Three Critical Violations Each for Two 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.

German Gourmet

5838 Columbia Pike, Falls Church

Inspected Dec. 28: three critical violations, one non-critical violation

“Observed an ambient temperature above 45°F in the True 2-Door prep cooler refrigeration unit holding raw shells eggs.”

San Miguel Café

5900-B Leesburg Pike, Falls Church

Inspected Dec. 28: three critical violations, one non-critical violation

“Observed that sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands is not provided at all hand washing sinks used by food employees. Hand washing signs are missing in the restroom.”

Rubio’s Palenque

5863 Columbia Pike, Falls Church

Inspected Dec. 28: two critical violations, nine non-critical violations

“The hand washing facility located kitchen is blocked, preventing access by employees for easy hand washing. Observed hand washing sink holding trash inside of sink.