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Columbia’s Flat Branch Pub accused of dirty ice machine during inspection

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Columbia’s Flat Branch Pub accused of dirty ice machine during inspection

Contamination in an ice cream machine at a popular downtown hangout, described as “questionable growths,” has been cleaned and disinfected following a recent health inspection.

During a routine inspection on August 13, the ice machine was found in the basement of Flat Branch Pub and Brewing, 115 S. Fifth St. When the restaurant was inspected again on August 16, cleaning and disinfection were complete.

Routine inspections will occur two to three times a year depending on the priority and location of Columbia restaurants, the Columbia/Boone County Health and Human Services Department previously announced. Follow-up inspections will be conducted for critical violations. Restaurants can usually correct non-critical violations by the next routine inspection. Unless otherwise noted, reports will be submitted from August 13 through Monday.

Last week’s highlight: Sub Shop, 209 S. Eighth St., continues to fail to provide proof of a pest control visit. The restaurant was inspected on Aug. 9 following a complaint. An inspector found evidence of pests near a grease trap. The restaurant failed to provide proof of a pest control visit during follow-up inspections on Aug. 15 and 16 and Monday. The inspector required proof by 3 p.m. Thursday. If proof is not provided, the restaurant will be subject to a $110 inspection fee. The follow-up inspection report was not available when this article was submitted for publication.

Problems with food storage

Employees at Mochi Mochi, 2707 Bernadette Drive, got a lesson in food storage during a routine inspection Aug. 14. An inspector discovered frozen chicken in a container on the kitchen floor — a repeat violation. Food should be stored in a clean, dry area at least 6 inches off the floor where it is not exposed to spills, dust or other contaminants, the report said. The container was moved during the inspection and there was discussion about storing the food on sanitized countertops after removing it from the freezer. The restaurant had some noncritical issues that were also addressed during the inspection. An ice scoop stored on ice in the ice machine was moved to an appropriate storage location and an unapproved fly trap was removed. This came after a discussion about approved traps that catch and hold dead flies.

During the routine inspection on Aug. 16, there were problems with the storage of strawberries, tomatoes and peppers in a walk-in cooler at the Broadway Diner, 22 S. Fourth St. The restaurant corrected the problem during the inspection, but the inspection report did not provide specifics on how those products were “adulterated.” The restaurant also had until Wednesday to address the non-critical but recurring problem of the kitchen floor being in poor condition. The follow-up report was not available when this article was submitted for publication.

Other routine inspections

On Aug. 14, an ice dam in an ice machine at Wingstop, 2703 E. Broadway Suite 236, was found contaminated. It needed to be cleaned by Monday, but a follow-up report was not available when the article was submitted for publication. Additionally, a test kit for the concentration of a hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectant was not on site, also needed by Monday. Contamination on non-food-contact surfaces of makeline refrigerators and French fry storage racks must be cleaned by the next routine inspection in December. Also missing was a ceiling tile in the kitchen, which must be replaced by December.

At Mod Pizza, 21 Conley Road Suite U, the soda jets were dirty on Aug. 15 and were cleaned during the inspection. Additionally, management was spoken to about hair protection requirements and obtaining a second temperature gauge to ensure the hot sanitizing washer reaches temperatures of 160 degrees Fahrenheit on the surface of a dish.

Non-critical issues at Popeye’s Louisiana Chicken, 3700 Hyde Park Ave., can be addressed during the site’s next routine inspection in December. These included dirty seals on refrigerators and dirty handles on refrigerators and freezers throughout the facility. Once clean, they will need to be cleaned regularly thereafter.

At the Pasta Factory, 3103 W. Broadway, critical issues were addressed during the Aug. 16 inspection: The factory removed a dented can from a dry storage area, moved eggs from a walk-in cooler above ready-to-eat foods and removed ice from a handwashing sink, preventing proper use of the can.

Some restaurants and other dining establishments were closed at the time of the inspections. These included Stir Fry 88 in Columbia Mall, 2300 Bernadette Drive Suite 708 on August 14; Imperial Coffee House, 1725 Paris Road, on August 14; and Wishflour Bakery, 1023 E. Walnut St. Suite 7, on August 15.

Only one restaurant was found to be free of violations during the routine inspection: the Old Neighborhood Cafe at 2011 Corona Road Suite 101 on August 13.

Further violations corrected by re-inspection

Some local restaurants that had previously been inspected had violations corrected during the recent re-inspection.

At Chili’s Grill and Bar, 41 Conley Road, an ice machine was found to be dirty on Aug. 9. It was clean during a follow-up inspection on Aug. 14. The restaurant also has until its next routine inspection in December to defrost a freezer.

Hooters, 1101 Woodland Springs Court, is working to fix problems in the bar area, according to an Aug. 15 follow-up inspection report. Rusted racks used to store glasses in a cooler have been removed and new racks have been ordered. A new bar dishwasher has also been ordered. No further follow-up inspection is planned until the routine inspection in December.

A contaminated ice slide found on August 12 at Hawaiian Bros Island Grill, 1401 Grindstone Parkway, was cleaned by August 15.

More: Restaurant in downtown Columbia inspected after complaint to health department

Charles Dunlap covers local politics, community stories and other general issues for the Tribune. Reach him at [email protected] or @CD_CDT on X, formerly Twitter. Subscribe to support important local journalism.

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