Roach, rodent infestation reported in St. Charles Towne Center in Waldorf

[David]

FOX 5 reports:

“There used to be a cookie place down there, I’ve seen a roach like run across their cookies before. And then there used to be a wing place right here and I’ve seen a roach come from underneath their register. Over there, I’ve seen roaches at the Popeyes. I’ve seen roaches over there,” said Powell.

In fact, while we were walking through the food court, we managed to see a roach by the register of the Asian Chao Oriental Eatery — just feet away from the food

http://www.fox5dc.com/news/local-ne...on-reported-in-charles-county-mall-food-court

Makes you wonder if the local Health Departments are really doing their job. Especially after you factor in all of the vile and disgusting kitchens you see on Restaurant makeover programs like Kitchen Nightmares and Restaurant Impossible.

 

[Auntie Biache']

Eeeewww. I wonder if Nicolletti's still has a roach farm.

 

[David]

I wonder if Nicolletti's still has a roach farm.

Funny you should say that. When was the last time you noticed the problem? I was in there maybe back in early 2000's and they were crawling up the wall by the cash register.

 

[RoseRed]

Funny you should say that. When was the last time you noticed the problem? I was in there maybe back in early 2000's and they were crawling up the wall by the cash register.

I haven't been there in 20 years because of that reason. The only reason I was there last was for a baby shower my co-workers threw for me. I didn't eat.

 

[Auntie Biache']

Funny you should say that. When was the last time you noticed the problem? I was in there maybe back in early 2000's and they were crawling up the wall by the cash register.

It was before that. I worked there, for a very short period of time, when I first arrived in MD. The place was crawling with them. They even climbed up and down the walls in the DR, and people still ate there. I once pulled a glass of tea for a customer, and when I looked down in it, it had a roach doing the back stroke. The customer saw me look, pour it out, get a new glass...and still went to the DR and sat down for his meal. I would have walked out the door at that point. But, people still eat there, so I guess they don't mind. Of course, I can't speak to how it is today. It has been many years. But, if ol' what's his face didn't care then, I find it highly unlikely he cares today. I know his name, I just won't post it.

 

[David]

Well, maybe they cleaned up their act after all of these years. I was only there as a guest of a friend that time and since I stopped eating wheat and most meat years ago, I have no reason to go into just about any restaurant. You can make much healthier food at home for much less, plus then you pretty much know what went to it (vague reference to kitchen workers with a chip on their shoulder about life).

 

[Auntie Biache']

Well, maybe they cleaned up their act after all of these years. I was only there as a guest of a friend that time and since I stopped eating wheat and most meat years ago, I have no reason to go into just about any restaurant. You can make much healthier food at home for much less, plus then you pretty much know what went to it (vague reference to kitchen workers with a chip on their shoulder about life).

We rarely eat out anymore, and when we do, I'm always paranoid. It's really no longer enjoyable.

 

[GWguy]

We rarely eat out anymore, and when we do, I'm always paranoid. It's really no longer enjoyable.

I eat out a lot, because I'm single and don't always feel like cooking. But I've learned to lower my expectations. Good example was a few days ago. I wanted ribs, went to a local steak house. I've gotten ribs here before, hit or miss, touted as one of their signature servings. Last trip, I had to send them back. Awful. Dry, chewy. Keeping that in mind, I tried the ribs again. Even worse. Like leather. More like they had been microwaved to death to reheat them. Server called the manager, explained my disappointment, told her it wasn't the first time. Being a "signature" dish, it reflects really poorly on them. She thanked me for telling her, apologized more than a few times and comped my entire evening's meal.

You're right. No longer enjoyable when you have to deal with this, and mediocre food is the norm around here. There are exceptions, like Jerry's Place in PF. Expensive, but always top notch service and food.

 

[BernieP]

Well, maybe they cleaned up their act after all of these years.

If it's as bad as people say, I'm surprised the health department hasn't slapped a notice on the door.
But I can tell you that the dining room and restrooms don't look like much has been invested in cleaning and fixing them up.
I don't think I could eat off their salad bar, besides the rather poor quality, people as such pigs. But the real kicker is letting snot nosed kids serve themselves.
Can't speak for the kitchen. But either they are connected politically or they have passed inspection.
Friend was an inspector, they would never tell tales of who did what, but they didn't play favorites.
Nicolleti's reminds me of the old Western Steer, or whatever that place on 235&4 that was voted "most romantic" dining spot.
Dark, dingy and dirty Keeping the lights down helped hide the worn out and dirty interior, gave it that romantic appeal I guess
That and the all you could eat buffet.

 

[RoseRed]

Nicolleti's reminds me of the old Western Steer, or whatever that place on 235&4 that was voted "most romantic" dining spot.
Dark, dingy and dirty Keeping the lights down helped hide the worn out and dirty interior, gave it that romantic appeal I guess
That and the all you could eat buffet.

I never ate there, but that place was disgusting!

