Waffle House #1109

Personal cleanliness — Inspector Note: Observed staff members without proper beard restraint. PIC will provide employees with proper hair/beard restraints by 6/10/26. 511-6-1.03(5)(j) - Hair Restraints (C) (i) Hair Restraints. 1. Employees preparing or handling food shall use effective and clean, disposable or easily cleanable nets or other hair restraints approved by the Health Authority, worn properly to restrain loose hair including beards and mustaches longer than one half inch. 2. This does not apply to employees such as counter staff who only serve beverages and wrapped or packaged foods, hostesses, and wait staff if they present a minimal risk of contaminating exposed food, clean utensils and linens and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles.

Garbage/refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained — Inspector Note: Observed trash build up around the dumpster. The grease receptacle was also left open. PIC will ensure the grease receptacle remains close to prevent potential pest activity. 511-6-1.06(5)(o),(p) - Using Drain Plugs; Maintaining Refuse Areas (C) (o) Using Drain Plugs. Drains in receptacles and waste handling units for refuse, recyclables, and returnables shall have drain plugs in place. (p) Maintaining Refuse Areas and Enclosures. A storage area and enclosure for refuse, recyclables, or returnables shall be maintained free of unnecessary items and clean. 511-6-1.06(5)(n) - Covering Receptacles (C) (n) Covering Receptacles. Receptacles and waste handling units for refuse, recyclables, and returnables shall be kept covered: 1. Inside the food service establishment if the receptacles and units: (i) Contain food residue and are not in continuous use; or (ii) After they are filled; and 2. With tight-fitting lids or doors if kept outside the food service establishment.

Physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean — Inspector Note: Observed stagnant water on the floor in the walk in cooler. PIC will remove stagnant water to prevent potential contamination by 6/10/26. 511-6-1.07(5)(a),(b) - Good Repair, physical facilities maintained; Cleaning, Frequency & Restrictions, cleaned often enough to keep them clean (C) (5) Maintenance and Operation. (a) Good Repair. All physical facilities shall be maintained in good repair. (b) Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions. 1. The physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean and by methods that prevent contamination of food products. 2. Except for cleaning that is necessary due to a spill or other accident, cleaning shall be done during periods when the least amount of food is exposed, such as after closing. 3. If present, playground equipment and associated areas shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. In addition, a cleaning and sanitizing plan along with cleaning and sanitizing records for playground equipment and associated areas shall be maintained within the food service establishment for review upon request by the Health Authority. Further, such cleaning and sanitizing plan for employees to follow in the event of encountering vomitus or fecal matter shall be included and submitted at the time of permit application as specified in DPH Rule 511-6-1-.02(1)(c). Pf

Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use — Inspector Note: Observed an open bottles of water stored above butter in the reach in cooler. PIC removed two bottles of water. PIC will advise all team members to store employee drinks away from food and food contact surfaces. 511-6-1.03(5)(k)1&2 - Eating, Drinking, or Using Tobacco (C) (k) Hygienic Practices. 1. Employees shall not use any form of tobacco products, or electronic devices that simulate tobacco smoking, while engaged in food preparation or service, nor while in areas used for equipment or utensil washing and storage, food preparation or food storage. Employees shall only use tobacco products or electronic devices that simulate tobacco smoking in approved designated areas. 2. Employees shall consume food only in approved designated areas separate from food preparation and serving areas, equipment or utensil areas and food storage areas. However, drinking from a single service beverage cup with a secure lid and straw that is handled to prevent contamination of the employee’s hands, the container, exposed food, clean equipment, utensils and linens, unwrapped single-service and single-use articles will be allowed.

Utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried, handled — Inspector Note: Observed plates not inverted above the grill area. PIC was advised that plates must be inverted to prevent potential contamination. PIC will invert all plates or place a marked plate on top of each stack of plates to prevent contamination. 511-6-1.05(10)(e)1,2,4 - Equipment, Utensil, Linens, stored 6" off floor in clean, dry location (C) (e) Equipment, Utensils, Linens, and Single-Service and Single-Use Articles. 1. Except as specified in paragraph 4 of this subsection, cleaned equipment and utensils, laundered linens, and single-service and single-use articles shall be stored: (i) In a clean, dry location; (ii) Where they are not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination; and (iii) At least 6 inches (15 centimeters) above the floor. 2. Clean equipment and utensils shall be stored as specified under paragraph 1 of this subsection and shall be stored: (i) In a self-draining position that allows air drying; and (ii) Covered or inverted. 4. Items that are kept in closed packages may be stored less than 6 inches (15 centimeters) above the floor on dollies, pallets, racks, and skids that are designed as specified under subsection (2)(hh) of this Rule.

Food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used — Inspector Note: Observed rust build up on shelves above the three compartment sink. PIC advised to replace the shelves by 12/15/25. 511-6-1.05(1)(i) - Nonfood-contact Surfaces (C) (i) Nonfood-contact Surfaces. Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment that are exposed to splash, spillage, or other food soiling or that require frequent cleaning shall be constructed of a corrosion-resistant, nonabsorbent, and smooth material.

Garbage/refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained — Inspector Note: Observed the dumpster plug missing. PIC will contact the dumpster company (Waste Management) and have the dumpster plug replaced by 12/15/25

Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible — Inspector Note: Observed no hand drying provisions for the hand sink in the back if establishment. Manager replenished the paper towel dispenser (COS).

Toxic substances properly identified, stored, used — Inspector Note: Observed the wiping cloth bucket containing wiping cloths and chlorine sanitizer solution (Chlorine) above 100 ppm. The test strips turned white while testing the solution. PIC and staff were trained on proper use of chlorine sanitizer and test strip measurements. PIC corrected on site. Once corrected, the chlorine sanitizer was observed at 50 ppm.