Public health report: Nearly 40% of spring inspections result in health citations

March was a busy month in Waltham’s health department. Inspectors examined 93 food facilities between Feb. 24 and March 26, including restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, hotels and nursing homes.

Inspectors found health violations at 37 of the facilities they inspected. The vast majority of those violations were not deemed critical. Inspectors found a few cleaning or temperature control violations they deemed critical and in need of immediate changes.

Inspector Ivan Colon added that, as of the time of publication, “everything is up to standard.”

Health complaints

Additionally, the Health Department acted on four new housing complaints and one new trash complaint reported to the department between Feb. 24 and March 26.

It closed four housing complaints made to the department in January, three of which pertained to pest control and one to heating issues. It has brought one other heat complaint into a court process.

It issued one new trash disposal fine during the same period to ReNew Apartments.

Retail and restaurants

Below is a summary of the violations at each of the five retail establishments and restaurants where inspectors found violations between Feb. 24 and March 26. Violations that inspectors designated as critical are marked with an asterisk.

Waltham India Market, 315 Moody St., on March 3

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• There were mouse droppings on the floor near food storage that required cleaning. *
• The restaurant needed to remove expired garlic butter from the shelves.
• The floor under the refrigerator, fryolator and storage equipment in the basement required cleaning.
• The floor in the basement freezer required cleaning.
• Some handwash sinks were not kept free of obstacles.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Caffè ollo, 241B Moody St., on March 4

Inspectors identified the following instance of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• A cutting board required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address this issue, which was corrected by the time of publication.

The Federal, 74 Tower Road, on March 4

Inspectors identified the following instance of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The restaurant’s fume hood required professional cleaning.

The owners were given 10 days to address this issue, which was corrected by the time of publication. 

The restaurant has since closed for unrelated reasons.

NY Pie, 934 Moody St., on March 4

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The restaurant’s hood vent panels required cleaning.
• The floor had some broken tiles that needed to be replaced.
• The floor of the walk-in cooler required repairs.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Steve’s Pizza, 1250 Main St., on March 4

Inspectors identified the following instance of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The restaurant’s fume hood required professional cleaning.

The owners were given 10 days to address this issue, which was corrected by the time of publication.

Costco Wholesale, 71 Second Avenue, on March 5

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The bottom of the meat storage cooler required cleaning.
• The floors of storage aisles had spilled rice and sugar that required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address this issue, which was corrected by the time of publication.

Pizzeria Enzina, 1056 Main St., on March 5

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The fume hood required cleaning.
• A handwash sink was not kept free of obstructions.

The owners were given five days to address this issue, which was corrected by the time of publication.

Penang, 569 Moody St., March 6

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The restaurant’s fume hood required professional cleaning.
• The restaurant was not keeping a handwash sink at the required temperature. *

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication. 

Dunkin Donuts, 73 Third Avenue., on March 9

Inspectors identified the following instance of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The dumpsters were not emptied regularly. *

The owners were given five days to address this issue, which was corrected by the time of publication.

The Prime Deli, 580 South St., on March 9

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The restaurant needed to exterminate mice.
• A piece of outside equipment required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Roots to Rise, 75 Third Avenue., on March 9

Inspectors identified the following instance of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The dumpsters were not emptied regularly. *

The owners were given five days to address this issue, which was corrected by the time of publication.

Athens Pizza, 671 Moody St., on March 10

Inspectors identified the following instance of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The kitchen had broken tiles that needed to be replaced.

The owners were given five days to address this issue, which was corrected by the time of publication.

New Dragon Chef, 677 Moody St., on March 10

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The restaurant’s fume hood required professional cleaning.
• The fume hood’s panels required cleaning.
• The walk-in required reorganizing.
• Part of the floor required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Absolutely Asia, 864 Main St., on March 11

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The food in the walk-in fridge was not all covered.
• The fume hood’s panels required cleaning.
• Cutting boards required cleaning.
• The hand sink was not supplied properly with paper towels.
• The wall by the walk-in fridge required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

AK’s Waltham, 551 South St., on March 12

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The restaurant’s fume hood required professional cleaning.
• The area around the grease barrels required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Asia Wok, 573 Main St., on March 12

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The bottom shelf of a refrigerator required cleaning.
• The floor under the fryolater required cleaning.
• Not all food stored in refrigerators was covered properly. *
• The window blinds required cleaning.
• The restaurant contained improperly stored knives.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Papa Gino’s, 1018 Lexington St., on March 12

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• A grease trap required cleaning.
• The area around the dumpster required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Cafe 51, 51 Sawyer Road, on March 15

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• There was a dead mouse that the restaurant needed to remove.
• The restaurant needed to exterminate mice.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Watch City Grill, 573 Main St., on March 12

Inspectors identified the following instance of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The restaurant’s fume hood required professional cleaning.

The owners were given 10 days to address this issue, which was corrected by the time of publication.