 

[David]

We received the following this morning around 0900. I assume it is in response to the Fox story referenced above.

Charles County Department of Health Releases 2019 Food Facility Inspection Dates

The Charles County Department of Health (CCDOH) has released an inspection list that identifies which facilities that have been inspected in 2019. This list is available on our website at http://www.charlescountyhealth.org/inspections/. The list provides increased transparency into the inspection process and departmental progress in the completion of routine inspections. This inspection database will be updated on a monthly basis to better inform consumers.

Our staff works tirelessly to ensure our food service establishments provide food in a safe and hygienic way, and we will continue to hold businesses accountable. Last year, three CCDOH inspectors performed over 1,000 inspections at food service facilities in Charles County. The inspections resulted in correction of both critical risk factors and good retail practices. The Department offers food safety training to food service facilities upon request to reinforce safe food handling practices.

An electronic complaint form is being developed, and will be available on our website in the coming weeks. Complaints regarding unsafe food handling or unsanitary conditions of food service facilities are investigated promptly and can be reported by calling (301) 609-6751.

 

[David]

You're right. No longer enjoyable when you have to deal with this, and mediocre food is the norm around here

Its the nature of the beast. There is just no way you're going to get quality food when it is prepared by people being paid minimum wage, who are probably over-tired because they are working 2 jobs to make ends meet; and who have no formal training in food prep/cuisine. Top that with food being purchased as cheap as possible from the big restaurant supply chains; much of it frozen and/or pre-processed and probably microwaved at least once along the way. Managers probably have no formal training in restaurant management and aren't paid incentives to make things better; just lock up and put out fires all day. Just about everything is a corporate franchise and daily operating procedures, menus, and recipes are all mapped out in the operating guide.

Frankly, most of the made to order food at Sheetz and WaWa is OK given the price and I'd opt for that if I was out on the road and had no way to make it myself. At least you can buy a couple of pieces of fruit and passable coffee.

 

[RoseRed]

We received the following this morning around 0900. I assume it is in response to the Fox story referenced above.

Charles County Department of Health Releases 2019 Food Facility Inspection Dates

The Charles County Department of Health (CCDOH) has released an inspection list that identifies which facilities that have been inspected in 2019. This list is available on our website at http://www.charlescountyhealth.org/inspections/. The list provides increased transparency into the inspection process and departmental progress in the completion of routine inspections. This inspection database will be updated on a monthly basis to better inform consumers.

Our staff works tirelessly to ensure our food service establishments provide food in a safe and hygienic way, and we will continue to hold businesses accountable. Last year, three CCDOH inspectors performed over 1,000 inspections at food service facilities in Charles County. The inspections resulted in correction of both critical risk factors and good retail practices. The Department offers food safety training to food service facilities upon request to reinforce safe food handling practices.

An electronic complaint form is being developed, and will be available on our website in the coming weeks. Complaints regarding unsafe food handling or unsanitary conditions of food service facilities are investigated promptly and can be reported by calling (301) 609-6751.

Can you get these for Calvert and St. Mary's, too?

 

[mitzi]

I've been surprised no one posted about the George's BBQ in Indian Head video. I can't link it (or don't know how) from someone's FB page. It was on Fox news also but not the entire video the customer recorded.

 

[David]

Can you get these for Calvert and St. Mary's, too?

Notice the Charles Co. report lists who and when, but gives absolutely no indication as to whether there were problems or of it passed with flying colors.

St. Mary's does not appear to publish any list, other than good guys via their Gold Star list:

http://www.smchd.org/food-safety/

Nor does Calvert:

https://www.calverthealth.org/community/environmentalhealthservices/foodservice.htm

It sounds like something people need to complain about and force them to do it. All they have to do is post an Excel spreadsheet every week or two.

My suspicion is that over the years, health departments have been pressured not to publicize the names of restaurants with failing grades because, drum roll please: It is no doubt going to hurt the business of that restaurant.

Certainly, if it is some small issue, they deserve some slack. But, if the place has had cockroaches crawling up the walls in front of customers for years, maybe they need the attention. It is certainly good incentive to keep your place clean.

 

[David]

I've been surprised no one posted about the George's BBQ in Indian Head video. I can't link it (or don't know how) from someone's FB page. It was on Fox news also but not the entire video the customer recorded.

If you give me the address of the page where you saw it, I can figure out the rest.

 

[mitzi]

If you give me the address of the page where you saw it, I can figure out the rest.

The guy's profile is open, scroll down to last week.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=787866288&epa=SEARCH_BOX

 

[mitzi]

The guy's profile is open, scroll down to last week. This place hadn't been inspected since January 2018 and their business license was expired.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=787866288&epa=SEARCH_BOX

 

[BernieP]

I never ate there, but that place was disgusting!

Neither did we, one (or both) of the kids had a post season party for their soccer team there.
Even they didn't want to eat there - it was that disgusting.

 

[PeoplesElbow]

I really like the way north carolina does it, makes them put their report card right up on the wall.