El Puerto Restaurant, 3007 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204 - Full Service Restaurant inspection findings and violations



Business Info

Restaurant: El Puerto Restaurant
Address: 3007 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204
Type: Full Service Restaurant
Phone: 703 271-8100
Total inspections: 9
Last inspection: 01/20/2016

Restaurant representatives - add corrected or new information about El Puerto Restaurant, 3007 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204 »


Inspection findings

Inspection date

Type

  • In-Use Utensils, Between-Use Storage (corrected on site) (repeated violation)
    Observation: Food preparation and dispensing utensils are improperly stored. Observed scoops and utensils in standing water.
    Correction: During pauses in food preparation or dispensing, food preparation and dispensing utensils shall be stored: (A) In the food with their handles above the top of the food and the container
  • Wiping Cloths, Use Limitation (corrected on site) (repeated violation)
    Observation: Cloths in-use for wiping counters and other equipment surfaces are not held between uses in a chemical sanitizer solution of proper concentration.
    Correction: Cloths in-use for wiping counters and other equipment surfaces shall be: (1) Held between uses in a chemical sanitizer solution at a concentration specified under section 4-501.114
  • Food-Contact Surfaces/Cleanability
    Observation: The food-contact surfaces of the milk crates for food storage are not smooth and easily cleanable.
    Correction: Multiuse food-contact surfaces shall be: (1) Smooth
  • Equipment/Fixed, Elevation or Sealing
    Observation: The caulking on the 3 compartment sink is in poor repair.
    Correction: Counter-mounted equipment that is not easily movable shall be elevated on legs that provide at least a 10 centimeter (4 inch) clearance between the table and the equipment. The clearance space between the table and counter-mounted equipment may be: (1) 7.5 centimeters (3 inches) if the horizontal distance of the table top under the equipment is no more than 50 centimeters (20 inches) from the point of access for cleaning
  • Cutting Surfaces (repeated violation)
    Observation: The surfaces of the cutting boards on mainline prep units are no longer effectively cleaned and sanitized.
    Correction: Surfaces such as cutting blocks and boards that are subject to scratching and scoring shall be resurfaced if they can no longer be effectively cleaned and sanitized, or discarded if they are not capable of being resurfaced. Cutting surfaces such as cutting boards and blocks that become scratched and scored may be difficult to clean and sanitize. As a result, pathogenic microorganisms transmissible through food may build up or accumulate. These microorganisms may be transferred to foods that are prepared on such surfaces.
  • Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces and Utensils/Time Temperature Control For Safety Food/Cleaning Frequency (corrected on site)
    Observation: Surfaces of the ice machine are not clean.
    Correction: Except when dry cleaning methods are used as specified under section 4-603.11, surfaces of utensils and equipment contacting food that is not time/temperature control for safety food shall be cleaned: (1) At any time when contamination may have occurred
  • Handwashing Sink/Using/Operation and Maintenance (corrected on site)
    Observation: The handwashing station located on the mainline is being used as a dump station.
    Correction: The handwashing facility identified above is to be used for washing hands only.
  • Outer Openings, Protected (repeated violation)
    Observation: The outer openings of the food establishment are not protected against the entry of insects and rodents. Observed an air gap on rear exit door.
    Correction: Outer openings of a food establishment shall be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by: (1) Filling or closing holes and other gaps along floors, walls, and ceilings
  • Physical Facilities/Repairing (repeated violation)
    Observation: Observed the walk-in cooler's door in poor repair. Dry storage shelving is also observed as rusted.
    Correction: Physical facilities shall be maintained in good repair. Poor repair and maintenance compromises the functionality of the physical facilities. This requirement is intended to ensure that the physical facilities are properly maintained in order serve their intended purpose.
01/20/2016Routine
Please keep your written procedures for TPHC on file, and mark all items with the time that they are taken out of temperature control.
  • Cleaning Procedure/Hands and Arms (corrected on site)
    Observation: Food employee observed washing hands with gloves on.
    Correction: Food employees shall clean their hands and exposed portions of their arms, including surrogate prosthetic devices for hands or arms for at least 20 seconds, using a cleaning compound in a handwashing sink that is equipped as specified under section 5-202.12 and Subpart 6-301. If approved and capable of removing the types of soils encountered in the food operations involved, an automatic handwashing facility may be used by food employees to clean their hands or surrogate prosthetic devices.
