Alexandria Restaurant Inspections: Rat Droppings Found In Basement

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The latest restaurant inspections are posted for the first half of February, and there's a mix of restaurants with violations and no violations.

The Alexandria Health Department's environmental health specialist regularly inspects restaurants and other food service establishments around the city. Each food service establishment gets at least one inspection per year, but the frequency of inspections is based on the type of food prepared and how it is prepared, according to the Virginia Department of Health inspection database. Inspections may be routine visits, follow-up inspections, training inspections, pre-opening inspections, or risk assessment or complaint inspections.

Reports are typically available a week after the inspection. Residents can search for a specific restaurant or browse a map of inspected locations through the online database.

Below are reports for the first half of February at restaurants around Alexandria. One of the notable violations was rat droppings found in the basement at Vaso's Mediterranean Bistro. Health inspectors discussed inspecting for pests and cleaning with the restaurant. The person in charge at the restaurant planned to follow up with a contractor to find and remediate where pests could be getting in.

Click on each link to see the full report for the restaurants.

Subway #43173: 2421 Eisenhower Ave. Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 15 (routine)

Violations: The handwashing facility located at the back of house is blocked by a Venus Fly trap plant and trash bags preventing access by employees for easy handwashing; lockers or other suitable facilities are not provided for employees clothing and other possessions.

Peking Express: 514 S. Van Dorn St F Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Feb. 15 (routine)

Violations: Unwrapped or uncovered food (raw chicken and cooked chicken) stored in the walk-in cooler; uncovered raw animal food (chicken) stored directly next to uncovered ready-to-eat food (fried chicken) in the walk-in cooler; outer opening of the food establishment is not protected against entry of insects and rodents, as the back door was observed propped open; observed an employee removing skin from raw chicken with the bucket of raw chicken on the floor; walls throughout the kitchen noted in need of cleaning.

San Antonio Bar & Grill: 200 Swamp Fox Rd Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 15 (routine)

Violations: The person in charge failed to have no violations of priority items during the current inspection; chlorine sanitizing solution used was not at an acceptable concentration at the bar dish machine 0ppm; ice machine observed with black build up on ceiling of machine, chute and sensor; soda gun at the bar was observed with excessive black build up; potentially hazardous foods were not cooled from 135°F to 41°F within a total of 6 hours: Rice (45°F), Cooked Chicken (45°F, 46°F), White Rice (44°F) (pans were observed with plastic wrap that had condensation and were packed full of food, were not spaced out for proper cooling); sauce with meat(45°F) cold holding at improper temperatures in the cold line; ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous food being held for more than the specified time/temperature allowed: Masitas made on (2/4/23); food containers for cooling food are arranged so as not allow for maximum heat transfer.

Junction Bakery & Bistro: 1508 Mt. Vernon Ave Alexandria, VA 22301

Last inspection: Feb. 15 (follow-up)

Violations: No violations found.

Thai Peppers Restaurant: 2018 Mt. Vernon Ave Alexandria, VA 22301

Last inspection: Feb. 14 (routine)

Violations: Observed gaps where cold air was coming in at the exit door: door needs to be air tight to prevent any pest entry; observed mop stored, faced down in the mop bucket.

Sonoma Cellar: 207 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 14 (routine)

Violations: No violations found.

Pho Vietflare Restaurant: 514 S. Van Dorn St B Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Feb. 14 (routine)

Violations: The Person in Charge (PIC) provided an expired Food Protection Manager Card (expiration = 16-October-2022); handwashing facility located in the kitchen area is blocked by a stainless steel prep table, preventing access by employees for easy handwashing; no hot water (at or above 85°F) provided at the handwashing sink in the kitchen area; prepared ready-to-eat boiled chicken and egg rolls in the left reach-in cooler in the kitchen and the rice and spring rolls in the right reach-in cooler in the kitchen are not properly dated for disposition; no system in place for properly date marking prepared ready-to-eat foods; meatballs stored directly in water inside the top of the left prep cooler; eggs rolls stored inside a black plastic bin on the floor, in front of the dish machine; nonfood contact surfaces of the stove and fryer had accumulations of grime and debris; floors and walls in the kitchen noted in need of cleaning.

