Risky food temps, dirty floors: Read Centre County’s August restaurant inspections

At least two Centre County establishments were found out of compliance following routine food safety inspections conducted throughout August.

The county’s failed inspections largely centered on facility cleanliness and temperature control issues at a Boalsburg country club and a downtown State College chicken and sandwich joint.

Ninety other establishments appear alphabetically in this story after passing inspections with few or no violations.

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

Under 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.

Once inspections are complete and reports are published, you can browse them online by visiting pafoodsafety.state.pa.us/web/inspection/publicinspectionsearch.aspx. You can look up establishments by name or filter results to specific cities, counties and ZIP codes.

Out-of-compliance inspections in August

98K Hamburger, 310 S. Allen St. in State College — An Aug. 7 routine inspection at this fried chicken and sandwich shop produced 11 violations, most of which concerned food temperatures and contamination risks.

According to his report, State College borough sanitarian Brian O’Donnell observed fried chicken “held at an ambient temperature” and not cooled to 41 degrees Fahrenheit as required by code. A different batch of chicken prepared for orders was held at 77 degrees in the kitchen area, far below the 135-degree-or-above threshold. Both batches of chicken were thrown out during the inspection.

Marinated raw chicken, identified as a potentially hazardous food, was held for more than 24 hours in a two-door refrigerator without date markings, the report claims.

O’Donnell also observed cut tomatoes, lettuce and cucumbers held between 72 and 77 degrees, rather than below 41 degrees as required. They were discarded, too.

The sanitarian wrote that time was used “in lieu of temperature” to control ready-to-eat and potentially hazardous foods “without written procedures or documentation to verify disposition of food.”

Bags of flour were stored directly on the ground instead of at least 6 inches off of the floor as required by code, according to the report.

Elsewhere, O’Donnell observed a handwashing sink in the rear kitchen area that was blocked by a food strainer and inaccessible for employees. A nearby paper towel dispenser was empty.

Chemical sanitizers were not used on equipment and utensils after washing and rinsing them or prior to use, according to the report. O’Donnell noted an employee was not knowledgeable about using sanitizer.

The report claims heavy ice buildup prevented the interior of a freezer chest from being cleaned, while the base of a three-door refrigerator was “soiled with chicken juices.” A two-door refrigerator used for storing chicken had shelving “soiled with food residue,” while sauce containers were soiled with spilled sauce.

Mountain View Country Club, 310 Elks Club Road in Boalsburg — An Aug. 27 routine inspection at this country club’s bar and restaurant resulted in eight violations, most of which concerned cleanliness and food temperature control.

According to a report filed by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the club’s restaurant — The View — did not properly cool its roast beef following preparation. Health codes state roast beef must cool from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees in two hours or from 135 degrees to 41 degrees within six hours. Roast beef observed by sanitarian Stephanie Eakin was cooked at around 10:30 a.m. but reached an internal temperature of 118 degrees hours later, according to the report, which covered between roughly 2:10 and 4 p.m.

Eakin also observed cooked chicken wings held at 46 degrees rather than the 41-degree-or-below threshold as required. They were discarded during her inspection, according to the report.

The View did not have soap available at a handwashing sink in the bar area and kitchen area, the report claims. The adjacent paper towl dispenser was empty during Eakin’s inspection.

In a repeat violation, the interior of an ice machine “was observed to have a dark residue and was not clean to sight and touch.” Additionally, the floors beneath the restaurant’s coffee area and ice machines were “extremely dirty, dusty and in need of cleaning,” Eakin wrote.

Eakin’s report notes The View’s menu features a statement reminding consumers that some foods are or could be served raw or undercooked, but they do not clearly disclose which foods are affected by that warning. The report also suggests the person in charge of the restaurant during the inspection “did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility.”

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.

These establishments passed inspections in August

Stands at this summer’s Centre Country Grange Fair and Encampment comprised more than half of August’s completed health inspections in Centre County. Nearly all vendors at the fair that received inspections were listed with the Grange Park’s address in Centre Hall.

