This feature on Northborough Patch lists the latest health inspections conducted by the town's Health Agent Jamie Terry. Inspections are conducted regularly, and are unannounced visits.
It is important to note that Terry has often stressed that it is very rare for an establishment to always receive a perfect inspection score.
Patch is able to obtain the inspection information only after it is shared with the Board of Health, after which we share the latest with our readers.
A visit to Chet's Diner kicked off the month of March with a "good inspection" that included no violations. Chet's, which Terry visited on March 11, had an inspection that noted a clean ice machine, gloves and hats in use, a milk unit at the proper temperature and well-dated ingredients. "This is a well kept establishment," wrote Terry.
Lil M's Mart got two critical violations during its inspection on March 11. An expired can of beans was removed, and Terry informed owners that the handwash sink must be accessible at all times. Other comments included that the salad bar was very fresh, and changed out every day.
Another inspection on March 11, at Pepper's Catering, resulted in two critical violations, which included expired corn meal and items not labeled and dated properly. Terry noted that the walk-in cooler was at the correct temperature and that the "produce cooler is excellent-very fresh and clean."
The all-new Hillside Grille was also inspected on March 11, whn it received two critical violations. These violations involved rags not stored in sanitizer solution, and food products that were not labeled and dated. Terry noted that the grill at the Grille was very clean, the meat was stored properly, the ice machine was clean. She did, however, note that "the establishment smells like smoke ... there should be no smoking allowed here."
To end the day on March 11, Terry visited Britney's Cafe, another establishment that received two criticals. Raw meat, she said, was stored above cooked food, and there was some expired milk. Otherwise, Terry noted that the ice machine was very clean, the establishment itself was very clean and the refrigerator maintained the correct temperature.
One critical violation was found during a visit of St. Bernadette's school on March 11; salad dressings were not kept in an ice bath, and should be. Otherwise, the inspection included a series of "great" comments, including employees wearing hats and gloves and that the "establishment is clean."
O March 22, Terry inspected Gentile's Bakery, which received three critical violations. She noted that there was "evidence of mice in the establishment, and pest control must be contacted immediately." Other violations included the bathroom needing a cleaning, and a three-bay sink in need of repair, in that the water kicks back into the other bays. This violation, Terry noted, is a repeat of last time. "The freezer must be cleaned out of crumbs," she wrote.
The Melican School received one critical violation during an inspection on March 22. The school needed to obtain a grease trap cover that fits properly to "assure that no insect activity occurs." Otherwise, "good" and "great" marks lined the report, including clean dumpsters, milk at the proper temperatures, employees wearing hats and gloves, a clean dry storage area and well-organized and well-dated food.
Soup must be thawed under cold running water. That's what earned Chauncy Hall its one critical violation on March 27. Terry also noted that the microwave needed a cleaning. But the dumpster was clean and closed, and the food in the dry storage space was well dated.
Terry started off the month of April with a visit to Bistro Limoncello, with an inspection that garnered six critical violations. These included a person in need of allergen training, raw food sored above ready-to-eat foods, fish stored above the cheese raviolis, eggplant uncovered in the refrigerator, paper towels needed at the hand sink and rags not stored in sanitizing solution. "The establishment needs a thorough cleaning," noted Terry in the inspection, which took place April 2. On a good note, the chefs wore hats and the refrigerator was at the correct temperature.
Another inspection on April 2 took place at Mikakn, and that yielded two criticals: the bleach was too strong and the place was using sponges (which is prohibited). Otherwise, this inspection received good marks that included rice being cooked at the proper temperature, a clean dumpster, and workers who are allergen trained.
A lone can of expired whipped cream was enough to get Trombetta's one critical mark on April 2. It was removed during the inspection, and everything else checked out "good," with employees wearing hats, the soft serve machine tested perfectly, the temperatures were all at appropriate levels. "The establishment is very clean throughout," wrote Terry.
The following week, April 8, Terry popped in on Cocobeni Confections, which got one critical note that involved glass cleaner being present in the food area. Terry also noted, "Must assure that items that have contact with food are not stored with non-food items, such as baking dishes and pens."