Van Dorn Diner: 281 S. Van Dorn St Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Feb. 14 (routine)

Violations: Observed container of chili date marked with a preparation date of 2/7/23; observed two different unlabeled chemical spray bottles by kitchen swinging door; observed gaps along bottom of rear exit door; observed end of hose sitting in mop sink basin; observed accumulation of dust on fan in back kitchen and inside hood system over back oven; observed missing light shield over dish machine/clean dishes.

California Tortilla: 3672 King Street Alexandria, VA 22302

Last inspection: Feb. 14 (routine)

Violations: Soap was not provided at the hand washing lavatory near the pick up location; observed cooked chicken (132) in the vulcan HH unit and cooked chicken (120) on the serve line hot holding at improper temperatures.

Lady Camellia: 229 Strand St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 14 (routine)

Violations: No violations found.

Bad Ass Coffee: 2466 Mandeville Ln Alexandria, VA 22332

Last inspection: Feb. 14 (pre-opening)

Violations: No violations found.

Cortado Cafe: 4543 Duke St Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Feb. 13 (follow-up)

Violations: No violations found.

Genova Pizza: 4614 Kenmore Ave Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Feb. 13 (routine)

Violations: Soap was not provided at the hand washing lavatory in the kitchen; multiple ready-to-eat (RTE) commercially processed TCS foods in the WIC were not properly dated for disposition after opening; observed shredded mozzarella cheese stored in the WIC in cardboard boxes in direct contact with the cardboard box; observed the 3 bay sink faucet leaking.

Monterey's Pizza: 1000 N Fayette St. Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 13 (routine)

Violations: Pizza sauce (in big container) for which time rather than temperature is being used as a control was not labeled or otherwise marked with a 4 hour cook, serve or discard by time.

La Casa Restaurant: 4551 Duke St A Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Feb. 13 (risk factor)

Violations: Observed food employee plate potato chips with bare hands; observed soda gun holder at bar had white, slimy build-up; observed chlorine sanitizer at less than 50 PPM in three-compartment sink; prepared ready-to-eat (RTE) foods- including but not limited to soup, cooked eggplant, ham, and tuna salad- in refrigeration units were not labeled with a "consume by" date; observed two unlabeled chemical spray bottles.

Citrus & Sage: 801 N. St. Asaph St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 10 (routine)

Violations: Observed salmon and tuna thawing in the vacuum packaging at grill drawers; in-use utensils improperly stored between use: utensils next to the espresso machine were in water that was below 135 F; cold water faucet for the handwashing sink next to the WIC is not in good repair: cold water is slowly dripping but not coming out in full force; walk-in freezer floor tiles are in bad repair.

Thai Signature: 722 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 10 (training)

Violations: Training inspection only

McDonald's Restaurant #7560: 505 S. Van Dorn St Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Feb. 10 (routine)

Violations: Raw ground beef (48, 49) cold holding at improper temperatures inside the 2-drawer undercounter cooler (holding inside the cooler for less than 2 hours); chlorine sanitizer solution in 3 sanitizer buckets was measured at 0ppm; 2-drawer undercounter cooler was observed in a state of disrepair (not properly cold holding TCS foods and ambient air temperature measured at 47 F) and condition preventing effective maintenance and easy cleaning.

The Coffee Room: 205 S Whiting St 100 Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Feb. 10 (routine)

Violations: No violations found.

CAVA Mezze Grill #10016: 4513 Duke St. Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Feb. 9 (routine)

Violations: Observed quaternary ammonium sanitizer dispensing sanitizer at inconsistent concentrations below 150 PPM; observed harissa chicken at 120F and regular chicken at 132F in left mobile order steam well; observed the following time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods at the following temperatures: rice at 65F in open air salad cooler; cut tomatoes at 58F and lentils at 55F in mobile order counter unit; Observed open air salad cooler had an ambient temperature of 50F-53F, observed metal fragments at base of can opener blade; no irreversible temperature measuring device available for measuring sanitizing temperature of hot water mechanical warewashing machine.

