Berks diner fails inspection after inspectors find rodent evidence and cold case mold
A Morgantown diner was flagged out of compliance on November 3 after inspectors discovered signs of pests and improper food storage methods.
By James Mitchell ·
Morgantown Diner at 101 Moreview Boulevard was labeled out of compliance during a November 3 inspection by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. The facility faced six violations, the highest count in the county for that day. Inspectors found evidence of rodent and insect activity in the back kitchen area. The establishment did not have an active pest control program in place.
The diner is one of three jurisdictions in Berks County that does not employ its own food safety inspectors. Reading and Muhlenberg Township use local staff, while the rest of the county relies on state agents. All food vendors in the region must undergo at least one inspection per year. Additional visits are triggered by ownership changes, previous compliance failures, or customer complaints.
At Morgantown Diner, a food employee failed to follow proper handwashing procedures. The worker did not use soap or warm water. Inspectors also found multiple food items stored directly on the kitchen floor. State rules require food to be stored at least six inches above the floor. An employee was observed touching sandwiches and pickles with bare hands. These are considered ready-to-eat foods.
The person in charge of the facility did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of food safety during the visit. Excessive grease buildup was observed behind the equipment on the cook line. Trash and food debris accumulated on the floor under equipment throughout the facility. The diner remains open for business but has been given a set time to correct the identified problems before a return visit.
Other facilities inspected between October 21 and November 3 faced various violations. Jimmy G’s Beverly Hills Tavern in Sinking Spring received five violations on October 30. Black organic residue was found inside the ice machine. Ice in the bar area was stored open without a covering. Employees on the cook line were not wearing proper hair restraints. The facility also lacked quat sanitizer test strips to verify chemical concentration.
The Bowers Hotel in Bowers recorded 11 violations on October 29. This was the highest number of violations reported in the recent database filings. Inspectors noted that raw chicken and shelled eggs were stored above raw beef, pork, and fish. This storage method risks cross-contamination. The person in charge also failed to demonstrate adequate food safety knowledge. Food ingredients in storage containers were not labeled with their common names.
Applebees at 5600 Perkiomen Avenue in Reading had three violations corrected on November 3. Thermometers for the bain marie units were not readily accessible. A scoop at the soda dispenser was stored in a dirty container. Grout between floor tiles at the cooking line was deteriorated. All issues were fixed during the inspection.
Kinya Ramen in Wyomissing also had three violations on November 3. Soap was missing from the handwash sink in the dishwashing area. Dirt and debris accumulated on the floor in the drink preparation area. Non-food debris was found in a bulk container of sugar in the back storage. The entire product in that container was discarded during the visit.
La Salle Academy in Shillington received two violations on November 3. Six cartons of milk in the cold hold case were past their best-by date of November 2, 2026. A cutting utensil with duct tape on the handle was in use. The tape created a surface that was not easily cleanable. Ready-to-eat food held for more than 24 hours was not date marked. These issues were corrected on site.
Inspection reports for these facilities are available online in the state database. The data was filed as of 12 p.m. on November 4. Complaints about food safety can be submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture through its online portal.
