At least one Centre County establishment was found out of compliance following routine food safety inspections conducted throughout September.
The county’s lone failed inspection came from a restaurant operated largely by hospitality students on Penn State’s campus. The establishment produced several violations surrounding its cleanliness and food temperature control.
More than 100 other establishments appear alphabetically in this story after passing inspections with few or no violations. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, no restaurants or establishments in the county failed inspections in July or August.
Information regarding county establishments and their violations appears below in an alphabetical list with a summary of the problems inspectors noted in their respective reports. More details are available upon request by visiting the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s online database.
Business owners who wish to clarify or comment on inspection results can contact Centre Daily Times reporter Matt DiSanto by emailing mdisanto@centredaily.com.
About food safety inspections
In accordance with Pennsylvania law, eating and drinking establishments are inspected at least once per year. Some schools, including the State College Area School District, receive biannual inspections.
Pennsylvania’s Department of Agriculture may conduct additional inspections if complaints are received or if initial inspections are not up to code.
Most observed violations are minor in scope and are corrected during inspections, but some establishments may temporarily close if too many violations are found. Closures may occur as a result of other issues, including risks for foodborne illnesses or violations that take time to address, such as broken plumbing or pest infestations.
Most inspections in Centre County are conducted at the state level through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. More than 100 municipalities directly conduct their health inspections through certified officials who fall under their jurisdiction. State College, for example, is responsible for performing inspections in the borough and in Ferguson, Patton and College townships, a borough official said.
Cafe Laura, 104A Mateer Building in University Park — A Sept. 26 routine inspection found seven violations at this establishment, largely concerning cleanliness and food temperature control.
According to an inspection report filed by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, sanitarian Stephanie Eakin observed several food items stored at improper temperatures. These items include meatballs, held at 127 degrees Fahrenheit (regulations require 135 degrees and above), and several items at the grill and salad bar area, including sliced tomatoes (60 degrees), leaf lettuce (61 degrees), cooked shrimp (58 degrees) and raw chicken (52 degrees), which were all held above their permitted temperature limits.
The restaurant’s meatballs were reheated in a hot box to reach an acceptable temperature, while the cooked shrimp, raw chicken and vegetables were moved to several coolers to reach their required temperatures, according to Eakin’s report.
Cafe Laura’s Sept. 26 inspection found the facility “was not following documented procedures for monitoring critical control points,” the report reads. The restaurant was instructed to stop its sous vide procedures until updated plans receive approval.
Additionally, Eakin found Cafe Laura’s temperature-measuring device for monitoring equipment temperatures was not available or readily accessible for a cooler used to store raw chicken. Several other coolers along the service line were observed not holding property temperature, especially in the salad bar and grill area. Several lids at the salad bar were broken and unable to properly close, Eakin’s report claims.
A handwashing sink at the nearby Kings Espresso Bar, which serves Starbucks coffee and pastries, was blocked by water bottles and inaccessible for employee use, according to Eakin’s report. This was corrected during the Sept. 26 inspection.
According to Eakin’s inspection notes, the person in charge at the time, Cafe Laura kitchen manager Michael Triassi, did not “demonstrate adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility, as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection.”
Penn State officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Cafe Laura’s Sept. 26 inspection.
Cafe Laura offers a wide-ranging menu, including regular lunch service and popular theme dinners available to the public. The establishment is largely supported by Penn State’s hospitality management students.
Penn State Cafe Laura on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
How to complain about conditions
If you see a problem at a retail food or lodging establishment, you can file a complaint to catch officials’ attention.
To notify the commonwealth about questionable conditions anywhere food is served or sold to the public, call 1-866-366-3723 or fill out the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s food safety complaint form, available online at pda.pa.gov/FoodSafetyComplaint/. The form asks for consumer information, facility details and a full description of each complaint.
You can also contact the commonwealth’s Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services directly by calling 717-787-4315 or emailing RA-FoodSafety@pa.gov.
Locally, you can report concerns to State College officials by calling 814-234-7100 or emailing healthdept@statecollegepa.us.
