Springfield restaurant covered buckets of chicken with 'dirty plastic tarp': Inspection

A Springfield restaurant was covering buckets of chicken with a "dirty plastic tarp," according to a March 24 inspection report from the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.

Asian Hut, 1500 E. Sunshine St., was using a "dirty plastic tarp" to cover buckets of chicken, which is a priority violation. The problem was corrected by removing the tarp and discarding the chicken that was touched by it. Additionally, the restaurant had bowls of chicken, dumplings and large portions of meat stored in the freezer without being date marked, which was corrected on site. The restaurant will not need a re-inspection.

Issues found during inspections 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.

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.

Here are food inspections from the past week:

Amazin' Asian, 2941 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield. March 19 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed 0 parts per million bleach in sanitizer bucket, which was corrected on site and education given. No non-priority violations.

Apple Market - Deli, 500 S. Miller Road, Willard. March 24 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: Observed faucet loose at hand-washing sink; observed sandwiches prepared on site missing ingredients for bread and lunch meat used.

Asian Hut, 1500 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. March 24 routine inspection – Result: active. Two priority violations: Observed dirty plastic tarp thrown over buckets of chicken as a cover, which was corrected on site by discarding chicken that was touched by dirty cover, education given; observed multiple foods prepared by establishment and stored in freezers such as bowls of chicken, dumplings and large portions of meat were not date-marked, which was corrected on site and education given. One non-priority violation: Observed rags, plastic bags and cleaning utensils were placed on hand sink to be used as drying rack storage spot, which was corrected on site and education given.

Bair's All-American Sports Grill, 1644 E. U.S. Highway 60 East, Republic. March 25 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed insufficient sanitizer in bar's three-vat sink, which was corrected at time of inspection. No non-priority violations.

Big Easy Grill, 3641 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. March 25 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.

Bizarre Bar Downtown, 300 Park Central East, Springfield. March 21 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed faucet in ladies' bathroom does not dispense hot water, but hot water is available at all other sinks in establishment.

Braum's Ice Cream No. 273, 1401 W. Sunshine St., Springfield. March 20 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed raw bacon and multiple cartons of raw egg on cart above 41 degrees Fahrenheit, discussed options to prevent cart from being left out with potentially hazardous foods, which was corrected by person in charge implementing a timer for prep to minimize time food is out of unit. One non-priority violation: Observed diced tomato and cream cheese above 41 degrees without being marked for time as control, discussed that time as control must be marked immediately after removing items from temperature control and food on time as control must be discarded after 4 hours, corrected on site by marking items that were removed from cooler recently with discard time.

Captain D's No. 3545, 2964 S. National Ave., Springfield. March 19 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Three non-priority violations: Observed cabinets under soda fountain machines not clean with buildup of debris, which is a repeat violation; observed ceiling on cook line in bad repair and starting to peel and hang; observed food debris on floors under shelves and equipment throughout kitchen areas.

Casa Bella, 4610 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. March 21 re-inspection – Result: active. All previous cold-holding violations have been corrected. No violations noted.

Civil Kitchen & Tap, 107 Park Central Square, Springfield. March 21 re-inspection – Result: active. No violations observed during inspection.

Clearwater Cafe, 2500 E. Kearney St., Springfield. March 26 routine inspection – Result: active. Two priority violations: Observed a container of chili and container of pico de gallo being stored past their discard date, which were voluntarily discarded and education given; observed burrito mix and brown rice in the walk-in cooler without any date marking, which was corrected on site and education given. No non-priority violations.

David Harrison Elementary Cafeteria, 3055 W. Kildee Lane, Springfield. March 25 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Diamond Head Inc., 1255 E. Hines St., Republic. March 24 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Discussed proper storage of raw chicken and wet mops. Discussed not using bowls for scoops in bulk food. Two priority violations: Observed chicken at 120 degrees, green beans at 109 degrees as well as other foods below 135 degrees, which was corrected at time of inspection by placing food on time control; observed sanitizer too strong at dish machine. No non-priority violations.

Domino's Pizza, 491 E. U.S. Highway 60 East, Republic. March 21 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Domino's Pizza, 2642 W. Sunshine St., Springfield. March 21 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations.

Eagle Stop, 652 S. Hunt Road, Willard. March 24 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations observed during inspection.

El Sombrero, 1529 W. Battlefield Road, Springfield. March 24 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations.