  • Time as a Public Health Control (corrected on site)
    Observation: No written procedures exist for the use of time only as a public health control for a working supply of lettuce and tomatoes.
    Correction: If time only is used as the public health control for a working supply of time/temperature control for safety food before cooking, or for ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food that is displayed or held for service for immediate consumption: (1) Written procedures shall be prepared in advance, maintained in the food establishment and made available to the regulatory authority upon request that specify: (a) Methods of compliance with Subparagraphs (B) (1)-(3) or (C) (1)-(5) of this section
  • Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces and Utensils/Time Temperature Control For Safety Food/Cleaning Frequency (corrected on site)
    Observation: Surfaces of the ice machine are not clean.
    Correction: Except when dry cleaning methods are used as specified under section 4-603.11, surfaces of utensils and equipment contacting food that is not time/temperature control for safety food shall be cleaned: (1) At any time when contamination may have occurred
  • Handwashing Sink/Using/Operation and Maintenance (corrected on site)
    Observation: The handwashing station on the mainline is being used to rinse wiping cloths.
    Correction: The handwashing facility identified above is to be used for washing hands only.
09/17/2015Risk Factor
Today's inspection was a follow-up for cold holding. Substantial compliance observed. Please cool foods properly in the walk-in, shallow pans, or utilizing ice.
No violation noted during this evaluation.
05/14/2015Follow-up
Please ensure all outer openings of the food establishment are protected from pest entry. Service/repair prep units to ensure all foods held above are 41 F or below. Due to repeat violations, a follow-up inspection will be conducted on or after 10 days.
  • Hands and Arms/When to Wash (corrected on site)
    Observation: A food employee failed to wash his or her hands before donning gloves for working with food.
    Correction: Instruct food employees to clean their hands and exposed portions of their arms immediately before engaging in food preparation including working with exposed food, clean equipment and utensils, and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles (A) After touching bare human body parts other than clean, exposed portions of arms (B) After using the toilet room (C) After caring for or handling service animals or aquatic animals as specified in 2-403.11(B) (D) After coughing, sneezing, using a handkerchief or disposable tissue, using tobacco, eating, or drinking (E) After handling soiled equipment or utensils (F) During food preparation, as often as necessary to remove soil and contamination and to prevent cross contamination when changing tasks (G) When switching between working with raw food and working with ready-to-eat food (H) Before donning gloves for working with food and (I) After engaging in other activities that contaminate the hands.
  • Packaged and Unpackaged Food-Separation, Packaging, and Segregation/Preventing Food and Ingredient Contamination (corrected on site)
    Observation: Ready-to-eat food is not protected from cross contamination by separating them from raw animal foods. Observed ice used for drinking stored under different types of raw meat in chest freezer.
    Correction: Food shall be protected from cross contamination by separating raw animal foods during storage, preparation, holding, and display from: (a) Raw ready-to-eat food including other raw animal food such as fish for sushi or molluscan shellfish, or other raw ready-to-eat food such as fruits and vegetables, and (b) Cooked ready-to-eat food.
  • Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot Holding (corrected on site)
    Observation: Fried fishand pork chop hot holding at the improper temperature of 80 F, and 88 F.
    Correction: Except during preparation, cooking, or cooling, or when time is used as the public health control as specified under section 3-501.19, and except as specified under paragraph (B) of this section, time/temperature control for safety food shall be maintained at 57ºC (135ºF) or above, except that roasts cooked to a temperature and for a time specified in paragraph 3-401.11(B) or reheated as specified in paragraph 3-403.11(E) may be held at a temperature of 54ºC (130ºF) or above. Bacterial growth and/or toxin production can occur if time/temperature control for safety food remains in the temperature "Danger Zone" of 5ºC to 57ºC (41ºF to 135ºF) too long. Up to a point, the rate of growth increases with an increase in temperature within this zone. Beyond the upper limit of the optimal temperature range for a particular organism, the rate of growth decreases. Operations requiring heating or cooling of food should be performed as rapidly as possible to avoid the possibility of bacterial growth.
  • Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Cold Holding (corrected on site) (repeated violation)
    Observation: Observed cut lettuce, cut tomatoes, tomato cilantro salad, raw pork, and other items improperly cold holding at temperatures of 54 F, 48 F, 57 F, 51 F.
