Dirty Dining: Norfolk's worst offender

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - 10 On Your Side's Dirty Dining investigations look into the area's worst offending restaurants, with a goal of getting them to make things right.

That's exactly what happened when WAVY.com's Andy Fox went out to Three Star Foods and Convenience on Wilson Road in Norfolk on February 14.

At the time, Three Star had seven priority violations; the most in the city of Norfolk. A priority item is defined in the Virginia Health Code as "Application contributes directly to the elimination, prevention, or reduction to an acceptable level, hazards associated with foodborne illness or injury and there is no other provision that more directly controls the hazard."

In the case of Three Star, the Norfolk Health Department report stated that the inspector found cooked chicken wings on top of raw chicken wings.

10 On Your Side asked the Three Star operator, "Why would there be cooked wings on top of raw chicken wings? Why would you do that?" He would not identify himself, but said, "No, I didn't have that. Who said I had that?" We told him, "The Norfolk Health Department, that's who."

The report also found there was no "eat by this date" on the ready-to-eat tuna fish. WAVY cameras captured a dirty cutting surface during the February 14 visit as well as a pest problem.

We found a bug as soon as we went inside, "Look at that bug. That is one of the complaints. They say you have a pest control problem in here. See this bug right here," we said.

The day after the confrontation, the eatery's operator got the Health Department back out for a new inspection. Three Star went from seven priority violations down to two. The facility still does not have a certified food manager and the operator is holding raw meat in a way that could cause cross-contamination.

The new report with only two priority violations said, "Facility has vastly improved in cleanliness and food safety. Discussed proper storage of raw chicken in refrigerators. Cooking times are document for chicken wings. Pest control company is now being used. Recommended for permit renewal once Certified Food Manager class has been attended and test passed. Hood Filters are in need of cleaning."

As of February 23 at 10:30 a.m., the following restaurants had the highest number of priority violations, in Norfolk, Va.:

Bootleggers - 4

Greenie's Restaurant - 4

Richard's Restaurant and Lounge - 4

Uptown Buffet - 4

37th and Zen - 3

Pollard's Chicken 3033 Ballentine Blvd - 3

Rom Thai - 3

Most number of Core Violations:

A "Core Violation" is defined by the Virginia Health Code as "Not a priority item." It includes an item that usually relates to general sanitation, operational controls, sanitation standard operating procedures, facilities or structures, equipment design, or general maintenance.

The highest number of Core Violations as of February 23 at 10:30 a.m. in Norfolk, Va. were:

Abingdon's Broadway - 7

China One 4616 Princess Anne Road - 7

China Town 6138 Chesapeake Blvd # A - 10

Delicate China - 9

Fat Philly's II - 7

IHOP 1295 Military Highway - 7

T.J.'s Cantina - 7

On the web:

Virginia Department of Health Restaurant Inspections

WAVY.com Dirty Dining Special Coverage