Contaminated sugar, unapproved foods, and other Berks County restaurant inspections for Nov. 2-8

This story was reported and written by Spotlight PA, an independent, nonprofit newsroom, and is shared with WEEU listeners through our news partnership. Read the original story at spotlightpa.org.

The state inspected the following food establishments in Berks County. To find more restaurant safety information, view full inspection reports, and sign up for real-time text or email alerts for specific restaurants or locations, visit Spotlight PA’s Restaurant Safety Tracker.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture produces retail food inspection reports for 61 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties using the FDA Model Food Code. Inspections are conducted regularly throughout the state, and results are posted as inspections are conducted. As noted by the Department of Agriculture, inspections are a “snapshot” of a particular day. Many violations are relatively minor and are fixed at the time of inspection.

Facilities with violations:

13th St. Gulf Express
1014 N. 13th St., Reading, PA 19604
Nov. 3, 2026

4 moderate priority violations

Moderate Priority: Potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours, located in the refrigerator, is not being date marked.
Moderate Priority: Old food residue, dishes and utensils observed in the handwash sink, indicating uses other than handwashing.
Moderate Priority: Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the bathroom area.
Moderate Priority: Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the bathroom area.

724 Bistro
2295 E. Main St., Douglassville, PA 19518
Nov. 3, 2026

1 high priority, 5 low priority violations

High Priority: Plumbing system not maintained in good repair – observed faucet leaking at the handwash sink on the cookline.
Low Priority: Observed deeply scored cutting board not resurfaced or discarded as required. Corrected.
Low Priority: Handle on the Bain Maire is broken and the remaining handle has chipping paint.
Low Priority: Mops are not being hung to air dry.
Low Priority: Women’s toilet room is not provided with a covered waste receptacle for sanitary napkins.
Low Priority: Back door located in the kitchen area of the food facility has a gap and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals.

Applebees #3339
5600 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, PA 19606
Nov. 3, 2026

1 moderate priority, 2 low priority violations

Moderate Priority: Thermometers for ensuring proper temperature of equipment are not available or readily accessible in the bain marie units at the cooking line. Corrected.
Low Priority: The grout is deteriorated between the floor tiles at the cooking line.
Low Priority: Scoop at the kitchen soda dispenser is stored in a dirty container. Corrected.

Big Bertha’s Grill
499 Mountain Home Rd., Sinking Spring, PA 19608
Nov. 3, 2026

1 moderate priority, 1 low priority violations

Moderate Priority: Potato dicer blade was observed to have dried food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Correcting now.
Low Priority: Shelf in reach in cooler was observed with excessive debris build up and in need of cleaning.

Conrad Weiser Sd Middle School
347 E. Penn Ave., Robesonia, PA 19551
Nov. 3, 2026

1 moderate priority violation

Moderate Priority: Food facility does not have usable test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration.

Eck Cottage
1863 Bethany Rd., Womelsdorf, PA 19567
Nov. 4, 2026

1 moderate priority violation

Moderate Priority: Observed cooking pan lid, in the kitchen cabinet area, with an accumulation of food residue and debris on non-food contact surfaces. Corrected and cleaned.

Family Dollar #28416
508 E. Lancaster Ave., Shillington, PA 19607
Nov. 5, 2026

1 high priority, 2 moderate priority violations

High Priority: Severely dented, swollen, distressed canned items observed in canned food aisle are and intended for use or sale in the food facility. Corrected.
Moderate Priority: Observed 7 milks offered for sale past the sell by dates of 10/7/26 and 10/30/26. Corrected.
Moderate Priority: Observed the bottom shelf and divider of the cold food case and the soda case by the registers to have an apparent mold build up.

Governor Mifflin Sd Middle School
130 E. Lancaster Ave., Shillington, PA 19607
Nov. 5, 2026

1 high priority violation

High Priority: Multiple foods were held at 48-52°F, in the kitchen area in multiple refrigerators, rather than 41°F or below as required. Corrected.