    Correction: Except during preparation, cooking, or cooling, or when time is used as the public health control as specified under section 3-501.19, and except as specified under paragraph (B) of this section, time/temperature control for safety food shall be maintained at 5ºC (41ºF) or less. Bacterial growth and/or toxin production can occur if time/temperature control for safety food remains in the temperature "Danger Zone" of 5ºC to 57ºC (41ºF to 135ºF) too long. Up to a point, the rate of growth increases with an increase in temperature within this zone. Beyond the upper limit of the optimal temperature range for a particular organism, the rate of growth decreases. Operations requiring heating or cooling of food should be performed as rapidly as possible to avoid the possibility of bacterial growth.
  • RTE, TCS, Date Marking/On-Premises Preparation (corrected on site)
    Observation: Several containers of cooked foods prepared and held in the food establishment for more than 24 hours is not clearly marked to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded.
    Correction: Except when packaging food using a reduced oxygen packaging method as specified under section 3-502.12, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared and held in a food establishment for more than 24 hours shall be clearly marked to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded, based on the temperature of 5ºC (41ºF) or less for a maximum of 7 days. The day of preparation shall be counted as Day 1. A date marking system that meets the criteria of this section may include: (1) Using a method approved by the regulatory authority for refrigerated, ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food that is frequently rewrapped, such as lunchmeat or a roast, or for which date marking is impractical, such as soft serve mix or milk in a dispensing machine
  • Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils (corrected on site)
    Observation: Observed some utensils stored as clean but dirty to sight and touch.
    Correction: Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. The objective of cleaning focuses on the need to remove organic matter from food-contact surfaces so that sanitization can occur.
04/21/2015Risk Factor
  • In-Use Utensils, Between-Use Storage (repeated violation)
    Observation: Scoops and tongs were observed in standing water between use.
    Correction: During pauses in food preparation or dispensing, food preparation and dispensing utensils shall be stored: (A) In the food with their handles above the top of the food and the container
  • Wiping Cloths, Use Limitation (corrected on site) (repeated violation)
    Observation: Wiping cloths are not kept in sanitizing solution.
    Correction: Cloths in-use for wiping counters and other equipment surfaces shall be: (1) Held between uses in a chemical sanitizer solution at a concentration specified under section 4-501.114
  • Cooling, Cooked Food (corrected on site)
    Observation: Observed potatoes that were cooked at morning prep time (9am) at 52F in prep unit. Corrected by discarding.
    Correction: Cooked time/temperature control for safety food shall be cooled: (1) Within 2 hours from 57ºC (135ºF) to 21ºC (70ºF)
  • Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Cold Holding (corrected on site) (repeated violation)
    Observation: Observed cut lettuce 52F, and boiled eggs at 53F in prep unit. Corrected by discarding.
    Correction: Except during preparation, cooking, or cooling, or when time is used as the public health control as specified under section 3-501.19, and except as specified under paragraph (B) of this section, time/temperature control for safety food shall be maintained at 5ºC (41ºF) or less. Bacterial growth and/or toxin production can occur if time/temperature control for safety food remains in the temperature "Danger Zone" of 5ºC to 57ºC (41ºF to 135ºF) too long. Up to a point, the rate of growth increases with an increase in temperature within this zone. Beyond the upper limit of the optimal temperature range for a particular organism, the rate of growth decreases. Operations requiring heating or cooling of food should be performed as rapidly as possible to avoid the possibility of bacterial growth.
  • Equipment/Fixed, Spacing or Sealing
    Observation: The caulking on 3 compartment sink is in poor repair.
    Correction: Equipment that is fixed because it is not easily movable shall be installed so that it is: (1) Spaced to allow access for cleaning along the sides, behind, and above the equipment
  • Cutting Surfaces (repeated violation)
    Observation: The surfaces of the cutting boards are no longer able to be effectively cleaned and sanitized.
    Correction: Surfaces such as cutting blocks and boards that are subject to scratching and scoring shall be resurfaced if they can no longer be effectively cleaned and sanitized, or discarded if they are not capable of being resurfaced. Cutting surfaces such as cutting boards and blocks that become scratched and scored may be difficult to clean and sanitize. As a result, pathogenic microorganisms transmissible through food may build up or accumulate. These microorganisms may be transferred to foods that are prepared on such surfaces.
  • Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils/Clean
    Observation: The nonfood contact surfaces of the inside of the prep units, freezers, and handles of equipment are in need of cleaning. Fan Vents in prep units are in need of cleaning.
