In the inspections conducted by the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department on Wednesday, April 24, five restaurants were cited for violations of the food code. Health inspectors listed the violations in the inspection report, which also provided the time frames within which they must be corrected.
Please note that the scores mentioned here are from a particular inspection conducted on April 23 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the establishments.
Highlights
- Five restaurants in and around Charleston were inspected and cited for food safety violations on Wednesday.
- Absence of the certified food protection manager and other issues were reported at the restaurants.
- The follow-up inspections at the restaurants will happen by May 2, 2025.
Multiple Food Safety Violations Found at Five Restaurants
The five restaurants listed below underwent routine inspections on Wednesday. The violations of the food code that were observed at the restaurants were recorded in the official inspection report that was released on the official website.
Cozumel Express Mexican Food
- Where: 241 Capitol Street, Charleston, WV 25301
- When: April 23, 2025
Cozumel Express Mexican Food failed a health inspection on April 23. As per the official report, no priority violations or repeated violations were observed during Wednesday’s inspection.
One priority foundation violation was reported, which is to be resolved within 10 days. The list of violations that were reported is as follows:
- No certified food safety manager was on site
- Several ready-to-eat foods were not labeled with dates
- Chicken was being thawed in a bucket at room temperature
- Many of the coolers storing food didn’t have thermometers
- Disposable items were stored in a container of sugar
- Ice Machine Filter Records Missing – No records showing inspection or maintenance of the ice machine’s filters.
Further, the restaurant will face a follow-up inspection on May 2, 2025, due to poor performance in routine inspections. The full inspection report is available online.
Bar 101/Ichiban
- Where: 101 Capitol Street, Charleston, WV 25301
- When: April 23, 2025
Ichiban is a Pan-Asian restaurant, and Bar 101 is a bar that is located in the same building. The inspection report for the establishment cited two priority violations and two priority foundation violations.
The former are to be resolved within 72 hours and the latter within 10 days. There were also eight core violations reported.
The list of violations that were observed at the restaurant is as follows:
- No certified food safety manager was on site
- Soap was not available at the handwashing sink in the women’s restroom
- Tomatoes, garlic, broccoli, and items in the sushi cooler were not kept at the correct temperature
- Cooking and baking equipment had food debris
- Tomatoes, broccoli, and sushi cooler items were above 50°F
- Some coolers didn’t have thermometers
- Unnecessary items under the stairs could attract pests
- The sushi and prep coolers were not working properly
- The dish machine showed zero ppm, indicating no sanitizer was detected
- The hose attached to the dishwasher was leaking
- Floors and ceilings were in poor condition
- Light levels were too low in the stairway and sushi prep area.
Following these violations, the inspection report said that a follow-up is required at the establishment and it will happen by May 2, 2025.
Graziano’s Pizza
- Where: 243 Capitol Street, Charleston
- When: April 23, 2025
Graziano’s Pizza is a locally owned and family-operated business. An inspection that lasted half an hour revealed a total of two violations, including one priority foundation and one core item violation. The violations listed in the report are as follows:
- A certified food protection manager was not on site.
- The ice machine in the prep kitchen had no records showing it was inspected or serviced.
The restaurant will face a follow-up inspection on May 2, which will ensure compliance, as per the report.
Lin Dragon Garden
- Where: 1453 MacCorkle Avenue, Saint Albans, WV 25177
- When: April 23, 2025
Dragon Garden Buffet offers a variety of dishes that are part of a Chinese buffet. As per the official inspection report, the restaurant was cited for seven core item violations and two priority foundation violations. No repeated violations were reported.
Here is a list of violations that have been noted in the report:
- The person in charge is not making sure all employees get their food handler cards within 30 days of being hired
- The kitchen hand sink didn’t have soap
- Food was being thawed on the counter
- Some food items were not covered during storage
- A metal pot was resting directly on food
- The scoop in the flour was stored with the handle touching the product
- The walk-in cooler floor is damaged and has wood and sheet metal covering it
- The kitchen and equipment were not clean
- A drink was placed on a prep table where raw chicken was being cut.
The inspection report also stated that a follow-up inspection for food handler cards will be conducted at the restaurant within 10 days.
Swiftwater Cafe
- Where: 405 Capitol Street, Charleston, WV 25301
- When: April 23, 2025
Swiftwater Cafe serves favorite daytime items, like eggs, bacon, sandwiches & salads in a relaxed atmosphere. They also have a catering service.
The restaurant was cited for three core item violations during Wednesday’s inspection. No priority or priority foundation violations were reported. The violations reported at the restaurant are given below:
- A certified food protection manager was not on site.
- The thermometer in the cooler wasn’t in the right location.
- The sanitizer in the sink had chlorine levels over 100 ppm.
According to the inspection report, the restaurant will face a follow-up inspection on May 2, 2025.
Each of the five establishments cited in the April 23 inspections has been scheduled for follow-up visits to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
