Empire Garden Buffet

876 Diamond Hill Rd, Woonsocket, RI 02895

License: Seats - 50 or More

Last inspected: Nov 6, 2024

Score

Medium Risk

Empire Garden Buffet appears in inspection records four times, starting in 2023. Inspectors last stopped by on Nov 6, 2024. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.

Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around seven violations lately compared to roughly two violations before.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “proper cold holding temperatures”, showing up two times.

Restaurants in Woonsocket average 89, so Empire Garden Buffet trails the local norm. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Nov 6, 2024

Routine

1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations. 5 corrected on site.

View 7 violations

Hot or cold food held at improper temperature (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Melon was observed held at 47 degrees Fahrenheit on the buffet line. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food must be held at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below except during preparation, cooking, or cooling. Melon was voluntarily disposed of.

3-501.16(A)

Equipment or utensils not clean (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Food contact surfaces of equipment/utensils can openers was observed with an accumulation of food and debris. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch.

4-601.11(A)

Improper cooling methods used (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Proper cooling methods were not used for time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods. Fried Chicken was placed hot in the refrigerator in containers greater than four inches deep.

3-501.15

Outer openings not protected against pests

Inspector notes: The door to the outside, located in the front entrance, is not tight-fitting. Outer openings of a food establishment must be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by tight-fitting doors.

6-202.15

Food contaminated by miscellaneous source (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Food items were observed stored on the floor in the walk in cooler. Food must be stored at least 6 inches above the floor.

3-307.11

In-use utensils stored improperly between uses (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: The ice scoop is stored on an unclean surface (top of the ice machine) between uses. During pauses in food preparation, utensils must be stored on a clean surface or in a clean, protected location.

3-304.12

Adequate ventilation & lighting; designated areas used

Inspector notes: The hood system was observed with an excess of debris. Hood systems must be maintained clean to sight and touch.

4-204.11

Sep 15, 2023

Re-Inspection

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Outer openings not protected against pests

Inspector notes: The door to the outside, located in the front, is not tight-fitting. Outer openings of a food establishment must be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by tight-fitting doors.

6-202.15

Physical facilities not in good repair

Inspector notes: The ceiling in the walk-in cooler area observed not smooth, durable, and easily cleanable. The physical facilities must be maintained in good repair. Ceiling shall be repaired.

6-501.11

May 2, 2023

Re-Inspection

1 critical violation. 2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.

View 3 violations

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned and sanitized (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: The chlorine sanitizer concentration for the sanitizing cycle of the dishwasher was 0 parts per million (ppm). Chlorine sanitizing solutions must be between 50-100 ppm. Empty sanitizer bucket was replaced.

4-501.114

Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency

Inspector notes: The floors especially beneath the fryers have an accumulation of soil residue and/or food debris. The ansul pipes beneath the hood have an accumulation of grease droplets. The physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean.

6-501.12

Nonfood-contact surfaces not cleaned at required frequency

Inspector notes: The non-food contact surfaces of the kitchen shelves, and walk in cooler shelves, have an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris.

4-602.13

Apr 6, 2023

Routine

2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.

View 9 violations

Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated

3-302.11

Hot or cold food held at improper temperature

3-501.16(A)

No hand drying provision at handwashing sink

6-301.12

Handwashing sink blocked, inaccessible, or used improperly

5-205.11

Food stored improperly or exposed to contamination

3-305.11

In-use utensils stored improperly between uses

3-304.12

In-use utensils stored improperly between uses

3-304.12

Nonfood-contact surfaces not cleaned at required frequency

4-602.13

Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency

6-501.12

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Empire Garden Buffet last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Empire Garden Buffet on file is from Nov 6, 2024. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Empire Garden Buffet?

Across the inspection record, “proper cold holding temperatures” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Empire Garden Buffet.

How does Empire Garden Buffet compare to other restaurants in Woonsocket?

Empire Garden Buffet most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Woonsocket average of 89.

Has Empire Garden Buffet's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Empire Garden Buffet have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Empire Garden Buffet means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

How often is Empire Garden Buffet inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Empire Garden Buffet is inspected around three times per year on average.

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