By: Don Shaw email: don.shaw@pennsylvaniachronicle.com 

North Versailles, PA

Bamboo Garden Chinese Buffet

1720 Greensburg Avenue
North Versailles, PA 15137

The Allegheny County Health Department conducted an unannounced retail food inspection on 1/22/2021 at the Bamboo Garden Chinese Buffet.  During this inspection a total of 17 violations were found.

The inspector made the following comments in support of the violations found during the inspection:

• Bag of potatoes in walk-in cooler contains rotting potato.
• Mold-like substance found on container of Italian dressing.
• Evidence of eating in the kitchen (half-eaten meal found on preparation table).
• Evidence of habitation throughout the facility including bedding, sleeping bags, foam pad, laundry, personal toiletries, shampoo, toothbrushes, electric razor. Part of dining room is used as sleeping quarters.
• Mop sink permanently blocked by a shelf and toaster oven
• Large bins in rear storage area containing loose rice and white powder unlabeled.
• Mouse droppings in back corner of storage area behind and under soda syrups.
• Multiple spray cans of Raid insect killer found throughout facility (back of kitchen, dining room).
• Meat products including beef, shrimp, and chicken in top of preparation cooler measured 50 F. Operator is aware of cooler malfunctioning and repair technicians visited during inspection. Meat products were discarded during inspection.
• Reach in cooler broken and not in use Preparation cooler broken and in use, operator aware. Technicians visited during inspection and repaired both coolers.
• Large quantities of cooked foods stored in both walk-in cooler and freezers lack discard date.
• Raw beef and shrimp stored above ready to eat items such as cabbage in walk in cooler.
• Old residue found on insert and lid of rice cooker
• Main kitchen hand sink is partially clogged (drains very slowly). Small chronic leak (slime formation) under in-use 3-compartment sink
• Foods in walk in cooler and freezer not in the active process of cooling are uncovered. 
• Scoops found in unlabeled bulk dry ingredients.
• Single-use souffle cups and lids stored inside an old chicken box.
• Shelving in walk-in cooler has build-up of rust.
• Hardwood preparation table in kitchen severely damaged and disintegrating.
• Tile grout throughout kitchen is missing, gaps between tiles show buildup of grime.
• Floors beneath fryers and flat top grills show heavy buildup of grease and debris.
• Tiles along buffet lines are broken.
• 1) Strong evidence of active roof leak (carpet wet in unused dining room), ceiling tiles damaged
  or missing in restrooms, dining room, kitchen, and store areas.
  – Leak above restroom vestibule
  – Leak above walk-in cooler
  – Leak above in-use 3-compartment sink
  2) Wooden walls in dining room appear to be rotting and mildewed where carpet is wet
  – Wallpaper peeling from walls in dining room
  3) Stainless steel walls under ventilation hood are beginning to separate, leaving large
  uncleanable gaps, and additionally show a heavy build-up of grease
  4) Walls of back restroom crumbling, build-up of plaster dust
• Majority of lights in the facility turned off during inspection. Dining room, bathrooms, back storage area, storage closet in kitchen, walk-in freezer and cooler all found unlit. Kitchen lights were turned off during inspection. Only area lit is the lobby.
• Some lights appear inoperable or damaged (both bathrooms)
• Clutter accumulation in all areas of the facility including dining room, restrooms, and back storage areas