Governor Mifflin Sd Senior High
101 S. Waverly St., Shillington, PA 19607
Nov. 5, 2026

2 high priority violations

High Priority: Multiple foods were held at 125-129°F, in the two hot hold areas, rather than 135°F or above as required. Corrected.
High Priority: Multiple foods were held at 53-56°F, in the cold hold service areas, rather than 41°F or below as required. Corrected with ice bath.

Henning Center
1863 Bethany Rd., Womelsdorf, PA 19567
Nov. 4, 2026

2 moderate priority violations

Moderate Priority: Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the kitchen area. Corrected.
Moderate Priority: Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the kitchen area. Corrected.

J a Buffet
1752 Tilden Dr., Hamburg, PA 19526
Nov. 2, 2026

2 high priority, 1 moderate priority violations

High Priority: 6 fryer baskets were observed with broken wires at the fryers. Corrected and replaced with new baskets.
High Priority: Assorted Foods in the walk-in cooler and the reach in cooler at the cookline area were stored open with no covering. Corrected and covered.
Moderate Priority: Raw squid was observed thawing at room temperature on the counter, which is not an approved thawing method. Corrected and moved to cooler.

Jamar Groceries LLC
544 Noble St., Kutztown, PA 19530
Nov. 6, 2026

1 high priority violation

High Priority: Food Facility is using / offering for sale foods prepared in an unapproved private home. Corrected baked goods were removed from sale and application was given.

Kinya Ramen
945 Hill Ave. Ste 650, Wyomissing, PA 19610
Nov. 3, 2026

1 high priority, 1 moderate priority, 1 low priority violations

High Priority: Observed non-food debris in a bulk container of sugar in the back storage area. All product in the container was thrown away during this inspection.
Moderate Priority: Soap was not available at the handwash sink in the dishwashing area. Corrected.
Low Priority: There is an accumulation of dirt/debris on the floor in the drink preparation area. Corrected.

Knorr Cottage
1863 Bethany Rd., Womelsdorf, PA 19567
Nov. 4, 2026

1 moderate priority violation

Moderate Priority: Two working containers in the chemical closet area, used for storing chemicals, cleaners taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical. Corrected.

La Salle Academy
440 Holland St., Shillington, PA 19607
Nov. 3, 2026

1 high priority, 2 moderate priority violations

High Priority: Observed a cutting utensil being used that has duct tape on the handle creating a surface that is not easily cleanable.
Moderate Priority: Six cartons of milk observed in the cold hold case past the best by date of 11/2/26. Corrected.
Moderate Priority: Refrigerated ready to eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 24 hours, located in the refrigerator, is not being date marked. Corrected.

Logan’s Roadhouse #3503
65 Wilderness Trl, Hamburg, PA 19526
Nov. 2, 2026

1 high priority, 1 moderate priority, 1 low priority violations

High Priority: 2 ice scoops in the bar area were observed with a surface that is not smooth, easily cleanable and/or resistant to pitting, cracking or scratching. One scoop was discarded and others will be ordered.
Moderate Priority: Excessive house fly activity noted in the kitchen area of the facility.
Low Priority: Floor/grout in the dish, cookline, dry storage area is made of tile and grout and is cracked / roughened / and is not a smooth, easily cleanable surface. Grout is missing in several places and tiles are missing and need to be repaired.

Maple Grove Pub & Grill
2165 State St., Alburtis, PA 18011
Nov. 6, 2026

1 high priority, 1 moderate priority, 2 low priority violations

High Priority: Raw shell eggs observed in the walk-in cooler stored above vegetables. Corrected.
Moderate Priority: Temperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in the refrigerator next to the grill in the bar area. Corrected.
Low Priority: Food dispensing utensil in the ice bin in the bar area and in the flour bin in the kitchen area were observed stored in the food and not with handle above the top of the food and the container. Corrected.
Low Priority: Food employee observed on a break outside smoking a cigarette with apron on. Corrected.