• Addison Snyder’s Concessions Fried Vegetables (MFF3), 195 Snyder Brook Lane in Bellefonte
• All Spice Catering, 419 N. Centre St. in Philipsburg
• American Diner, 1841 Philipsburg-Bigler Highway in Philipsburg
• Anne Brooks — Bison (MFF2), 250 Sayers Road in Bellefonte
• Auction Eats (TFS3), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• B&B Fruit Cup (TFS3), 160 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Bee’s Knees Coffee, 114 E. College Ave. in Bellefonte
• Belle Springs Dairy (MFF2), 241 Resides Lane in Bellefonte
• Bellefonte KOA Kampground, 2481 Jacksonville Road in Bellefonte
• Bill Berndt Concessions (TFS3), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• The Boarding House (TFS4), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Bonfatto’s (TFS3), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Bonfatto’s Italian Market & Corner Cafe, 401 W. High St. in Bellefonte
• Brody’s (TFS4), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Brother’s Pizza of Howard, 102 E. Main St. in Howard
• Building #54 (TFS3) — Formerly Weaver Enterprises, 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Canyon Pizza (TFS3), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Canyon Wings (TFS3), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Corner Cafe and Grill (TFS4), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Crusty Brothers 2, 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Curbside Kitchen (TFS4), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Dave & Curt’s (TFS4), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Defluri’s Pizza (TFS3), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Diamond Deli & Coffee King #1 (TFS4), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Diamond Deli & Coffee King #2 (TFS4), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Doan’s Bones BBQ (TFS4), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Dollar General #23088, 364 W. Aaron Square in Aaronsburg
• Donna’s Family Restaurant (TFS3), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Effie’s Kitchen (TFS4), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Exotic Licorice & More (TFS3), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Fisher’s Concessions (TFS4), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Freshëns, 556 White Course Drive in University Park
• G&J Little Store (TFS2), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Greater Buffalo Run Valley United Methodist Church (TFS3), 102 Trinity Court in Bellefonte
• Gunzey’s Chicken (TFS4), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Gunzey’s Hot Sausage (TFS4), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Hewlett’s Hot Sausage (TFS3), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Hewlett’s Hot Sausage McCormick Ave. (TFS4), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Hometown Market, 1323 Walton St. in Philipsburg
• Hope Fire Co. Rec Center, 400 N. Front St. in Philipsburg
• Hot Dog House (TFS4), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Ingram’s Market (TFS3), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Liberty Curtin Elementary School, 11125 N. Eagle Valley Road P.O. Box 213 in Blanchard
• Luse’s Store — Tent Area (TFS2), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Marcy’s Lemonade (TFS2), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Mark’s Custom Meats, 4101 Nittany Valley Drive in Howard
• McDonald’s #40860, 2647 Benner Pike in Bellefonte
• Miller’s Hoagies (TFS3), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Miller’s Caramel Popcorn (MFF3), 111 Sandstone Drive in Bellefonte
• Miller’s Hoagies #2 — Cheesesteaks (TFS3), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Miller’s Tropical Sno, 111 Sandstone Drive in Bellefonte
• Millheim Hotel II (TFS4), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Monte Carlo Pizza & Wings, 616 College Ave. in State College
• New Hope Lutheran Church, 119 Cobblestone Court in Spring Mills
• Original Brothers Pizza & Subs, 201 W. Olive St. in Snow Shoe
• PA Dutchalicious Amish Donut (TFS3), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Packers Concessions #5 — Sausage (MFF3), 623 Old Fort Road in Centre Hall
• Packers Concessions #8 — Veggie (MFF3), 623 Old Fort Road in Centre Hall
• Philipsburg Beverage, 22 Irwin Drive in Philipsburg
• Port Matilda Fire Co. (TFS4), 101 Plank Road P.O. Box 472 in Port Matilda
• RC Herr LLC — Farm Show Milkshakes (TFS3), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Red Roost Diner, 807 Pleasant View Blvd. in Bellefonte
• Rita’s Italian Ice (TFS3), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• RJ’s Pub & Grill, 615 N. Ninth St. in Philipsburg
• Rosie’s Pierogies (TFS4), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Rumba & Soul (TFS4), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Sarina’s Pizza, 1079 Front St. in Philipsburg
• Scott’s Roasting #2 (MFF4), 120 Sylvan Acres Lane in Bellefonte
• Scott’s Roasting (Jason & Amanda) (MFF4), 120 Sylvan Acres Lane in Bellefonte
• Simply Blessed Farm (MFF3), 3484 Penns Valley Road in Spring Mills
• Sinking Creek Meats, 131 Ishler Lane in Spring Mills
• Smokin Moe’s BBQ (MFF4), 144 Flatt St. in Clarence
• Sower’s Market, 670 Tyrone Pike in Philipsburg
• Steve Beiler, 2042 Axemann Road in Bellefonte
• Stillhouse Eatery & Craft Beverages, 137 W. Streamside Place in Spring Mills
• Sunset Ice Cream Parlor (TFS3), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Sunset Ice Cream Trailer (TFS3), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Sunset Ice Cream (TFS3), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Teris Concessions (TFS3), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• The American Ale House and Grill, 821 Cricklewood Drive in State College
• The Cool Cat (TFS3), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• The Hand Pantry, 114 Cottontail Lane in Howard
• The Junction 144, 850 S. Eagle Valley Road in Bellefonte
• The Oasis (TFS4), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• The Whole Enchilada (TFS4), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Triple Seas (TFS4), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Twin B Farms (TFS3), 169 Homan Lane in Centre Hall
• Twin B Farms Mobile, 2615 Green Tech Drive in State College
• Twin Kiss, 2495 N. Eagle Valley Road in Howard
• W&W Tender Roast Sandwiches (GDA Products) (MFF4), 212 N. Vanessa Drive in Bellefonte
• We Are Inn, 1535 Port Matilda Highway in Philipsburg
• Zion Mart #64, 1806 College Ave. in Bellefonte

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.

Matt DiSanto

Centre Daily Times

814-231-4616

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