Fast Black Sheep Burgers, 2420 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. March 19 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Two priority violations: Observed fries stored inside upright cooler on the line to be contaminated with ice buildup from the cooler, fries were discarded and cooler unit needs to be defrosted, re-inspection will occur; observed grilled onions not at or above 135 degrees in a crockpot, which were then placed on time control and a re-inspection will occur. Two non-priority violations: Observed ceiling tile in bad repair hanging from ceiling above ice machine; observed food debris buildup on shelves in walk-in cooler.

Flaming Wok, 711 W. Kearney St., Springfield. March 19 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Observed proper sanitizer not available, education provided and re-inspection scheduled. Two non-priority violations: Observed food preparation taking place at employee hand sink upon arrival, corrected on site and education given; observed one of employee hand sinks has constant leak, education given and work order placed for repairs.

Grand Mart, 1310 W. Grand St., Springfield. March 19 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Three non-priority violations: Observed ice chute on soda machine and in ice machine not clean, education given; observed mop stored inside mop bucket; observed cold holding units without thermometers in them, education provided.

Heady Bar-B-Que Co., 573 E. Elm St., Republic. March 26 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed insufficient sanitizer at three-vat sink, which was corrected at time of inspection. One non-priority violation: Observed food contact surfaces of spatula is chipped and frayed, which was corrected at time of inspection by discarding spatulas.

Highland Springs Country Club, 5400 S. Highland Springs Blvd., Springfield. March 20 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Four priority violations: Observed several ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous food items not date marked in walk-in cooler, which was corrected on site by discarding items and education given; observed several ready-to-eat potentially hazardous food items past discard dates in the walk-in cooler, which was corrected on site by voluntarily discarding items and education given; observed unlabeled spray bottle containing degreaser in dish area, which was corrected on site and education given; observed potentially hazardous food items being held above 41 degrees in line prep station, which were voluntarily discarded and re-inspection date set. One non-priority violation: Observed gap in exterior kitchen door, education given.

Highland Springs Country Club, 5400 S. Highland Springs Blvd., Springfield. March 25 re-inspection – Result: active. Previous violation has been resolved. No violations noted.

Kentucky Fried Chicken, 726 W. Kearney St., Springfield. March 19 routine inspection – Results: active. One priority violation: Observed employee observed putting bun for sandwich through toaster with bare hands, which was corrected on site by voluntarily discarding the bun and gloves donned to handle sandwich buns and education given. No non-priority violations.

KVC Missouri, 1212 W. Lombard St., Springfield. March 19 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted during the inspection.

La Tropical Mexican Snacks, Springfield. March 20 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.

Little Caesar's Pizza, 203 E. Kearney St., Springfield. March 25 routine inspections – Result: active. No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: Observed the floors and walls throughout the kitchen found not clean; observed the west exterior door with a gap along the bottom seal.

Los Michoacanos Garcias, 1402 W. Sunshine St., Springfield. March 24 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violations: Observed gap around back door with light shining through.

Mark Twain School, 2352 S. Weaver Ave., Springfield. March 24 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed tongs hanging on clean dish pipe had noodles inside handles, which was corrected on site by person in charge immediately placing tongs into dish pit and education provided. No non-priority violation.

Maso Kitchen Bar, 3653 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. March 25 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. One priority violation: Observed several potentially hazardous foods above 41 degrees in the salad line, which were discarded and education given, re-inspection date set. One non-priority violation: Observed gap at bottom of exterior door by the restrooms, education given.

Maso Kitchen Bar, 3653 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. March 26 re-inspection – Result: active. Previous priority violation has been corrected. No violations noted.

Momo Sushi and Grill, 2767 W. Republic Road, Springfield. March 20 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed cooked rice held at 108 degrees. No non-priority violations.

Ozarks Empire Fair E-Plex Concessions East, 3001 N. Grant Ave., Springfield. March 21 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed sanitizer at three-vat sink tested 0 parts per million, person in charge installed a new bottle of sanitizer at the sink. Three non-priority violations: Observed no paper towels available at hand sink upon inspector arrival; observed mice feces on floor of lower cabinets under soda fountain, which is a repeat violation; observed handle for cold water at three-vat sink is in disrepair.

One2Five, 1846 S. State Highway 125, Rogersville. March 26 routine inspection – Result: active. Two priority violations: Observed 0 ppm bleach in dish machine, observed 0 ppm quat sanitizer in three-vat sink, both of which were corrected on site and education given; observed debris buildup on both bar soda nozzles, which was corrected on site and education given.