The Chateau Restaurant Waltham, 195 School St, on March 17

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The service bar fridge needed to be cleaned of glass.
• The area around the fryolator required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Market Basket, 110 Market Place Drive, on March 17

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• Grates at the store’s milk station had mold and needed cleaning.
• Fans in the dairy department required cleaning.
• The fish cooler had mold that required cleaning.
• The fans in the meat department required cleaning *
• The back walls of the green vegetable section required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

The Westin Waltham-Boston, 72 Third Ave., on March 17

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The kitchen ceiling had broken and missing tiles that needed to be replaced.
• A basement cooler needed its air grids replaced.
• The exhaust air vents over the fume hoods required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

John Brewer’s Tavern, 39 Main St., on March 19

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The beverage dispenser holder at the bar required cleaning.
• Cutting boards required cleaning.
• The emergency light required cleaning.
• The floor under the dishwasher required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Kentucky Fried Chicken, 501 Main St., on March 19

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The top of the chicken cooler required cleaning.
• The wall behind the fryolaters required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Moe’s Southwest Grill, 831 Main St., on March 19

Inspectors identified the following instance of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The area behind the restaurant’s grills required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address this issue, which was corrected by the time of publication.

Mu Lan Taiwanese Restaurant, 835 Main St., on March 19

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The restaurant contained improperly stored knives.
• The restaurant needed to exterminate mice in its basement.
• The grease bin and adjacent wall required cleaning.
• The restaurant needed to exterminate rats outside the building.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Waltham Council on Aging, 488 Main St., on March 19

Inspectors identified the following instance of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The facility’s dumpster had a hole and needed to be replaced.

The owners were given five days to address this issue, which was corrected by the time of publication.

Cafe on the Common, 677 Main St., on March 20

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The store’s front entrance was missing a doorsweep.
• The condiment fridge was missing handles.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Taqueria El Amigo, 196 Willow St., on March 20

Inspectors identified the following instance of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• A cutting board required cleaning

The owners were given five days to address this issue, which was corrected by the time of publication.

Maristhill Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, 66 Newton St, on March 23

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The floor behind the grill and fryolater required cleaning.
• The ceiling light cover above the rear door kitchen entrance required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Hannaford Supermarkets, 55 Russell St, on March 24

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The store’s egg, yogurt, and frozen berry shelves required cleaning.
• Ceiling fixtures in the bakery department required cleaning.
• The store was keeping ham in an open refrigerator below the required temperature. *
• The floor near trash barrels in the compactor room required cleaning.
• The floor under the fryolator required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Peipei’s Bakery, 873 Main St., on March 24

Inspectors identified the following instance of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The dumpster was not properly plugged.

The owners were given five days to address this issue, which was corrected by the time of publication.

Angel Tea, 331 Moody St., on March 26

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The back room required cockroach extermination. *
• The sink area required cleaning. *

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Bonchon Waltham, 329 Moody St., on March 26

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• Grates at the store’s milk station had mold that required cleaning.
• The fans in the dairy department required cleaning.
• The fish cooler had mold that required cleaning.
• The fans in the meat department required cleaning *
• The back walls of the green vegetable section required cleaning.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Embassy Suites Waltham, 550 Winter St., on March 26

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The fryolator’s bottom legs required cleaning.
• The condiment refrigerator had a loose door.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

Rassa, 458–470 Moody St., on March 26

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The area around the fryolater required cleaning.
• The restaurant was not keeping a handwash sink at the required temperature.
• The dumpster area required cleaning.
• The dumpster was not properly plugged.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, apart from the handwash sink, which they were given 24 hours to correct. All were corrected by the time of publication.

Star Market, 1070 Lexington St., on March 26

Inspectors identified the following instances of noncompliance with Waltham’s safety regulations:

• The restaurant was not keeping the handwash sink in the produce area at the required temperature. *
• Fan guards in the produce fridge needed to be replaced.
• The ceiling fan in the men’s room required repair.
• The egg fridge required cleaning.
• The restaurant was not keeping another handwash sink at the required temperature.

The owners were given five days to address these issues, which were corrected by the time of publication.

About Health Department inspections

Waltham’s Health Department conducts regular inspections of housing and food establishments to ensure compliance with the city’s safety codes. Twice a year it inspects each of the city’s restaurants, schools, lodging houses, nursing homes and any other businesses that serve food or are regulated by specific Waltham health codes to make sure they comply with the city’s safety regulations. Its inspectors also investigate complaints about pests, trash management on private properties and other environmental hazards.

It’s common for establishments to have minor violations during inspections, and when a business is found to be unsatisfactory, the department sets a deadline for the owners to correct any violations — usually five days from the date of inspection. Colon told The Waltham Times that restaurants and other businesses generally resolve all of their violations by the deadline. 

Colon said if the Health Department finds a violation at a restaurant or other food establishment that causes immediate and severe health concerns, or finds three or more violations the department counts as “critical,” it will close the business until it determines the business is safe for patrons.

All information was obtained from public records requests to the Waltham Health Department.