BY TIM BONFIELD
The Cincinnati Enquirer
A list of health code violations including roach infestation, unsafe food storage, unsanitary dishwashing methods and employees not washing their hands has prompted the Cincinnati Health Department to order temporary closure of the China Buffet restaurant in Roselawn.
It was the first time in at least five years the city has closed a restaurant after finding unsanitary conditions.
The restaurant at 7633 Reading Road had been open for about a year, replacing the former Fortune Kookie restaurant.
Its license was suspended July 9 after inspectors found 15 code violations, including 13 "critical" ones requiring immediate correction. It has remained closed since.
"Most restaurants aren't that bad. We can get things corrected right away. But in this case it couldn't be done," said Virginia Meacham, the health department's supervising sanitarian. "This was an exceptional amount of violations."
China Buffet owner Qin Min Zheng could not be reached for comment. Health officials inspected the restaurant July 9 after receiving a complaint from a customer about bathroom conditions.
Here's what inspectors found:
No soap or paper towels at the kitchen hand sink where employees are supposed to wash their hands
no sanitizing soap or bleach on premises
failure to sanitize utensils or food-preparation equipment
toxic chemicals improperly stored near food
roaches found in storage areas, but not seen touching food
sewage water backing up in a basement storage area
food stored uncovered on floor of walk-in refrigerator
cross-contamination of food products caused by beef and chicken mixed together in the freezer
cross-contamination from beef and chicken mixed together in the refrigerator
rice left at room temperature
improper rinsing of utensils in the food-preparation sink
bulk-food items stored unlabeled
bulk-food items stored in nonfood-grade containers
unidentifiable meat products stored in refrigerator
and a dirty tea dispenser.
A follow-up inspection conducted July 14 found that the restaurant had corrected some of the problems, but the health department ordered the restaurant to remain closed until all the problems are fixed. The city hasn't heard from the restaurant since, Ms. Meacham said.
There are three other China Buffet restaurants in Greater Cincinnati -- in Sharonville, Hamilton and Edgewood, Ky.
None shares ownership or management with the restaurant in Roselawn.