Turkish Coffee Lady: 1001 King St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 9 (routine)

Violations: There is no certified food protection manager to supervise the food establishment's food service employees; mechanical refrigeration unit is not currently operating as required to cold hold food at a temperature of 41°F or less: 1 door cooler upstairs.

Sweetgreen: 823 King St Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 9

Violations: No violations found.

Pho 95: 265 S. Van Dorn St Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Feb. 9 (routine)

Violations: Observed food employee handle raw beef then change tasks without washing hands; observed handwashing sink by dish machine was blocked by buckets; observed cook line handwashing sink had a maximum temperature of 55F; observed visible gaps under both entry doors; Observed rice scoop stored in stagnant room temperature water; observed multiple areas of kitchen were in need of cleaning, including but not limited to floor under cooking equipment, spaces between equipment and counters, floor between counter and server cooler, ceiling around vent above rice cooker.

Light Horse: 715 King St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 9 (routine)

Violations: There is no certified food protection manager to supervise the food establishment's food service employees; employees or applicants are not aware of the reporting procedures concerning information about their health as they relate to the symptoms caused by illness, infection, or other source that is associated with an acute gastrointestinal illness or a lesion; food establishment has not established written procedures for cleaning up vomiting or diarrheal events that happen in the facility; open drinking containers stored in a manner that may contaminate food, food contact surfaces or utensils: open coffee cup on the cook line; different types of raw animal foods stored in such a manner that may cause cross contamination as follows: raw chicken stored behind raw burgers in the grill drawers; multiple sheets trays in the walk-in cooler observed not in the process of cooling were left uncovered; equipment/utensils were observed soiled to sight and touch: potato cutter and dicer; due to improper operation of the mechanical warewashing machine, equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils are not sanitized after cleaning; TCS foods in the hot well observed improperly hot holding below 135°F: shredded pork 107°F, shredded chicken 109°F, marinara 131°F; TCS foods in the walk-in cooler observed improperly cold holding above 41°F; improper methods used to thaw ROP tuna in the walk-in cooler; front door to the establishment left open during hours of operation; observed bottle of whip cream stored in the ice machine; crabcakes observed in container of undrained water on the cook line; need air gap with a diameter that is at least twice the diameter of the water supply inlet and not less than for proper backflow prevention; light shields observed damaged and cracked above the cook line.

TGI Friday's #193: 4650 King St Alexandria, VA 22302

Last inspection: Feb. 9 (routine)

Violations: Chemical sanitizer generated by a device located on-site at the food establishment is not operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions; multiple TCS foods in the WIC Cold holding at improper temperatures. 5 trays of cooked pork ribs (45), 8 trays of chicken wings (45), spinach dip (45), cooked potatoes (45), and spring rolls (45), multiple prepared ready-to-eat (RTE) TCS foods in the refrigeration units along the cookline are not properly dated for disposition; observed fruit flies on the margarita rim dip sponge; observed in-use utensils stored in a bucket of sanitizer under the sushi prep table; cutting board(s) along the small prep unit are heavily scratched and scored.

Del Ray Cafe: 205 E. Howell Ave Alexandria, VA 22301

Last inspection: Feb. 8 (follow-up)

Violations: No violations found.

Glory Days Grill: 3141 Duke St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: No disposable towels were provided a the hand washing lavatory at the bar handwashing sink; food item(s) from damaged packaging were found offered for sale or service: tomato sauce; equipment/utensils were observed soiled to sight and touch: onion slicer under the prep line; ice machine chute was observed with black build up; diced tomatoes (45°F) cold holding at improper temperatures; cheese blend (48°F) and salsa (45°F) cold holding at improper temperatures at the small expo station; ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous food in the refrigeration unit is not used within 24 hours of preparation and is not properly dated for disposition within 7 days at 41°F: prepared wings and prepared ranch in the walk in cooler; observed sanitizer bucket with quaternary ammonium at a concentration of 0ppm; tongs used by the wait staff was observed in contact with the fries; hotel pans, inserts were found stacked while wet after cleaning and chemical sanitization; caulking by the 3 compartment sink and in the dish machine area is not maintained in good repair; wall behind the dish machine and the caulking is in need of cleaning.