    Correction: Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris. The objective of cleaning focuses on the need to remove soil from nonfood contact surfaces so that pathogenic microorganisms will not be allowed to accumulate and insects and rodents will not be attracted.
  • Physical Facilities/Repairing
    Observation: The following is in poor repair: The prep unit on main line is leaking, the walk in door does not close properly, shelving is rusted and ceiling tile is missing over walk-in.
    Correction: Physical facilities shall be maintained in good repair. Poor repair and maintenance compromises the functionality of the physical facilities. This requirement is intended to ensure that the physical facilities are properly maintained in order serve their intended purpose.
  • Ventilation Systems/Cleaning/Nuisance and Discharge Prohibition (repeated violation)
    Observation: The hood above the grill and the hood above the oven is in need of cleaning. There is an accumulation of grease on hood above grills and an accumulation of dust on hood above ovens.
    Correction: Intake and exhaust air ducts shall be cleaned and filters changed so they are not a source of contamination by dust, dirt and other materials. Both intake and exhaust ducts can be a source of contamination and must be cleaned regularly. Filters that collect particulate matter must be cleaned or changed frequently to prevent overloading of the filter.
02/09/2015Routine
Defrost the chest freezers.
  • Critical: Contamination from Hands/Preventing Contamination by Employees (corrected on site)
    Observation: Food employees contacting exposed RTE foods(bread rolls and lettuce) with bare hands.
    Correction: Except when washing fruits and vegetables as specified under 3-302.15 or as specified in paragraph D of this section, food employees may not contact exposed, ready-to-eat food with their bare hands and shall use suitable utensils such as deli tissue, spatulas, tongs, single-use gloves, or dispensing equipment.
  • In-Use Utensils, Between-Use Storage (corrected on site)
    Observation: Scoops and tongs were observed in standing water.
    Correction: During pauses in food preparation or dispensing, food preparation and dispensing utensils shall be stored: (A) In the food with their handles above the top of the food and the container
  • Critical: Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Cold Holding (corrected on site)
    Observation: The following foods were observed cold holding at improper temperatures
    Correction: 1. Lettuce(57ºF) and tomato(54ºF) on the 4 door prep top (more ice was added). 2. Butter(57ºF) in the "Everfresh" refrigerator (ice was added and the butter was relocated).
  • Nonfood-Contact Surfaces/Nonabsorbent
    Observation: The nonfood-contact surfaces of the clothes as liners under cutting boards and the tape on the ice machine are not corrosion-resistant, nonabsorbent, and/or smooth.
    Correction: Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment that are exposed to splash, spillage, or other food soiling or that requires frequent cleaning shall be constructed of a corrosion-resistant, nonabsorbent, and smooth material. Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment routinely exposed to splash or food debris are required to be constructed of nonabsorbent materials to facilitate cleaning. Equipment that is easily cleaned minimizes the presence of pathogenic organisms, moisture, and debris and deters the attraction of rodents and insects.
  • Equipment/Good Repair and Proper Adjustment
    Observation: The following equipment are not maintained in good repair
    Correction: 1. The shelves are rusty. 2. The walk in cooler door is not self closing. 3. The "Beverage Air" freezer was observed at 35 F. 4. The 4 door prep refrigerator is not operating. 5. The cabinets in the hall are in poor repair.
  • Outer Openings, Protected
    Observation: The back door mess screen is ripped and the door was observed propped open.
    Correction: Provide an outer opening screen with a mesh that is 16 to 1 inch. Insects and rodents are vectors of disease-causing microorganisms which may be transmitted to humans by contamination of food and food-contact surfaces.
  • Ventilation Systems/Cleaning/Nuisance and Discharge Prohibition
    Observation: The ventilation hood system has not been cleaned since 10/18/13 and the hood is in need of cleaning.
    Correction: Intake and exhaust air ducts shall be cleaned and filters changed so they are not a source of contamination by dust, dirt and other materials. Both intake and exhaust ducts can be a source of contamination and must be cleaned regularly. Filters that collect particulate matter must be cleaned or changed frequently to prevent overloading of the filter.
06/09/2014Routine
  • Critical: RTE, PHF(TCS), Date Marking/On-Premises Preparation
    Observation: A few ready to eat food containers prepared and held in the food establishment for more than 24 hours are not clearly marked to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded.
