Adams County Health Department Cites Repeat Pest, Cleaning Violations at Quincy Restaurant
A Sept. 8 routine inspection documented cockroaches near the restaurant’s cook line and several cleaning deficiencies, while food temperatures and numerous other food-safety requirements were found to be in compliance.
QUINCY, Ill. The Adams County Health Department has ordered corrective action following a routine inspection of Tony’s Too, 4821 Oak Street, after an inspector documented cockroaches and several sanitation and maintenance issues inside the restaurant.
According to the three-page inspection report, the Health Department cited violations involving a handwashing sink, pest control, and the cleanliness of portions of the physical facility.
At the same time, the inspection found numerous critical food-safety measures in compliance, including food being obtained from approved sources, proper food separation, clean and sanitized food-contact surfaces.
Cockroaches Observed Near Cook Line
The most significant finding involved pest control.
The inspector reported observing adult and juvenile cockroaches on the floor around and between prep and cook-line coolers.
The report directs the restaurant to use appropriate pest-control methods, eliminate conditions that could provide harborage for pests, and clean food debris as well as live and dead cockroaches from the affected area. The report states that professional pest-control treatments were already occurring once a week through O’Donnell’s.
The pest-control issue was marked as a repeat violation.
According to the Health Department, the same violation had been observed during a previous inspection. The department set Sept. 18 as the correction deadline. If the violation is observed again during the next inspection, the establishment could be assessed a $100 fee, with an additional $150 assessment possible if the violation continues during subsequent inspections.
Handwashing Sink Misused, Corrected During Inspection
Inspectors also observed an employee dumping beverages or other liquids into a designated handwashing sink near the entrance to the kitchen.
Health regulations require handwashing sinks to remain accessible and to be used only for washing hands.
According to the report, employees were retrained during the inspection and the violation was corrected on site.
Cleaning Issues Documented
Several additional findings involved cleaning and maintenance.
The exterior of the dishwashing machine was found to have an accumulation of dirt, dust and food debris. The Health Department directed the restaurant to clean and maintain the machine routinely, with that issue scheduled for review during the next routine inspection.
Inspectors also reported that ceiling tiles and ventilation covers above food-preparation areas contained accumulations of dirt, dust and miscellaneous debris. Those areas were ordered cleaned by Sept. 18.
Flooring and drains around the prep and cook line, including areas beneath fryers, coolers and preparation tables, were cited for accumulated grease, food debris and other material.
That condition was also identified as a repeat violation, with correction required by Sept. 18.
The report additionally noted food debris and what the inspector described specifically as a “black mold-like substance” on walls near the dishwashing area. The report called for those walls to be cleaned and maintained routinely. The Health Department’s wording is important: the report describes the substance as mold-like and does not document laboratory testing confirming that it was mold.
Follow-Up Scheduled
The Health Department scheduled a follow-up for Sept. 18, when inspectors can determine whether the pest-control and cleaning deficiencies requiring prompt correction have been addressed.
The report states that the restaurant’s priority classification did not change as a result of the inspection.
The findings represent conditions observed by an Adams County Health Department inspector at the time of the Sept. 8 inspection. They should not be interpreted as establishing conditions before or after that inspection beyond what is documented in the official report.