Beard Field Penn State, Old Park Avenue in University Park
Beaver Stadium (TFS4), 1 Beaver Stadium in University Park
Beer & Lemonade — Jay Vending (Beaver Stadium) (TFS3), 1 Beaver Stadium in University Park
Belle City Bites, 198 Match Factory Place in Bellefonte
Belle City Bites (MFF4), 167 Potter St. in Bellefonte
Belle Mercantile, 135 S. Spring St. in Bellefonte
Bellefonte Area High School, 830 E. Bishop St. in Bellefonte
Bellefonte Area Middle School, 100 N. School St. in Bellefonte
Bellefonte Elementary School, 100 W. Linn St. in Bellefonte
Bellefonte Elks Lodge No. 1094, 120 W. High St. in Bellefonte
Bellefonte Moose Lodge No. 206, 125 N. Spring St., P.O. Box 297 in Bellefonte
Benjamin’s Catering, 119-1 College Ave. in Bellefonte
Benner Elementary School, 490 Buffalo Run Road in Bellefonte
Blue and White Pub and Bottleshop, 218 W. Beaver Ave. in State College
Bock’s Tearoom, 145 N. Front St. in Philipsburg
Brazilian Munchies (MFF4), 222 N. Ridge St. in Bellefonte
Buffalo Valley Spice & Supply (TFS3), 222 Penns Cave Road in Centre Hall
Centre Hills Country Club, 153 Country Club Road in State College
Cold Stream Creamery, 1515 Port Matilda Highway in Philipsburg
Diamond Deli, 103 Allegheny St. in Bellefonte
Dogs on the Run, Lost Moose Catering, 114 Ghaner Drive in State College
Dollar General No. 2263, 141 S. Spring St. in Bellefonte
Domino’s Pizza No. 9135, 114 High St. in Bellefonte
Duff’s Kettle Korn (TFS3), 222 Penns Cave Road in Centre Hall
Fasta & Ravioli Company, 157 W. College Ave. in Pleasant Gap
Federal Taphouse, 130 S. Frasre St., Suite 200 in State College
Field Hockey Complex Penn State, Curtin Road in University Park
Fire Company Club of Millheim (TFS4), 103-105 North St. in Millheim
Flo Bros Pizza, 2042 Axemann Road in Bellefonte
Four Ways Pub & Eatery, 685 Pleasant View Blvd. in Bellefonte
Giant Food Store No. 6524, 2121 S. Atherton St. in State College
Gigi’s Southern Table, 2080 Cato Ave. in State College
Grove American Beef Mobile, 277 W. Pine Grove Road in Pine Grove Mills
Hidden Branch Farm (MFF2), 101 Boal Ave. in Boalsburg
Hissho Sushi @ Giant No. 072, 255 Northland Center in State College
Hissho Sushi @ Giant No. 6524, 2121 S. Atherton St. in State College
Hope Fire Co. Rec Center (TFS3), 6th & Alder St. in Philipsburg
Howard Elementary School, School St., P.O. Box 406 in Howard
Jackson M. Concessions (TFS3), 222 Penns Cave Road in Centre Hall
Liberty Curtin Elementary School, 11125 N. Eagle Valley Road, P.O. Box 213 in Blanchard
Logan Grange No. 109 (TFS4), 122 N. Main St. in Pleasant Gap
Marin Eats, 2042 Axemann Road in Bellefonte
Moe’s Southwest Grill, 211 Patriot Lane in State College
Mount Nittany Club & Suites, 1 Beaver Stadium in University Park
My Cafe Buzz, 325 W. High St. in Bellefonte
Sam Nastase, 1235 Zion Road in Bellefonte
Nature Inn at Bald Eagle, 201 Warbler Way in Howard
Nittany Antique Machinery Association Spring & Fall Show, 222 Penns Cave Road in Centre Hall
Nittany Catering, 3208 Benner Pike Suite 111 in Bellefonte
Nuts For You Beaver Stadium (TFS3), Beaver Stadium in University Park
OK Stop, 3411 Tyrone Pike in Sandy Ridge
Old Pop’s Corny, 1374 Troy Hawk Run Highway in Philipsburg
Packers Concessions Pizza No. 1 (MFF3), 254 S. Hoffer Ave. in Centre Hall
Packers Concessions Sausage No. 5, 623 Old Fort Road in Centre hall
Packers Concessions Veggie no. 8, 623 Old Fort Road in Centre hall
Panini’s Beaver Stadium (TFS3), 1 Beaver Stadium in University Park
