Downtown eatery cleans 'questionable growths' from ice machine after inspection

Soiling in an ice machine described as "questionable growths" at a popular downtown hangout was cleaned out and sanitized after a recent health inspection.

The ice machine was located in the basement of Flat Branch Pub and Brewing, 115 S. Fifth St., during a routine inspection Aug. 13. The cleaning and sanitization was complete by the restaurant's Aug. 16 reinspection.

Routine inspections happen two to three times per year based on priority and location of Columbia restaurants, Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services previously has said. Follow-up inspections happen if a critical violation is found. Restaurants usually can correct noncritical violations by the next routine inspection. Reports are from Aug. 13 through Monday, unless otherwise noted.

Last week's highlight , Sub Shop, 209 S. Eighth St., continues to fail to provide proof of a pest control visit. The restaurant was inspected Aug. 9 after a complaint. An inspector had found evidence of pests near a grease trap. The restaurant has not provided pest control proof in follow-ups on Aug. 15, Aug. 16 and Monday. The inspector required proof by 3 p.m. Thursday. If it wasn't received the restaurant is required to pay a $110 inspection fee. The follow-up report was not yet available when this story was submitted for publication.

Food storage issues

Staff at Mochi Mochi, 2707 Bernadette Drive, received a food-storage lesson during an Aug. 14 routine inspection. An inspector observed frozen chicken in a tub on the floor of the kitchen, a repeat violation. Food should be stored in a clean, dry location at least six inches off the floor and where it cannot be exposed to splash, dust or other contamination, the report noted. The tub was moved during the inspection and a discussion was held on storing them on sanitized food preparation surfaces when removing them from the freezer. The restaurant had a couple noncritical issues that also were addressed during the inspection. An ice scoop stored on top of ice in the ice machine was moved to a proper storage location and an unapproved fly trap was removed. This was after a discussion was held on approved traps that capture and contain dead flies.

There were issues relating to storage of strawberries, tomatoes and peppers in a walk-in cooler at Broadway Diner, 22 S. Fourth St. during the Aug. 16 routine inspection. The restaurant corrected the issue during the inspection, but the inspection report was nonspecific on how these items were "adulterated." The restaurant also had until Wednesday to address the noncritical, but repeat issue of the kitchen floor in disrepair. The follow-up report was not yet available when this story was submitted for publication.

Other routine inspections

An ice dam in an ice machine at Wingstop, 2703 E. Broadway Suite 236, was found soiled Aug. 14. It needed cleaning by Monday, but a follow-up report was not available when story submitted for publication. There also was no hydrogen-peroxide based sanitizer concentration test kit onsite, which also was needed by Monday. Soiling observed on nonfood contact surfaces of makeline coolers and french-fry storage racks needs cleaning by the next routine inspection in December. There also was a missing ceiling tile in the kitchen which needs replacement by December.

Mod Pizza, 21 Conley Road Suite U, had soiled soda nozzles Aug. 15 that were cleaned during the inspection. A discussion also was held with management on hair restraint requirements and obtaining a secondary temperature measuring device to ensure the heat sanitizing washing machine is reaching temperatures of 160 degrees Fahrenheit on the surface of a dish.

Noncritical issues at Popeye's Louisiana Chicken, 3700 Hyde Park Ave., can be addressed by the location's next routine inspection in December. This included soiled reach-in cooler gaskets and soiled handles on coolers and freezers throughout the establishment. Once clean, they need regular cleaning thereafter.

The Pasta Factory, 3103 W. Broadway, corrected critical issues of removing a dented can in dry storage, moving eggs from above ready-to-eat food in a walk-in cooler, and getting rid of ice from hand sink basin preventing its proper usage during its Aug. 16 inspection.

A few restaurants and other eateries were closed when inspections were attempted. This included Stir Fry 88 inside the Columbia Mall, 2300 Bernadette Drive Suite 708 on Aug. 14; Imperial Coffee House, 1725 Paris Road, on Aug. 14; and Wishflour Bakery, 1023 E. Walnut St. Suite 7, on Aug. 15.

Only one restaurant had no violations during its routine inspection. This was The Old Neighborhood Cafe at 2011 Corona Road Suite 101 on Aug. 13.

Other violations addressed by reinspection

A few local restaurants with earlier inspections had corrected violations by the recent reinspection.

Chili's Grill and Bar, 41 Conley Road, had a soiled ice machine Aug. 9. It was clean by the Aug. 14 reinspection. The restaurant also has until its next routine inspection in December to defrost a chest freezer.

Hooters, 1101 Woodland Springs Court is working to address issues in its bar area, an Aug. 15 reinspection report notes. Rusted racks that held glasses in a cooler were removed and new racks were ordered and a new bar dishwasher is on order as well. There is no other follow-up until the December routine inspection.

A soiled ice chute found Aug. 12 at Hawaiian Bros Island Grill, 1401 Grindstone Parkway, was cleaned by Aug. 15.

More: Downtown Columbia eatery inspected after complaint made to health department

Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on X, formerly Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Downtown eatery cleans 'questionable growths' from ice machine after inspection