Critical Violations at One Falls Church Restaurant

In Virginia, restaurant inspection reports are not quite as simple as getting a letter grade or an easy-to-see number rating to post in the front window.

With that said, we all want to know how our favorite restaurants stack up on cleanliness and sanitation.

A "critical violation" is one that "poses a direct or immediate threat to the safety of the food being served." Non-critical violations are generally related to cleaning or maintenance.

"Ideally, an operation would have no critical violations, or none which are not corrected immediately and not repeated. In our experience, it is unrealistic to expect that a complex, full-service food operation can routinely avoid any violations," according to the Virginia Department of Health's website.

The site continues: "Keep in mind that any inspection report is a 'snapshot' of the day and time of the inspection. On any given day, a restaurant could have fewer or more violations than noted in the report. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term cleanliness of an establishment."

In the past month, the following Falls Church restaurants have been inspected by the VDH. The full reports can be accessed on the health department's website.

Long John’s Silver #3412

7049 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church

Inspected Feb. 19: no critical or non-critical violations

The purpose of today's visit was to verify that the sewage leak in the basement observed during the routine inspection conducted on January 24, 2013 had been corrected. EHS observed no continuing leak in basement. Spoke with manager and discussed completing facility repairs in both restrooms; manager stated facility is taking contract bids for complete repair, and stated that 30 days would be a reasonable time to expect completion.

Babylon Futbol Café

3501 S. Jefferson St., Falls Church

Inspected Feb. 15: six critical violations, one non-critical violation

Open drinking containers stored in a manner that may contaminate food, food contact surfaces or utensils: employee iced tea in glass above prep line across from cook line and pitcher of cola in Beverage Air 2d RI refrigerator. Items removed by employees.

Sweet Bee

6347-A Columbia Pike, Falls Church

Inspected Feb. 12: no critical or non-critical violations

PREOPERATIONAL FINAL INSPECTION *Items listed on inspection report dated 02-11-13 have been corrected. We thank you. *Approval for a Health Department Permit is hereby granted. This inspection report shall serve as your permit until official permit is delivered to you. No equipment changes/replacements/additions are allowed without approval by Health Department.