South China Restaurant: 1302 Mt. Vernon Ave Alexandria, VA 22301

Last inspection: Feb. 7 (follow-up)

Violations: Observed noodles and cabbage on the cart with no label or marking for the time that the product was taken out of refrigeration.

Los Cuates Restaurant: 1116 King St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 7 (routine)

Violations: The handwashing facility located at the bar is blocked, preventing access by employees for easy handwashing; no disposable towels were provided a the hand washing lavatory in the dish area; sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands is not provided at all lavatories used by food employees; ice machine located in the down stairs storage area was observed with an accumulation build up in the ice machine; cheese and butter (45°F) cold holding at improper temperatures in the 2 door lowboy located in the downstairs storage area; in-use utensils improperly stored between use, knife was stored between the cold holding unit and the hot wells; cutting board(s) along the cook line are heavily scratched and scored; mechanical refrigeration unit is not currently operating as required to cold hold food at a temperature of 41°F or less.

Sardi's Pollo A La Brasa: 1480 N. Beauregard St Alexandria, VA 22311

Last inspection: Feb. 7 (routine)

Violations: Observed multiple TCS foods in all three prep units, items on the grill, and in the hot holding unit out of temperature; no sanitizer or a low concentration of chemical sanitizer was found in both the wiping cloth bucket and the sanitize basin at the 3 bay sink; observed cooked veggies - zucchini, squash, and carrots (121), cooked chicken (130), and fried rice (130) in the alto shaam hot holding unit as well as cooked corn (108) and cooked yams (130) on the grill hot holding at improper temperatures; observed butter lettuce (49-51), cooked potatoes (44), cut cabbage (42), and milk (43) in the left prep unit, sliced tomatoes (43) in the middle prep unit, and sliced tomatoes (42-50), feta (42-50), and pico (45) in the right prep unit cold holding at improper temperatures.

King Street Cafe: 1018 King St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 6 (routine)

Violations: No disposable towels were provided a the hand washing lavatory in the back of the house; handwashing facility located at the back of house is blocked, preventing access by employees for easy handwashing; prepared ready-to-eat (RTE) sliced tomatoes in the refrigeration unit is not properly dated for disposition; handles of utensils were observed in a state of repair and condition preventing effective maintenance and easy cleaning.

Roha Ethiopian Restaurant: 291 S. Van Dorn St. Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Feb. 6 (routine)

Violations: Observed facility is clarifying butter, cooling, then holding at room temperature.

Red Lobster Restaurant #0235: 555 S. Van Dorn St Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Feb. 6 (routine)

Violations: Water from the handwashing sink in the dish washing machine area was measured at 61°F, a temperature less than 85°F.

Yunnan By Potomac- Noodle House: 814 N. Fairfax St Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 6 (follow-up)

Violations: The person in charge failed to have no violations of priority items during the current inspection; multiple employees were observed not washing their hands when they became contaminated; no certified food protection manager to supervise the food establishment's food service employees; observed food employees using improper handwashing procedures; water from the handwashing sink in the back of house located next to the prep sink was measured at a temperature less than 100°F; no disposable towels were provided a the hand washing lavatory in the back of house; prep sink and hand sink plumbing in poor repair.

Mai Thai Restaurant: 6 King St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 6 (risk factor)

Violations: Dispensing utensils improperly stored between: stored in room temperature water.

Tequila & Taco: 540 John Carlyle St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 6 (risk factor)

Violations: Raw and/or undercooked food (fried eggs on the brunch menu) is/are offered on the menu, menu board, table tent or brochure without proper disclosure.

Los Tios Grille: 2615 Mt. Vernon Ave Alexandria, VA 22301

Last inspection: Feb. 6 (risk factor)

Violations: Observed a container of pinto beans that was made yesterday not being adequately cooled to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

Starbucks at Giant Food #261: 3131 Duke St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 4 (routine)

Violations: No violations found.

Chadwicks: 203 Strand St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 3 (follow-up)

Violations: No violations found.