Morgantown Diner
101 Moreview Blvd., Morgantown, PA 19543
Nov. 3, 2026

2 high priority, 4 moderate priority, 1 low priority violations

High Priority: Food Employee did not follow proper handwashing procedure. Soap and/or warm water not used. Corrected.
High Priority: A food employee was observed touching sandwiches and pickles – a ready to eat food – with bare hands. Corrected.
Moderate Priority: The Person in Charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection.
Moderate Priority: Observed an excessive amount of grease buildup behind the equipment on the cookline.
Moderate Priority: Observed an excessive amount of trash and food debris on the floor under equipment throughout the facility.
Moderate Priority: Food facility inspection indicates evidence of rodents/insect activity in back kitchen area, but facility does not have a pest control program.
Low Priority: Observed multiple foods stored directly on the floor in throughout the kitchen area, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required.

Northmont Fellowship Assoc. 16606000
600 Bruckman Ave., Reading, PA 19605
Nov. 3, 2026

1 high priority, 1 moderate priority violations

High Priority: Food employee in kitchen area, observed not wearing gloves in contact with ready-to-eat foods.
Moderate Priority: Potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours, located in the refrigerator, is not being date marked.

Reed Cottage
1863 Bethany Rd., Womelsdorf, PA 19567
Nov. 4, 2026

1 moderate priority violation

Moderate Priority: Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration. Corrected, main kitchen gave the cottage test strips.

Riverboat Saloon
5860 Old Route 22, Bernville, PA 19506
Nov. 5, 2026

1 moderate priority, 1 low priority violations

Moderate Priority: Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration
Low Priority: Front door located in the bar area of the food facility has a gap and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals.

Road Trip Eatery
5652 Old Route 22, Shartlesville, PA 19554
Nov. 5, 2026

1 moderate priority, 1 other violations

Moderate Priority: Refrigerated ready to eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 24 hours, located in the refrigerator, is not being date marked. Correcting now.
Other: The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view.

Rutter’s #92
15475 Kutztown Rd., Kutztown, PA 19530
Nov. 6, 2026

1 moderate priority, 1 low priority violations

Moderate Priority: Icee nozzles (4), a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. Corrected.
Low Priority: Ceiling-light fixture area of the food facility by the fryers was observed to have excessive dust build up and in need of cleaning.

Sheetz #273
4100 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, PA 19606
Nov. 3, 2026

2 low priority violations

Low Priority: There is a build-up of ice in the back of the 2-door True refrigeration unit under the marinara/queso dispenser. Corrected.
Low Priority: Left-hand door on the 2-door True refrigeration unit under the marinara/queso dispenser is not closing properly.

Sprecher’s Meats
3024 Penn Ave., West Lawn, PA 19609
Nov. 6, 2026

1 moderate priority violation

Moderate Priority: Some prepackaged food items in the customer self-serve area not labeled properly with the ingredient statement.

St. Catharine of Siena School
2330 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, PA 19606
Nov. 2, 2026

1 low priority violation

Low Priority: Student self-service single-use tableware is not displayed in a manner so that only the handles are touched by the students.

The Bowers Hotel
298 Bowers Rd., Bowers, PA 19511
Nov. 6, 2026

1 low priority violation

Low Priority: Floor area of the kitchen below and behind the fryers is extremely dirty, and observed with excessive grease and food build up, and in need of cleaning. Facility has hood cleaning scheduled for 11/11/26 and fryers will be moved for cleaning behind and below.

The Bree’s Knees Coffee Co
7184 Bernville Rd., Bernville, PA 19506
Nov. 2, 2026

1 low priority violation

Low Priority: An insect control device located in drink prep area with potential to contaminate food, equipment, and / or utensils. Corrected and removed.

The Peanut Bar 58203320
328 Penn St., Reading, PA 19602
Nov. 3, 2026

1 high priority violation

High Priority: tomato sauce and other sauces were held at 86.5 °F, in the hot holding area, rather than 135°F or above as required.

Thomas Ford Tfa
1020 Old Wyomissing St., Reading, PA 19611
Nov. 5, 2026

1 moderate priority violation

Moderate Priority: Paper towel dispenser empty at the handwash sink in the kitchen area.

Tulpehocken Sd Bernville El
24 Shartlesville Rd., Bernville, PA 19506
Nov. 2, 2026

1 low priority violation

Low Priority: Receiving door located in the back kitchen area of the food facility has a gap and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals. Please repair or replace door sweep.

