Red Wok Buffet in Newberry, FL, cited for 22 health violations, follow-up needed

Red Wok Buffet selectionsPhoto byGoogle / Toxic_ Love

The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation conducted a routine inspection at Red Wok Buffet in Newberry, Florida, on April 9, 2024 and found several health code violations.

The buffet restaurant, a local choice for those seeking an all-you-can-eat buffet with vegan options and a kids' menu, is located at 24204 W Newberry Rd #2211 in Alachua County. The establishment was cited for 22 violations, including 2 high-priority, 4 intermediate, and 16 basic violations. Although an administrative complaint was recommended, Red Wok was not ordered to close.

High Priority Violations

The inspection revealed significant issues, including improper handwashing practices. An employee handled soiled equipment and then engaged in food preparation without washing hands, a critical lapse in hygiene standards.

Additionally, raw chicken was found stored above ready-to-eat food items, increasing the risk of cross-contamination.

Intermediate Violations

Several intermediate violations were also noted. Food-contact surfaces such as cutting boards and can openers were found soiled with food debris and mold-like substances.

The ice machine and tea machine water nozzles also required cleaning. There was also an issue with the handwash sink lacking paper towels, and some food items were not properly date marked.

Basic Violations

The majority of the violations were categorized as basic but still pointed to the need for improved standards. These included accumulation of debris inside the warewashing machine, damaged ceiling tiles, and employee drinks placed near food preparation areas. Other issues included wet nesting of utensils, equipment in disrepair, and food stored on the floor.

Red Wok Buffet has earned a 3.8-star rating from 353 Google reviews. However, the recent inspection highlights the need for the restaurant to address health and safety standards urgently.

This was also not Red Wok's first conflict with inspectors, as it previously faced emergency closure orders in April 2022 and June 2019 for violations posing public health risks, according to state records.

The current violations appear to align with some customer complaints about cleanliness and food quality at the buffet.

In a Google review, Maelisa Cruz described the restaurant as the "worst buffet ever" with "atrocious" cleanliness.

"The floor was so greasy my son fell down. The table was sticky all over," Cruz wrote. "I hope we don't get sick from the little bit of food we did eat."

Detailed List of Violations

High Priority Violations:

• Employee handled soiled equipment and then engaged in food preparation without washing hands.
• Raw animal food stored above/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.

Intermediate Violations:

• Food-contact surfaces soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime.
• No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.
• Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked.
• Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information.

Basic Violations:

• Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
• Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent, and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas.
• Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils.
• Employee chewing on toothpick while preparing food or while in a food prep/food storage/warewashing area.
• Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
• Equipment in poor repair.
• Food stored on floor.
• Hole in or other damage to wall.
• In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container.
• In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board.
• No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
• Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime, or dust.
• Screen in door torn/in poor repair.
• Stored food not covered.
• Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
• Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name.

While Red Wok has faced challenges in maintaining health standards, the restaurant's management has taken steps to correct some issues immediately during the inspection. Continued efforts will be crucial to ensuring a safe dining environment for all patrons.

NOTE: Please note that an inspection report, per the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, provides a snapshot of the conditions observed during the inspection. It's essential to recognize that the number of violations noted during an assessment may vary on different days, and a single review may only partially represent the all-around, long-term conditions at the establishment.