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.

Banh Cuon Thang Long Restaurant

6757 Wilson Blvd., Falls Church

Inspected Feb. 8: one critical violation and no non-critical violations

The following food item(s) were observed cold holding at improper temperatures using a calibrated food temperature measuring device: Bean Sprouts (TRDC#1--45F), Rice Noodles (TRDC#1--72-73F, 57-59F), Shrimp Pockets (TRDC#1--62-67F, 59-68F), Bean Sprouts (TRDC#2--43-44F)

Elevation Burger

442-C S. Washington St., Falls Church

Inspected Feb. 7: two critical violations and no non-critical violations

When tested, the quaternary ammonium compound-based sanitizing solution was observed to be at a concentration less than what is required for effective sanitization of food-contact surfaces of equipment and utensils. Observed the sanitizing solution in the 3-vat sink and sanitizer bucket with a concentration of 150 ppm total quaternary ammonium compound. CFM corrected solution to 200 ppm.

Hai Ky Mi Gia

6757-24 Wilson Blvd., Falls Church

Inspected Feb. 6: no critical or non-critical violations

No violations were found during the inspection