Ukranian American Club A3005420
542 S. 7th St., Reading, PA 19602
Nov. 5, 2026

1 moderate priority violation

Moderate Priority: Potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours, located in the refrigerator, is not being date marked.

Victor Emmanuel Ii 37803110
311-13 Hazel St., Reading, PA 19602
Nov. 5, 2026

1 moderate priority, 1 low priority violations

Moderate Priority: Potentially hazardous ready-to-eat food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours, located in the refrigerator, is not being date marked.
Low Priority: Observed Bagged bread stored directly on the floor in walk in refrigerator area, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required.

Know before you go:
Look up inspection data for any PA retail food facility by name, city, or ZIP — and get alerts when new reports are published.

Facilities with no violations:

724 Bistro, 2295 E. Main St., Douglassville, PA 19518, on Nov. 5, 2026
Archie’s Taqueria, 448 Penn Ave., West Reading, PA 19611, on Nov. 6, 2026
Bethany Children’s Home Main Kitchen, 1863 Bethany Rd., Womelsdorf, PA 19567, on Nov. 4, 2026
Brobst Cottage, 1863 Bethany Rd., Womelsdorf, PA 19567, on Nov. 4, 2026
Buffalo Wild Wings Go, 1191 Berkshire Blvd. Unit 25, Wyomissing, PA 19610, on Nov. 5, 2026
Conrad Weiser Sd High School, 44 Big Spring Rd., Robesonia, PA 19551, on Nov. 3, 2026
Cvs Pharmacy #1321, 3498 N. 5th St. Hwy., Reading, PA 19605, on Nov. 7, 2026
Domino’s #4760, 1350 Pottsville Pike, Shoemakersville, PA 19555, on Nov. 5, 2026
Dubbs Cottage, 1863 Bethany Rd., Womelsdorf, PA 19567, on Nov. 4, 2026
Hess Cottage, 1863 Bethany Rd., Womelsdorf, PA 19567, on Nov. 4, 2026
Keck Cottage, 1863 Bethany Rd., Womelsdorf, PA 19567, on Nov. 4, 2026
Knerr Cottage, 1863 Bethany Rd., Womelsdorf, PA 19567, on Nov. 4, 2026
Leinbach Cottage, 1863 Bethany Rd., Womelsdorf, PA 19567, on Nov. 4, 2026
Moyer Cottage, 1863 Bethany Rd., Womelsdorf, PA 19567, on Nov. 4, 2026
Mr Food, 342 W. Main St., Kutztown, PA 19530, on Nov. 6, 2026
Papa John’s #2294, 2612 Penn Ave., West Lawn, PA 19609, on Nov. 5, 2026
Sal’s Pizza Style, 401 E. 1st St., Birdsboro, PA 19508, on Nov. 5, 2026
Sazon Liniero, 1527 N. 5th St., Reading, PA 19601, on Nov. 5, 2026
Vivi Bubble Tea, 450 Penn Ave., West Reading, PA 19611, on Nov. 6, 2026
Wawa Food Market #147, 2709 N. Meridian Blvd., Wyomissing, PA 19610, on Nov. 6, 2026

This post was automatically generated with data from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s database of Food Safety Inspections for Retail Facilities. We have also labeled violations as high, moderate, or low priority. These categories align directly with priority levels identified in the FDA Food Code: Priority, Priority Foundation, and Core.

Priority items contribute directly to the elimination, prevention, or reduction to an acceptable level of hazards associated with foodborne illness or injury, such as handwashing, food handling, and temperature control, or other direct food contamination threats, such as rodents or pests. We noted violations of priority items as high priority.

Priority foundation items support, facilitate, or enable control of risk factors that contribute to foodborne illness or injury, such as personnel training, labeling, and record-keeping. We noted violations of priority foundation items as moderate priority.

Core items usually relate to standard operating procedures, facility structures, equipment design, or general maintenance. We noted violations of core items as low priority.

To read the full inspection reports, you can visit: pafoodsafety.pa.gov/web/inspection/publicinspectionsearch.aspx

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