(Toledo News Now) – Dining out should be just as food safe - if not more - than dining in, at least that's what one family-owned and operated restaurant believes. Other eateries may want to take a lesson from their kitchen.
Food safety never clocks out at Bambino's Pizza on Monroe Street in west Toledo. For 20 years, Jeff Awada and his father, Hassan, have been making history. Their recipe for a clean inspection report is homegrown.
"We're here all the time. It's a family business, so it's very important that we're here keeping track of everybody," explained Jeff Awada.
They've turned the basics of cooking harm free food for themselves, as well as others into a way of life.
"We work here. We make a living here. We gotta keep it clean," said Awada.
In their kitchen, you won't find dead flies, wrong labels or dangerous temperatures, but rather a combination of your favorite ingredients atop hot pizza served fresh and safe.
Other local favorites reveal a different kind of report.
Cousino's Steakhouse on Woodville Road in Oregon is working to limit bacteria growth by ensuring meats are stored at or below 41 degrees. Staff will also need to prevent possible contamination by keeping wet rags inside sanitizer buckets, instead of on prep surfaces. Inspectors also suggested cleaning the ice machine and fans on a regular basis. Gnats at the bar was just one of seven violations for the restaurant.
Caper's Pizza Bar on Byrne Road in south Toledo is clean and well-maintained receiving only one health code violation. Repairs are needed immediately to the dishwasher. Chlorine isn't dispensing, which can allow the opportunity for dirty, unsanitary utensils and serving plates.
Violations are nothing new at En Japanese Steakhouse in Sylvania. Three repeat offenses made their way onto the Sept. 4 inspection report with 10 overall violations. Repeat violations included rust and buildup on racks in a walk-in cooler, unlabeled spray bottles near the sushi area, and a torn cooler door gasket. Other violations included a malfunctioning dishwasher in such disrepair, that it must be removed from the kitchen altogether. Inspectors also found buildup on the outside of food containers, as well as inside the ice machine.
B Gump's Restaurant and Lounge in Sylvania is going to need to clean its ceiling vents due to dust buildup; it was one of eight violations inspectors found. There were a few cooked food items without date labels, plus rice and roasted tomatoes had to be tossed out because of unsafe temperatures. Additional violations included open sauce bottles that need to be refrigerated on a dry shelf, an open bag of fry mix, a sugar cooler recording various temperature readings and no paper towels at the sink.
China Chef on Perrysburg Holland Road in Maumee is at fault for thawing food at room temperature, which can lead to the growth of potentially harmful bacteria. To thaw food, it should be refrigerated or have cold water run on it. That was the restaurant's only violation, however it was a repeat.
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B Gump's Restaurant and Lounge in Sylvania received eight violations during its health inspection.
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