar was asked to show what fish was being used for red snapper and white tuna as inspector was unable to locate these items in the establishment. When inspector asked for red snapper, employee presented tilapia fish. When asked for white tuna, employee presented Escolar (Oil fish)." The fish were removed from the sushi station.

• The health department noted that the "Establishment does not have procedures for employees to follow when responding to discharging of vomitus or fecal matter."

• According to the health department, "Food establishment is serving undercooked, ready-to-eat fish that has not undergone proper parasite destruction process."

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Warning comment follow up inspections

Osaka Japanese Restaurant at 5201 W. War Memorial Drive Suite 502, Peoria, received seven priority, six priority foundation and 12 core violations during a routine inspection on March 13. The business offered "proof that all fish meet requirements" for parasite destruction requirements on March 18.

An April 1 follow up found three priority, six priority foundation and nine core violations. Comments from the Peoria City/County Health Department noted:

"Due to number of P/Pf observed during this full 10-day follow-up inspection, the establishment will be referred to the Director of Environmental Health for a compliance conference to determine additional enforcement action due to continued noncompliance with the Illinois Food Code and Chapter 10 Food Safety, of the Peoria County Code."

During an April 18 follow up, the health department found one priority and two core violations. Inspection comments stated that "Due to corrections made at this establishment, routine inspection schedule will resume, however, if the next routine inspection results in a 10-day full follow-up, a referred for compliance will be summitted to the Director of Environmental Health."

Lagondola at 1122 N. 4th St., Chillicothe, received two priority, five priority foundation and nine core violations on April 15.

The embargo on the prep table was removed on April 18. A follow up on April 29 noted two priority foundation and eight core violations. Comments on the follow up inspection noted:

"Be advised, the following Priority and/or Priority Foundation violation(s) documented on the last inspection have not been corrected and will be considered a continuous violation if not corrected prior to, or at, the Second Follow-Up Inspection. Be further advised that follow-up inspections fees shall apply, and continued noncompliance may result in a referral to the Director of Environmental Health for additional enforcement action."

Some of the repeat violations included:

• The health department found that the "can opener blade is no longer smooth and easily cleanable."

• The health department observed various "food-contact surfaces are not clean to sight and touch with soil accumulation."

• The health department "Observed mice urine under 3 compartment sink, in the storage area of the soda machine and on floors along the walls in dish washing area by using a black light."

Rudy's Mexican Cantina and Grill at 3311 N. Sterling Ave. Suite 20, Peoria, received a warning comment during a risk factor inspection on April 22.

A May 6 follow up found two priority, two priority foundation and nine core violations. Comments on the inspection noted: "Establishment showed significant improvement and no further enforcement action is required at this time. CFPM, Allergen Awareness, and Food Handler Training will still be followed up on as shown in violation section."

Good Tequila's Peoria Heights at 4319 N. Prospect Road, Peoria Heights, received a warning comment during a risk factor inspection on April 18.

A May 2 follow up found two priority, one priority foundation and two core violations. Comments noted: "During the full follow-up inspection a substantial number of violations have been corrected and it has been determined that the establishment is in compliance with the Illinois Food Code."

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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: The best and worst Peoria food inspections for April 2024