Critical Violations at Three Falls Church Restaurants

In Virginia, restaurant inspection reports are not quite as simple as getting a letter grade or an easy-to-see number rating to post in the front window.

With that said, we all want to know how our favorite restaurants stack up on cleanliness and sanitation.

A "critical violation" is one that "poses a direct or immediate threat to the safety of the food being served." Non-critical violations are generally related to cleaning or maintenance.

"Ideally, an operation would have no critical violations, or none which are not corrected immediately and not repeated. In our experience, it is unrealistic to expect that a complex, full-service food operation can routinely avoid any violations," according to the Virginia Department of Health's website.

The site continues: "Keep in mind that any inspection report is a 'snapshot' of the day and time of the inspection. On any given day, a restaurant could have fewer or more violations than noted in the report. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term cleanliness of an establishment."

In the past month, the following Falls Church restaurants have been inspected by the VDH. The full reports can be accessed on the health department's website.

Bruegger’s Bagels

7393-D Lee Highway, Falls Church

Inspected March 15: two critical violations, no non-critical violations

The following food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: in cold hold top #2 (distal to cash register): sliced ham at 43F, sliced turkey at 44F, butter at 65F.

Arby’s

8127 Lee Highway, Falls Church

Inspected March 12: one critical violation, eight non-critical violations

Upon discussion with the person-in-charge, one or more of the elements of an effective employee health policy is either missing or incomplete. A complete employee health policy is required to be in place at the food establishment. At the time of this inspection, the Health Department provided and reviewed handouts and resource information in a red folder labeled "Employee Health Policy." Observation: Manager was aware of program and FCHD folder and documentation was located, but no action has been taken; discussed importance of policy and implementation.

Athens Restaurant

3541 Carlin Springs Rd., Falls Church

Inspected March 12: four critical violations, six non-critical violations

Raw animal food stored over ready-to-eat food in the following refrigeration units: 1) Observed raw chicken gyro being stored over pickles in the Imperial 1DR upright cooler, 2) Observed a box of raw shell eggs being stored on the top shelf in the walk in cooler over various ready to eat foods.