Popeye's No. 775 - HZ Ops Holdings Inc., 1710 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield. March 19 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.

Preferred Family Healthcare, 2626 S. College Road, Springfield. March 24 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Price Cutter No. 35 MT/Seafood, 1260 E. St. Louis St., Springfield. March 21 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: Observed ice scoop stored directly on top of ice machine, which was corrected on site by using food pan to store scoop; observed hand-washing sink in meat cutting room out of paper towels.

Price Cutter No. 35 Starbucks, 1260 E. St. Louis St., Springfield. March 21 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations observed during inspection.

Rapid Roberts No. 102, 1278 E. U.S. Highway 60 East, Republic. March 21 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Rapid Roberts No. 124, 1655 S. Kansas Expressway, Springfield. March 19 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Rerico Brazilian Grill, 3371 E. Montclair St., Springfield. March 25 routine inspection – Result: active. Four priority violations: Observed two cheesecakes, two chocolate cakes, a key lime pie, a mocha cheesecake, creme brulee, calamari and cooked mussels not date marked in walk-in cooler, which was corrected on site and education given; observed several chipped brown soup bowls on buffet line, which is a repeat violation and was corrected by discarding bowls; observed debris buildup in bar soda nozzle, which was corrected on site and education given; observed 0 ppm bleach in bar's three-vat sink, which was corrected on site and education given. Three non-priority violations: Observed swai fish thawing in stagnant water, which was corrected on site and education given; observed cooked mussels in walk-in cooler with label showing "shrimp 3-8," which is a repeat violation, was corrected on site by voluntarily discarding the item and education given; observed debris on floor of dry food storage area, which is a repeat violation.

Retro Metro, 2150 W. Republic Road, Springfield. March 20 routine inspection – Result: permitted with re-inspection. Two priority violations: Observed no sanitizer in bar dish machine; observed no air gap provided on pre-rinse sprayer on three-vat sink. One non-priority violation: Observed salmon that was vacuum packaged on site without approved Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point plan, which was discarded and restaurant will stop all vacuum packaging.

Sam's Club No. 8296 HMS, 3660 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. March 24 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.

Sam's Club No. 8296 - Bakery, 3660 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. March 24 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.

Sam's Club No. 8296 Cafe/Snack Bar, 3660 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. March 24 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.

Sam's Club No. 8296 Meat/Rotisserie/Retail, 3660 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. March 24 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Seoul Oriental Market, 3165 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. March 25 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted during inspection.

Split Social Kitchen, 3027 E. Sunshine St., Springfield. March 19 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

St. Joseph's Catholic Academy Cafeteria, 515 W. Scott St., Springfield. March 26 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations cited.

Tacos El Champu, 1342 W. Sunshine St., Springfield. March 24 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations.

Tacos El Champu 2 LLC, 603 S. Kimbrough Ave., Springfield. March 25 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Two non-priority violations: Observed sanitizer bucket used to store cloths between uses has less than 100 ppm Cl, which was corrected on site; observed glassware on middle shelf in back stored on cardboard, which was corrected on site.

Uptown Pizza House, 312 E. Commercial St., Springfield. March 21 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. One non-priority violation: Observed food contact items being air dried resting on towels, education given.

USA Convenience Store, 1605 E. Kearney St., Springfield. March 20 routine inspection – Result: active. No priority violations. Three non-priority violations: Observed no sanitizer test kit available upon instruction, education given; observed no paper towels or dryer available at employee hand sink, education given; observed no hand soap available at employee hand sink.

Walmart No. 0138 - Retail and Produce, 1923 E. Kearney St., Springfield. March 24 routine inspection – Result: active. One priority violation: Observed molded strawberries in produce end-cap cooler, which was discarded by staff and education given. No non-priority violations.

Walmart Supercenter No. 179 Bakery, 3520 W. Sunshine St., Springfield. March 26 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations.

Walmart Supercenter No. 179 Deli, 3520 W. Sunshine St., Springfield. March 26 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations.

Walmart Supercenter No. 179 Grocery/Produce, 3520 W. Sunshine St., Springfield. March 26 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations noted.

Walnut Grove Basketball Concession, 300 E. College St., Walnut Grove. March 24 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations observed.

Whataburger - Eastgate, 401 N. Eastgate Ave., Springfield. March 20 re-inspection – Result: active. Previous priority violation corrected. No violations noted.

Willard Intermediate School North, 407 S. Farmer Road, Willard. March 24 routine inspection – Result: active. No violations observed during inspection.