Galae Thai: 215 Hoffman Street, Alexandria, VA, USA Alexandria, VA 22331

Last inspection: Feb. 2 (follow-up)

Violations: No violations found.

Vermilion: 1120 King St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 2 (routine)

Violations: No violations found.

Vaso's Mediterranean Bistro: 1118 King St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 1 (routine)

Violations: A food employee failed to wash his or her hands before engaging in food preparation, after touching bare human body parts, after coughing, sneezing, eating, after handling soiled utensils or after engaging in any activity which may have contaminated his/her hands; food employee was observed cleaning their hands in a food preparation sink or a sink used for utensil washing; soap was not provided at the hand washing lavatory in the kitchen; surfaces of ice bins, beverage dispensing nozzles, and enclosed components of equipment are not being cleaned as required; rat droppings were observed in the basement.

Thompson Italian: 1024 King St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 1 (routine)

Violations: Soap was not provided at the hand washing lavatory in the prep area; ricotta (46°F) cold holding at improper temperatures at the Right Cold Line (37°F ambient temperature); in-use utensils improperly stored between use, utensils observed stored in standing room temperature water on the cookline in two places.

Makeda Ethiopian Restaurant: 516 A/B S Van Dorn St. Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Feb. 1 (routine)

Violations: There was no Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) present during inspection to supervise the food establishment's food service employees; concentration of the chlorine sanitizer in the bar dish machine was not adequate (0ppm); observed the following time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items cold holding at improper temperatures: -Ice bath (ice contacting bottom of food container only): Tomato sauce (60°F), Feta cheese (50°F); establishment is preparing quanta (dehydrating beef and leaving at room temperature for the day) without a variance or approved HACCP plan; observed food items (green beans, onions, carrots) stored on the floor; wet wiping cloths were not kept in sanitizing solution between use; observed single-use containers being reused for food storage; hand sink in the kitchen adjacent to the dish machine and the hand sink in the employee restroom were not effectively sealed to the wall; test kit for chlorine sanitizing solution was not available during inspection; door to the employee restroom was not self-closing; wet mops were not hung to air dry between use.

China Cafe: 1039 W. Glebe Rd Alexandria, VA 22305

Last inspection: Feb. 1 (routine)

Violations: The handwashing facility located at the front counter is blocked, preventing access by employees for easy handwashing; fried chicken for which time rather than temperature is being used as a control was not labeled or otherwise marked with a 4 hour cook, serve or discard by time; cutting board(s) along the prep area are heavily scratched and scored; caulking at hand wash sink was observed in a state of repair and condition preventing the equipment to be used as designed; no covered refuse container for the disposal of feminine napkins in the ladies room stall.

Sushijin Restaurant: 3470 Berkley St #303 Alexandria, VA 22302

Last inspection: Feb. 1 (routine)

Violations: The handwashing station at the serve line is being used as a dump station for food; no disposable towels were provided a the hand washing lavatory near the 3 bay sin; Sushi rice (122) for which time rather than temperature is being used as a control was not labeled or otherwise marked with a 4 hour cook, serve or discard by time.

Daniel O'Connell's Restaurant: 112 King St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 1 (routine)

Violations: No violations found.

Blackwall Hitch: 5 Cameron St Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 1 (follow-up)

Violations: No violations found.

Dos Amigos Restaurant: 535 E. Braddock Rd Alexandria, VA 22314

Last inspection: Feb. 1 (routine)

Violations: Interior components of the ice machine were observed to be soiled; observed a few chemical spray bottles with no labels; observed container of utensils stored in 80 F water, also observed ice scoop stored with the handle not facing upwards.

Bagel Uprising: 2307 A Mt Vernon Ave Alexandria, VA 22301

Last inspection: Feb. 1 (routine)

Violations: The handwashing facility located at the front is blocked, preventing access by employees for easy handwashing; observed cream cheese stored in the countertop unit to be cold holding at improper temperatures (above 41 F).

Cafe Aurora: 50 S. Pickett St 24 Alexandria, VA 22304

Last inspection: Feb. 1 (follow-up)

Violations: No handwash lavatory in the kitchen, preventing routine handwashing by food workers.