Comments are taken directly from the latest Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) inspection reports, which are available for each food establishment, at the Thurston County Environmental Health Office and their website . For questions concerning these reports, contact the health office at 360-867-2667.
Report restaurant, grocery store, deli or bakery complaints online via the complaint form here: https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/phss/Pages/eh-problem.aspx .
Reading inspection scores:
- Attention should be given to the type of violation (red versus blue) and whether the establishment has a history of red violations or repeat violations.
- Red violations are those most likely to cause food-borne illness and must be corrected immediately if feasible or according to a compliance schedule established by the health officer. Example: not keeping food at the right temperature.
- Blue violations relate to the overall cleanliness and condition of operation and must be corrected according to a compliance schedule established by the health officer. Example: a worn floor that needs replacing.
- If red points exceed 45, the county will require a reinspection within 10 business days. A reinspection also is required if total red and blue points exceed 65.
- If red points exceed 100 and there’s a lack of managerial control, the county will shut down the establishment. The establishment may reopen after the person-in-charge develops a written course of action to correct all violations and demonstrates corrective action during a pre-opening inspection. Closures also may occur if there is an imminent health hazard, regardless of the total inspection points. The length of a closure may vary depending on the violation and timeframe for corrective actions.
- Some common abbreviations: PHF/TCS is potentially hazardous food/time control for safety; RTE is ready to eat; PIC is person in charge; FWC is food worker card; CDI is corrected during inspection.
Asahi Sushi
106 Legion Way SE, Olympia
Food Service Establishment
Oct. 8: 95 red points; 15 blue points.
Comments:
- The person-in-charge did not demonstrate active managerial control in the facility.
- A worker did not wash their hands after eating and before donning gloves.
- Non-continuous cooking was not done correctly in accordance with an approved plan.
- TCS foods in a big prep cold hold measured 46-50 degrees rather than at or below 41 degrees.
- The consumer advisory on the menu was inadequate. Each item that’s offered raw or undercooked must have an asterisk next to it that directs consumers to an advisory.
- A remodel project was conducted without approval and there was no plan for non-continuous cooking.
- The facility left sushi rice out at room temperature without submitting a variance plan and properly testing the plan.
- Records and dates were not kept for in-house parasite destruction.
- Two non-commercial temperature control units were installed in an expansion.
- All foods were not date marked. TCS foods that are kept for more than 24 hours must be date marked.
- No in-use sanitizer was present during the inspection.
PHSS did not close Asahi Sushi following the Oct. 8 inspection because the red point total did not surpass 100, according to PHSS spokesperson Renae Miller. The restaurant is due for a re-inspection within two-weeks of the inspection date, Miller said. Asahi Sushi confirmed it was still open for business on Tuesday.
Runia’s Soul Café
5757 Littlerock Road SW, Tumwater
Oct. 5: 45 red points; 0 blue points.
Comments:
- The person-in-charge did not take the temperature of TCS foods upon arrival to determine the safety status of the foods.
- No hand-washing equipment was available.
- Pakora was measured at 97-110 degrees one hour after preparation. The food was reheated to 165 degrees.
- No thermometer was available at the facility.
Pho Hoa Noodle Soup Lacey
1120 Galaxy Drive NE, Lacey
Oct. 10: 35 red points; 13 blue points.
Comments:
- The person-in-charge did not actively correct food staff regarding safe food handling and sanitary activity.
- Shredded chicken and cooked noodles were found cooling while covered in a pan deeper than 2 inches. The food measured 43-49 degrees.
- Cold help TCS foods measured 41-44 degrees rather than at or below 41 degrees.
- Tripe was observed thawing in a bucket of water. A worker corrected the deficiency by turning on and maintain cold running water.
- No in-use sanitizing towel was found.
- A dish-ware machine did not provide any sanitizer.
Kamakura Japanese Cuisine
4804 Pacific Ave. SE, Lacey
Oct. 10: 35 red points; 0 blue points.
Comments:
- A food handler card was expired.
- Some shrimp tempura was improperly cooled in a deep container on the makeline rather than in a fridge. Cooling TCS foods must be uncovered in a shallow pan less than 2-inches deep.
- The menu lacked a consumer advisory.
Panda Express
575 Trosper Road SW, Tumwater
Oct. 9: 35 red points; 0 blue points.
Comments:
- The person-in-charge failed to monitor the preparation of chicken from a fryer to sauté steps and did not verify temperatures.
- The inspector found chicken pieces staged or held at room temperature for too long. This resulted in reduced temperatures in the finished sautéed product.
- A food thermometer was not used to very temperatures.
Little Caesars
704 Trosper Road SW, Tumwater
Oct. 9: 25 red points; 0 blue points.
Comments:
- Pizzas saved for donation were found cooling in boxes that were stacked several high. The pizza temperatures ranged from 72-132 degrees. The pizzas must be cooled uncovered in a single layer until they reach 41 degrees within four hours.
Sweet Magnolia Co. and Coffee House
125 Tumwater Blvd. SE, Tumwater
Oct. 3: 20 red points; 0 blue points.
Comments:
- A food worker had an expired food worker card.
- TCS foods in a glass door cold hold unit measured greater than 41 degrees.
- There was no probe tip thermometer with adequate range for TCS cold foods.
Taco Time
3501 Pacific Ave. SE, Olympia
Oct. 9: 15 red points; 10 blue points.
Comments:
- The hand-wash sink was not equipped with soap.
- Shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes and mixed vegetables were cold held at 43-44 degrees. Cold held TCS foods must at or below 41 degrees.
- An in-use sanitizer solution was too weak as prepared.
- A can opener had evidence of food debris build up.
Gull Harbor Mercantile
4932 Boston Harbor Road NE, Olympia
Grocery Stores and Confectioneries
Oct. 11: 15 red points; 0 red points.
Comments:
- Raw eggs were stored over milk in the walk-in. Raw animal products must be stored below ready-to-eat foods.
- Tofu in a produce open air cold hold were greater than 41 degrees. Cold held TCS foods must be at or below 41 degrees.
Spud’s Produce Market
2828 Capitol Blvd. SE, Olympia
Grocery Stores and Confectioneries
Oct. 4: 10 red points; 0 blue points.
Comments:
- The front open-air cold hold case had TCS food items that were above 41 degrees.
- The open-air cold hold case lacked an ambient thermometer.
Saint Martin’s Harned Hall Espresso
5300 Pacific Ave. SE, Lacey
Oct. 10: 0 red points; 10 blue points.
Comments:
- An in-use sanitizer solution was too weak as prepared.
- Sanitizer test strips were not available during the inspection.
No violations
- Boston Harbor Marina . 312 73rd Ave. NE, Olympia. Grocery Stores and Confectioneries. Food Service Establishment.
- Gull Harbor Mercantile . 4932 Boston Harbor Road NE, Olympia. Deli, Coffee Shop and Meat Market.
- Zittel’s Marina . 9144 Gallea Street NE, Olympia. Grocery Stores and Confectioneries.
- Nana Pattaya Thai Express LLC . 4242 Capitol Blvd. SE, Tumwater. Food Service Establishment.
Local News
