Food inspector finds Republic restaurant without AC in kitchen

If you're having trouble staying cool this week, you're not alone: A lack of air conditioning in a Republic restaurant's kitchen meant its coolers couldn't hold cold food at 41 degrees or lower, according to a Springfield-Greene County Health Department food inspection report from Aug. 21.

The report noted that McAlister's Deli, 590 E. Harrison St., had to discard all potentially hazardous food — roast beef, lettuce, tomatoes, mayonnaise — that had been above 41 degrees. Until the air conditioning is fixed, the restaurant said it would use time-only control for potentially hazardous foods.

According to the SGCHD food worker handbook, time as a control dictates how long hot or cold food can safely be held at a temperature below 165 degrees or higher than 41 degrees, respectively. With cold food, any leftovers must be thrown away once it's been above 41 degrees for six hours.

Food inspections take place one to three times a year, depending on the type of food served, the population served, difficulty of food preparation and past history. Restaurants preparing food from raw ingredients are inspected more often "than convenience stores that serve only non-potentially hazardous foods, such as popcorn and soda," according to the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.

Each report identifies what was happening at the establishment at that time. Consumers who want to know whether a violation is a one-time thing or a pattern are encouraged to refer to previous reports.

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Issues found during inspection fall into either priority or non-priority violations. Priority violations impact the safety of the food, such as cross contamination between raw and ready-to-eat food, improper food temperature and poor personal hygiene and employee health. Multiple priority violations can lead to an establishment being shut down. Non-priority violations alone do not directly affect food safety, such as dirty floors, sticky tabletops or outside trash cans not being covered.

Here are food inspections from the past week:

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American Legion Post No. 639, 2660 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield. Aug. 21 routine inspection – Result: active. Core items corrected from last routine inspection: Thin-probe thermometer available and test strips for quat available at bar. One priority violation: Observed several containers of pizza toppings past discard date, which were voluntarily discarded and corrected on site. One non-priority violation: Observed cook not wearing hair restraint, and agreed to wear a hat.

Amigo's Mexican Restaurant, 2118 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. Aug. 21 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Three priority violations: 1. Observed two-door prep cooler's ambient temperature was 52 degrees Fahrenheit. Lettuce tested at 56 degrees, tomato at 58 degrees, sour cream at 62 degrees, pico de gallo at 55 degrees and multiple other food items tested above 41 degrees. All potentially hazardous foods were discarded and the person in charge immediately called repair services to have unit looked at. Education provided. Cooler not allowed to be used until repairs are made. Education provided and reinspection required. 2. Observed queso being held on stove at 70 degrees, as stove was not turned on. Queso had been placed on the stove about 30 minutes prior to temperature testing. Queso was reheated to 165 degrees and placed in steam wells to be hot held. Education was provided and violation corrected on site. 3. Observed multiple food items held for longer than 24 hours in coolers were not date marked. Education provided and corrected on site. No non-priority violations.

Amigo's Mexican Restaurant, 2118 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. Aug. 22 re-inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Two-door prep table still unable to hold 41 degrees and below. Re-inspection required to confirm use of new cooler or additional repairs made to old cooler that enable it to hold 41 degrees or below. No potentially hazardous foods will be stored in the two-door prep table until re-inspection occurs. No violations cited.

Ariake, 1110 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. Aug. 17 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.

Bair's All-American Sports Grill, 3821 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. Aug. 17 re-inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Two priority violations: 1. Observed low-boy cooler holding potentially hazardous foods at 55 degrees to 58 degrees, including hamburger, eggs and various cheeses, which were all discarded. Repeat violation. 2. Observed walk-in cooler holding potentially hazardous foods from 42 degrees to 44 degrees. Manager agrees to call repair company immediately. Repeat violation and future repeat cold holding violations will result in risk control plan being issued. No non-priority violations.

Bair's All-American Sports Grill, 3821 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. Aug. 21 re-inspection – Result: active. Priority items corrected: Walk-in cooler now holding at 41 degrees as required; low-boy prep cooler is empty and new unit has been ordered.

Biggs Two LLC, Springfield. Aug. 21 change of ownership inspection – Result: active. Change of ownership inspection. Facility approved to open.

Bigshots Golf Springfield, 1930 E. Kearney St., Springfield. Aug. 22 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited during inspection.

Boys & Girls Club Musgrave Unit, 720 S. Park Ave., Springfield. Aug. 22 re-inspection – Result: active. Boys & Girls Club Musgrave Unit sent the inspector a copy of the pest report from their pest control company in response the non-priority violation of mouse droppings being found in kitchen and storeroom. No violations cited.

Buckingham Smokehouse BarBQ, 2002 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. Aug. 17 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed four bins of fries, two tins of sweet potato fries and two tins of okra not marked for time as control. All items not marked for time as control were voluntarily discarded. Education was provided and violation was corrected on site.