    Correction: Except when packaging food using a reduced oxygen packaging method as specified under section 3-502.12, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous food (time/temperature control for safety food) prepared and held in a food establishment for more than 24 hours shall be clearly marked to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded, based on the temperature of 5ºC (41ºF) or less for a maximum of 7 days. The day of preparation shall be counted as Day 1. A date marking system that meets the criteria of this section may include: (1) Using a method approved by the regulatory authority for refrigerated, ready-to-eat potentially hazardous food (time/temperature control for safety food) that is frequently rewrapped, such as lunchmeat or a roast, or for which date marking is impractical, such as soft serve mix or milk in a dispensing machine
  • Critical: Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils (Critical)
    Observation: The prep table cutting board needs cleaning.
    Correction: Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. The objective of cleaning focuses on the need to remove organic matter from food-contact surfaces so that sanitization can occur.
  • Handwashing Signage
    Observation: A sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands is not provided at the bar hand sink.
    Correction: A sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands shall be provided at all handwashing sinks used by food employees and shall be clearly visible to food employees. A sign or poster is required to remind food employees to wash their hands.
10/18/2013Risk Factor
All cutting boards are worn out.
  • Critical: Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces and Utensils/Cleaning Frequency (Critical)
    Observation: The inside of the ice machine needs cleaning.
    Correction: Surfaces of utensils and equipment contacting potentially hazardous food (time/temperature control for safety food) may be cleaned less frequently than every 4 hours if equipment is used for storage of packaged or unpackaged food such as a reach-in refrigerator and the equipment is cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil residues.
  • Critical: Handwashing Sinks/Numbers and Capacities (repeated violation)
    Observation: There is not accessible hand sink at the bar there is a soda cooling unit in between the bar and the near hand sink.
    Correction: At least 1 handwashing sink, a number of handwashing sinks necessary for their convenient use by employees in food preparation, food dispensing, warewashing areas, and in, or immediately adjacent to toilet rooms
06/03/2013Risk Factor
  • In-Use Utensils, Between-Use Storage
    Observation: Serving utensils stored in standing water.
    Correction: During pauses in food preparation or dispensing, food preparation and dispensing utensils shall be stored: (A) In the food with their handles above the top of the food and the container
  • Wiping Cloths, Use Limitation
    Observation: Cloths in-use for wiping counters and other equipment surfaces are not held between uses in a chemical sanitizer solution of proper concentration
    Correction: and/or not laundered daily.
  • Cutting Surfaces
    Observation: The surfaces of the prep tables are no longer effectively cleaned and sanitized.
    Correction: Surfaces such as cutting blocks and boards that are subject to scratching and scoring shall be resurfaced if they can no longer be effectively cleaned and sanitized, or discarded if they are not capable of being resurfaced. Cutting surfaces such as cutting boards and blocks that become scratched and scored may be difficult to clean and sanitize. As a result, pathogenic microorganisms transmissible through food may build up or accumulate. These microorganisms may be transferred to foods that are prepared on such surfaces.
  • Critical: Handwashing Sinks/Numbers and Capacities
    Observation: There are not an adequate number of handwashing sinks necessary for the convenient use by employees, no hand sink at the bar.
    Correction: At least 1 handwashing sink, a number of handwashing sinks necessary for their convenient use by employees in food preparation, food dispensing, warewashing areas, and in, or immediately adjacent to toilet rooms
  • Intensity/Lighting
    Observation: The light intensity is below 50 foot candles where a food employee is working with food, at the bar were they are mixing drinks. .
    Correction: The light intensity shall be at least 540 lux (50 foot candles) at a surface where a food employee is working with food or working with utensils or equipment such as knives, slicers, grinders, or saws where employee safety is a factor. Lighting levels are specified so that sufficient light is available to enable employees to perform certain functions such as reading labels
  • Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions
    Observation: The floor under the cooling units are not cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean.
    Correction: Physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean. Cleaning of the physical facilities is an important measure in ensuring the protection and sanitary preparation of food. A regular cleaning schedule should be established and followed to maintain the facility in a clean and sanitary manner.
  • Drying Mops
    Observation: After use, the mop is not placed in a position that allows it to air-dry without soiling walls, equipment, or supplies.
    Correction: After use, mops shall be placed in a position that allows them to air-dry without soiling walls, equipment, or supplies. Mops can contaminate food and food preparation areas if not properly cleaned and stored after use. Mops should be cleaned and dried in a sanitary manner away from food flow areas.
01/16/2013Routine

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