CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Several Chillicothe restaurants were cited for multiple health code violations in inspections conducted on March 17 and 20, 2023. The inspections were conducted by the Ross County Health District.
Taco Bell, located at 1247 Western Ave, was cited for not having soap at the handwashing sinks located at the front line and back prep area. The low battery light on the dispenser was also observed flashing. The corrective action required was to replace the batteries in the dispenser. Employees were instructed to use the hand sink located by the serving line until the soap was available at the other sinks. The restaurant was also cited for the accumulation of ice on the walk-in freezer door, condenser, and shelving, as well as for the accumulation of debris in the floor drain by the drive-thru. The current FSO license was not displayed.
Hooks Pizza on the Hill LLC, located at 490 W Fifth St, was cited for the repeat violation of not having an employee with manager certification in food protection. Evidence of pests in the cabinets beneath the tea dispenser was also observed, and the corrective action required was to clean out the cabinets and contact a commercial pest control operator. The restaurant was also cited for not having a person on shift with a PIC certification in food safety.
Cristy’s Pizza, located at 45 E Water St, was cited for not having an employee with manager certification in food protection. Employees were not informed in a verifiable manner of their responsibility to report information about their health. Tongs were stored improperly in the lettuce, and there was no covered trash receptacle in the women’s restroom.
Hibachi Express/Hibachi Chillicothe, located at 1251 N Bridge St, was cited for not having hand soap available at the hand sink by the sushi counter. Wiping cloths were stored in the handwashing sink, and the yum yum sauce was stored at ambient room temperature. The spatula used for the yum yum sauce was stored improperly, and the floor in front of the grill had a build-up of oil. The restaurant also did not have a person in charge per shift with the person in charge of certification in food protection.
Steak n Shake, located at 889 N Bridge St, was cited for the side of the fryer having a build-up of grease and debris, as well as for the inside of the freezer by the fryer having a build-up of food debris in the bottom.
New Grand Buffet, located at 1220 N Bridge St, Chillicothe, was inspected on March 22, 2023. During the inspection, it was found that critical food was not properly protected from contamination, as ice cream cones were stored without a lid or covering. Additionally, the non-food contact surfaces of the equipment were unclean and there was an accumulation of debris on the sides of the deep fryers. The walk-in cooler shelving and walls also had a build-up of debris. The outdoor refuse containers did not have tight-fitting lids, doors, or covers, and there was an accumulation of debris on the floors and walls in the cooking area. No corrective action was taken at the time of inspection, although the person in charge (PIC) stated they would place the cones in a larger container with a lid.
Julio’s Pizzeria, located at 1680 N Bridge St, Chillicothe, was also inspected on March 22, 2023. During the inspection, employees were found to not be informed of their responsibility to report information about their health in a verifiable manner. Additionally, paper in the prep unit was observed in direct contact with the food, and the facility’s sanitizer test strips were out of date. Non-food contact surfaces of chip containers and the nacho cheese dispenser had a build-up of debris, and the prep sink had a new faucet installed but the water was not working. The PIC corrected the issue with the paper in the prep unit by adhering it to the unit. The prep sink should be repaired to meet proper standards.
Arby’s Unit 961, located at 1082 N Bridge St, Chillicothe, was also inspected on March 22, 2023. During the inspection, it was found that the mop sink tile was damaged, and there were damaged wires in the walk-in freezer. Floor and wall junctures were not properly coved, with missing coving by the back door and in the storage area. No corrective action was taken at the time of inspection, although maintenance was reviewed with the PIC.
Jerry’s Inn, Inc, located at 319 S Paint St, Chillicothe, was inspected on March 23, 2023. During the inspection, it was found that there were no written procedures for responding to vomiting or diarrheal events, and there was no hand soap available at the hand sink in the kitchen. Clean bowls and plates were not stored in a self-draining position and were covered or inverted. The PIC inverted the clean dishes to comply with regulations.
Fire & Stone Pizzaria, located at 98 N Paint St, Chillicothe, was also inspected on March 23, 2023. The facility was found to not have proof of an employee with manager certification in food protection. In addition, employees were not informed in a verifiable manner of their responsibility to report information about their health. The PIC was given a copy of the Ross County Health Department’s employee illness policy to be signed and dated by all food service employees after reviewing.
All of the restaurants were reviewed by the Ross County Health District, and corrective actions were taken. Repeat violations may result in an administrative hearing.