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Casa Bella II, 300 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. Aug. 18 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.

Casey's General Store No. 2679, 3120 W. Republic Road, Springfield. Aug. 18 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: Observed bun boards on prep coolers are scored and should be replaced; observed seal on top of pizza prep cooler is coming off and should be replaced.

Casey's General Store No. 3871, 3661 W. Sunshine St., Springfield. Aug. 21 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations observed at the time of inspection.

Cashew Station, 620 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. Aug. 17 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.

Centerfold Bar, Grill, Cabaret, 2800 W. Sunshine St., Springfield. Aug. 22 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed taco meat holding in steam unit between 111 degrees and 115 degrees. Taco meat immediately reheated to 165 degrees and corrected on site. No non-priority violations.

Colton's Steak House, 2020 E. Independence St., Springfield. Aug. 21 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed not properly documenting discard time when using time control for potentially hazardous foods (sour cream and butter). Education provided. No non-priority violations.

Common Grounds Coffee & Cafe LLC. Aug. 21 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited during inspection.

Costco Wholesale No. 1486 Bakery/Retail, 279 N. Eastgate Ave., Springfield. Aug. 18 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.

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Costco Wholesale No. 1486 Meat, 279 N. Eastgate Ave., Springfield. Aug. 18 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.

CoxHealth South, 3801 S. National Ave., Springfield. Aug. 17 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed open employee drink in food preparation area when employee drinks are required to have a lid and straw. Drink removed and education provided. No non-priority violations.

Dark Stone Coffee Co., 1826 E. Turner St., Springfield. Aug. 18 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited during inspection.

Diamond Head, 1225 E. Hines St., Republic. Aug. 21 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Observed foods held at temperatures above 41 degrees — steak at 43 degrees and shrimp at 42 degrees — in prep cooler. Will be placed on time control until excessive heat conditions in kitchen are over. One non-priority violation: Observed mold growth on non-food contact surface on inside of ice machine.

Dollar General Store No. 9127, 3912 W. Republic Road, Springfield. Aug. 18 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations observed at time of inspection.

El Puente Mexican Restaurant, 1111 E. Republic Road, Springfield. Aug. 18 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed employee eating in food preparation area, food was removed and education provided. No non-priority violations.

Fazoli's 5077, 2137 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. Aug. 22 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Four non-priority violations: Observed old date labeling stickers on outside of food containers; observed ceiling vents and walls in back prep area and food service line not clean; observed single-use articles on storage shelf with open side up, education given and violation corrected during inspection; observed boards placed on wall and used to hold a hose reel were not stained or painted.

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Harter House Bakery, 1625 S. Eastgate Ave., Springfield. Aug. 23 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted at time of inspection.

Harter House Retail - Produce, 1625 S. Eastgate Ave., Springfield. Aug. 23 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted at time of inspection.

Hinode Japanese Steakhouse, 4301 S. National Ave., Springfield. Aug. 23 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Two priority violations: Observed onion stored directly on cooler shelf, which was voluntarily discarded; observed several flies in kitchen, bar area and dining area, restaurant should contact pest control to minimize. Five non-priority violations: Observed cutting boards in use on kitchen prep table and sushi prep table are scored, resurface or replace; observed dish machine racks are not clean, should replace or clean racks; observed cloth stored on sushi rice, cloth removed and solutions such as plastic wrap were discussed; observed build up of mold-type substance in top of bin/chute area on ice machine, manager agrees to have maintenance company flush and clean; observed no splash guard on hand sink next to sushi prep cutting board, which leaves food exposed to splashed water from handwashing.

Holiday Inn - Peppertree Restaurant, 2720 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. Aug. 21 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.

Hong Kong II, 1645 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. Aug. 21 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed sanitizer container for dish machine was empty, which was then changed out during inspection. No non-priority violations.

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Jyms Investments LLC, 1550 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. Aug. 17 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: Observed ice dispensing nozzle on soft drink machine has build-up inside of it; Observed ice dispensing nozzle on soft drink machine has build-up inside of it.

Kum & Go No. 1470, 1810 E. Kearney St., Springfield. Aug. 17 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited during inspection.

La Paloma Mexican Grill, 1425 W. Battlefield Road, Springfield. Aug. 22 routine inspection – Result: active. Two priority violations: Observed raw chicken stored above whole cuts of meat in walk-in cooler, ground beef stored above whole cuts of meat, education provided and person in charge corrected storage order immediately; observed employee had placed food prep chopper into mop sink and sprayed equipment with mop sink hose, education provided and person in charge had equipment moved to three-vat sink to be washed, rinsed and sanitized. No non-priority violations.

Long John Silvers Seafood, 2236 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. Aug. 22 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited during inspection.

