Critical Violations at Three Falls Church Restaurants

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.

Wendy's Old Fashion Hamburgers #40

7391 Lee Highway, Falls Church

Inspected March 22: three critical violations, two non-critical violations

When tested, the quaternary ammonium compound-based sanitizing solution was observed to be at a concentration less than what is required for effective sanitization of food-contact surfaces of equipment and utensils. Observed the sanitizing solution in the three-vat sink with a concentration of less than 150 p.p.m total quaternary ammonium compound.

Z Kabob

3531 S. Jefferson St., Falls Church

Inspected March 22: one critical violation and 1 non-critical violation

The following cooked potentially hazardous food(s) are not being adequately cooled from 135°F to 70°F within two hours and to 41°F within a total of six hours: 1) Observed cooked mixed vegetables in large deep plastic container at 66F in True 3DR display cooler after cooling overnight (over 12 hours).

Al Jazera Restaurant

3813-D S. George Mason Dr., Falls Church

Inspected March 21: four critical violations, seven non-critical violations

A food employee was observed eating and drinking in areas where they may contaminate food, clean equipment, utensils or other items needing protection.