Pizzerias, wine shop and even a church dinged by Ocean County restaurant health violations

Since January, the Ocean County Health Department has inspected 1,186 food establishments, including restaurants, mobile food trucks, convenience stores and other places selling food. Of all those places, 14 of them currently have a conditionally satisfactory rating as opposed to a satisfactory rating.

A conditionally satisfactory rating means that the establishment “needs improvement in several areas,” according to the Health Department website. A satisfactory rating means that the establishment was “in substantial compliance with State Health Codes.” And an unsatisfactory rating means that the establishment has “serious or unsafe conditions/violations.”

None of the 1,186 food establishments had an unsatisfactory rating. Inspections are updated weekly.

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New violations

• Wine O Land at 707 Jackson Mills Road in Jackson was cited for three violations. The inspection report recommended that the liquor store unclog its mop sink and clean the facility. It noted that it has spoiled pallets that need to be elevated.
• D’Alessio’s Pizza and Pasta at 3205 Route 88 in Point Pleasant was cited for one violation. The report stated that its food manager training has to be completed.
• Yeshiva Ohr Hachinuch at 924 New Hampshire Ave. in Lakewood was cited for two violations. The hot water in the bathroom was not working and the report recommended that the lunch room be cleaned up.
• Johnny G's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria at 1812 Hooper Ave. in Toms River was cited for three violations after a foodborne illness complaint. In addition to obtaining a new food manager certificate, the report required that at least one person with food safety knowledge is on shift at all times. It also required that the owner get a digital thermometer with a thin probe to ensure that its chicken is cooked to a minimum of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Vito's Sandwiches and Specialties at 2304 Route 35 in Toms River was cited for one violation. The report stated that the deli did not have a current food manager’s certification. It also notes that if food was going to be left out of temperature control, “a written procedure needed to be submitted to the health department.”
• Seaside Cigar and Convenience at 3101 Route 37 in Toms River was cited for eight violations. The store, which opened two months ago before a Health Department inspection, sold flavor vapes, which are banned in New Jersey. The report states that the store has also not submitted a floor plan to the Health Department and that its bathroom was blocked by supplies and equipment. The bathroom also lacked a waste container with a lid. Its cooler is also broken and two milk gallons were found to be at 62 degrees Fahrenheit. The walk-in cooling system had liquid on the floor and another cooler was turned off. The report recommended that the cooler either be removed from the store or turned on for use. It also recommended that the store get a recycling container and hang its mop up to dry.
• Whiting Bible Church at 95 Lacey Road in Manchester was cited for three violations. Due to a fire in kitchen, the church is undergoing renovations. The report recommended that the kitchen add a hand wash sink near the food preparation area, repair the faucet of the mop sink and install backflow prevention in the three-compartment sink.
• LT's Pizzeria at 399 Dover Road in Toms River was cited for 13 violations. The report stated that “multiple complaints (were) received by OCHD regarding roaches observed in multiple rooms.” Flies were also found. According to the report, there were multiple places in the wall where pests could get in. The floor trim was in “disrepair” and ceiling tiles needed to be fixed. In addition to the walls and ceiling, the report stated that the front counter cabinet had broken and bare wood, which needed to be fixed and sealed. Its urinal and kitchen hand sink faucet also needed repair. And the floor drain needed a cover. The report also found soiled food equipment being stored with clean equipment and syrup was leaking from its storage. Waste water was also being thrown outside instead of drained in the mop sink. The report recommended a general cleaning.
• Koi Sushi and Chinese at 629 Route 9 in the Lanoka Harbor section of Lacey was cited for two violations. The report stated that the restaurant had to provide a food manager certificate and a sushi hazard analysis and critical control point plan, which would manage the risk of foodborne illness.
• Harvest Buffet at 501 Route 9 in Waretown was cited for three violations. According to the report, the refrigerator broke and a new one is on its way. The report also stated that a mop holder and vacuum cleaner were blocking the sink in the bathroom.

Previous report:Dead roaches stuck on glue pads: 10 Ocean County restaurant health violations

Improvements

Since May, six establishments have improved from a conditionally satisfactory rating to a satisfactory rating.

• Pietro’s Italian Market at 19 Main St. in the New Egypt section of Plumsted had previously been cited for food storage issues and improper set ups. The new report states that the inspector “reviewed proper manual sanitizing (and) reviewed proper food holding temperatures.”
• Gyro Kingdom at 760 Mantoloking Road in Brick had previously been cited for lacking certain items including soap, towels and the completion of a food manager training course. The new report found nothing to report.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill at 74 Brick Plaza in Brick had previously been cited for cleanliness and a broken steam table. Since then, the steam table has been repaired.
• La Palma Villa Bakery and Fresh Market at 910 Hooper Ave. in Toms River had been cited for violations that included improper food stage and broken equipment. The new report rated the bakery satisfactory.
• All Star Bagel at 181 Route 37 in Toms River had previously been cited for broken equipment and food storage issues. The new report rated the bagel shop satisfactory, noting that a new freezer was being ordered, but the refrigerator door with a broken handle still had a broken handle.
• Corner Deli Café at 22 Central Ave. in Island Heights had previously been cited for uncovered food and general cleanliness issues. The new report rated the deli satisfactory.

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No new inspections

A restaurant, a food market and a food truck were not reinspected since receiving a conditionally satisfactory rating.

• Prime Food Market at 449 Herbertsville Road in Brick was cited for one violation. Its food manager certification needed to be renewed.
• Joe Spano's Tomato Pies at 2505 Bridge Ave. in Point Pleasant was cited for two violations. Its ice machine lid was broken and it needed a general cleaning.
• The food truck Shark Bait Mobile was cited for two violations. Its hand sink had a leak and it needed to be decluttered.

Olivia Liu is a reporter covering transportation, Red Bank and western Monmouth County. She can be reached at oliu@gannett.com.