McAlister's Deli, 590 E. Harrison St., Republic. Aug. 21 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Kitchen air conditioning was not working, causing prep coolers not to properly cold hold. Restaurant will use time only control for potentially hazardous foods in all prep coolers until air conditioning is fixed. Two priority violations: Observed foods at temperatures above 41 degrees in right prep cooler — roast beef at 48 degrees, lettuce at 69 degrees — food discarded and will use time control only until air conditioning is fixed; observed foods at temperatures above 41 degrees in left prep cooler — sliced tomatoes at 61 degrees and mayo at 54 degrees — food discarded and will use time control only until air conditioning is fixed. No non-priority violations.

Mercy Springfield Cafeteria, 1235 E. Cherokee St., Springfield. Aug. 22 conduct food school – Result: inspection passed. No violations cited.

Panda Inn-Asian Fusion LLC, 3025 W. Republic Road, Springfield. Aug. 18 re-inspection – Result: active. Priority item corrected: sushi fish supplier provided parasite letter Core items corrected: Men's restroom faucet is repaired. No violations cited.

Quality Inn and Suites North, 2745 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. Aug. 17 complaint inspection – Result: suspend, public. Food permit is being suspended due to no hot water. Pre-packaged food items only may be served. No violations cited.

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Rivercut Snack Bar, 2850 W. Farm Road 190, Springfield. Aug. 18 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations observed at time of inspection.

Sam's Southern Eatery, 1631 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. Aug. 21 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Four priority violation: Observed non-food-grade bucket being used to carry ice from ice machine, education was given and re-inspection needed; observed no sanitizer solution on site; observed rice hot held at 112 degrees, which was voluntarily discarded and education given; observed pot of jumbo in walk-in cooler had not date labeling, product was voluntarily discarded and education given. Five non-priority violations: Observed light shield was cracked on lights above ice machine; observed chute in ice machine wasn't clean; observed backsplash behind nozzle on soda machine was not clean; observed daylight along the bottom of the back exterior kitchen door; observed items unnecessary to operation in the back storage area, education given.

Schlotzsky's, 1316 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. Aug. 17 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: Observed floor tiles throughout kitchen that have come off partially or completely, which is a repeat violation; observed missing ceiling tiles near the water heater.

Starbucks-OTC Store No. 300, 1001 E. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield. Aug. 21 re-inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. No priority violations. No non-priority violations.

Sushi Village, 1440 W. Republic Road, Springfield. Aug. 18 re-inspection – Result: active. Priority items corrected: dish machine now at 50 ppm, sanitizing as required; potentially hazardous food items are date marked as required. Core items corrected: paper towels at both hand sinks; dish racks have been replaced. No violations cited.

Taco Bell, 225 E. Evergreen St., Strafford. Aug. 21 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited during inspection.

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Taco Bell No. 018190, 610 E. US Highway 60 East, Republic. Aug. 18 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Tru Springfield Downtown, 517 E. Elm St., Springfield. Aug. 22 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Turner's Station Mercantile, 6484 E. Farm Road 148, Springfield. Aug. 23 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed refrigeration equipment not maintaining temperature.

Walmart Neighborhood Market No. 3062 Deli, 3536 W. Mount Vernon St., Springfield. Aug. 17 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Walmart Neighborhood Market No. 3062 Retail/Bakery, 3536 W. Mount Vernon St., Springfield. Aug. 17 routine inspection – Result: active. Discussed disposition of dented cans. No violations noted.

Walmart Supercenter No. 444 Deli, 3315 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. Aug. 17 complaint inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed employee enter deli area, put gloves on without washing hands and then handle cell phone with gloves on, which was corrected on site by employee washing hands and managers coaching employee on proper hand washing. No non-priority violations.

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Whataburger No. 1254, 3880 W. Sunshine St., Springfield. Aug. 21 routine inspection – Result: active. Two priority violations: Observed raw sausage patties stored over shell eggs in walk-in cooler, which was corrected on site; observed lettuce and sliced tomatoes on line past the discard time noted on time control stickers, which manager voluntarily discarded and education was provided on monitoring items during slower breakfast times. One non-priority violation: Observed drive-thru exit door is not closing all the way.

Whataburger No. 1332, 1355 E. US Highway 60 East, Republic. Aug. 22 re-inspection – Result: active. All priority items corrected and all food held at proper temperature in under counter cooler. No violations cited.

Zaxby's, 540 W. El Camino Alto Drive, Springfield. Aug. 21 routine inspection – Result: active. Two priority violations: Observed employee wipe sweat on top of head and re-enter kitchen without washing hands first, corrected and education provided; observed employee leaning on prep cooler on cell phone who did not wash their hands after handling cell phone, corrected and education provided. One non-priority violation: Observed employee frying and preparing food without a hair restraint on, corrected when employee put a hat on.

Susan Szuch is the health and public policy reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].