Panzer Stadium Penn State, University Drive & Dauer Driver in University Park
Pegula Ice Arena, 250 University Drive in University Park
Pelican’s Snoballs, 219 S. Water St. in Bellefonte
Rec Hall, 12 Curtin Road in State College
Penn Valley Cafe, 2493 Fox Hill Road in State College
Penns Valley Area Elementary School, 4528 Penns Valley Road in Spring Mills
Penns Valley Area Junior-Senior High School, 4545 Penns Valley Road in Spring Mills
Philly Pretzel Factory Beaver Stadium (TFS3), 1 Beaver Stadium in University Park
Pine Grove Mills Country Store, 103 S. Water St. in Pine Grove Mills
Poke Fresh, 328 E. Calder Way in State College
Penn State Meat Store, Room 16C Meat Lab in University Park
Ramyun Studio, 208 E. Calder Way in State College
Rebersburg Elementary School, 80 Town Lane Road in Rebersburg
Rey Azteca, 485 Benner Pike in State College
Saxby’s — Smeal School of Business, 210 Business Building in University Park
Scoopers Ice Cream Beaver Stadium (TFS2), Beaver Stadium in University Park
Scott’s Roasting Beaver Stadium (TFS3), 169 Beaver Stadium in University Park
Sheetz No. 181, 820 S. Eagle Valley Road in Bellefonte
Sheetz No. 339, 765 Benner Pike in State College
Sinking Creek Meats @ Martin’s Feed Mill, 534 Main St. in Coburn
Smoke N Go Express 2, 121 W. College Ave. in Bellefonte
St. Paul’s Parish Hall (TFS4), 406 Presquile St., P.O. Box 170 in Philipsburg
Stage West, 420 E. College Ave. in State College
Starbucks — Paterno Library, 107 Pattee Library in University Park
State College Assembly of God, 2201 University Drive in State College
Sunset Ice Cream (TFS3), 222 Penns Cave Road in Centre Hall
Snyder’s Concessions (MFF4), 195 Snyder Brook Lane in Bellefonte
Taipei Chinese Restaurant, 2121 S. Atherton St. in State College
Texas Roadhouse, 1885 Waddle Road in State College
The American Ale House and Grill, 821 Cricklewood Drive in State College
The Cakeshop by Tati, 113 College Ave. in Bellefonte
The Nittany Cafe at Mount Nittany Medical Center, 1800 E. Park Ave. in State College
The Overlook Grill, 559 N. Pennsylvania Ave. in Centre Hall
The Republic at the Gamble Mill, 160 Dunlop St. in Bellefonte
The Waffle Shop, 127 W. Bishop St. in Bellefonte
The Waffle Shop, 364 E. College Ave. in State College
Trader Joe’s No. 629, 243 Patriot Lane in State College
Uncle Chen’s Primetime, 426 E. Calder Way in State College
Veteran’s Club of Bellefonte No. 1600, 123 S. Spring St., P.O. Box 622 in Bellefonte
Walmart No. 1640, 1665 N. Atherton St. in State College
Wasson Farm Ice Cream & Farm Market (MFF3), 2545 Shingletown Road in State College
We Are Inn Beaver Stadium (TFS3), 1 Beaver Stadium in University Park
Webster’s Bookstore Cafe, 133 E. Beaver Ave. in State College
Wingate Elementary School, Box 4 Route 220 in Wingate
Wingate Faith Church (TFS3), 111 Runville Road in Bellefonte
Yallah Chicken & Tacos, 1669 N. Atherton St. in State College
Note: Occasionally, a listed address — especially for mobile vendors and food trucks — is not where food is actually served to the public. Contact those establishments for specific service locations.
This story was originally published October 7, 2024 at 10:14 AM.
Matt is a 2022 Penn State graduate. Before arriving at the Centre Daily Times, he served as Onward State’s managing editor and a general assignment reporter at StateCollege.com.Support my work with a digital subscription
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