image Food Establishment Inspection Report
Pursuant to Title 25-A of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations 		image
Health Regulation & Licensing Administration  •  Office of Food, Drug, Radiation, and Community Hygiene  •  2201 Shannon Place, SE - 2nd Floor  •  Washington, DC 20020
http://doh.dc.gov/service/food-safety      email: food.safety@dc.gov
Establishment Name  BUKOM RESTAURANT & LOUNGE (n)
Address  2442 18TH ST NW
City/State/Zip Code  WASHINGTON, DC 20009
Telephone
 (202) 265-4600
 E-mail address  rasfele@gmail.com
Date of Inspection
 01
/
 17
/
 2023
    Time In
 04
:
 20
PM     Time Out
 12
:
 30
PM  
License Holder  Bukom Restaurant & Lounge, LLC
License/Customer No.  00CAP-931323000174
License Period
 11 
/
 23 
/
 2022 
 - 
 03 
/
 15 
/
 2023 
 Type of Inspection
 Change of Ownership
Establishment Type:  Restaurant Total
    Risk Category 1
 
 2
 
 3
 
 4
 
 5
 
 
Priority Violations  0 COS  0 R  0
Priority Foundation Violations  4 COS  0 R  0
Core Violations  6 COS  2 R  0
Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM)
 EBENEZER MATEY 
CFPM #:  FS-99271 

CFPM Expiration Date:   07/27/2025  
D.C. licensed trash or solid waste contractor:
 Good Friends (agreement date on 12/12/2022) 
D.C. licensed sewage & liquid waste transport contractor:
 Valley Protein (Agreement date on 02/20/2022) 
D.C. licensed pesticide operator/contractor:
 Prmax Service Contract on 02/20/2022 
D.C. licensed ventilation hood system cleaning contractor:
 B & N Commercial Cleaning 
FOODBORNE ILLNESS RISK FACTORS AND PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTIONS
  Compliance Status COS R
  Supervision  
IN OUT 1. Person in charge present, demonstrates knowledge, and performs duties
 
 
IN OUT 2. Certified Food Protection Manager
 
 
  Employee Health  
IN OUT 3. Management, food employee, and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities, and reporting
 
 
IN OUT 4. Proper use of restriction and exclusion
 
 
IN OUT 5. Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
 
 
  Good Hygienic Practices  
IN OUT N/O 6. Proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
 
 
IN OUT N/O 7. No discharge from eyes, nose, and mouth
 
 
  Control of Hands as a Vehicle of Contamination  
IN OUT N/O 8. Hands clean and properly washed
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 9. No bare hand contact with RTE foods or a pre-approved alternate procedure properly allowed
 
 
IN OUT 10. Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
 
 
  Approved Source  
IN OUT 11. Food obtained from approved source
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 12. Food received at proper temperature
 
 
IN OUT 13. Food in good condition, safe, and unadulterated
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 14. Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction
 
 
  Protection from Contamination  
IN OUT N/A 15. Food separated and protected
 
 
IN OUT N/A 16. Food-contact surfaces: cleaned and sanitized
 
 
IN OUT 17. Proper disposition of returned, previously served, reconditioned, and unsafe food
 
 
  Potentially Hazardous Food (Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food)  
IN OUT N/A N/O 18. Proper cooking time and temperatures
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 19. Proper reheating procedures for hot holding
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 20. Proper cooling time and temperature
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 21. Proper hot holding temperatures
 
 
IN OUT N/A 22. Proper cold holding temperatures
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 23. Proper date marking and disposition
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 24. Time as a public health control: procedures and records
 
 
  Consumer Advisory  
IN OUT N/A 25. Consumer advisory provided for raw or undercooked foods
 
 
  Highly Susceptible Populations  
IN OUT N/A 26. Pasteurized foods used; prohibited foods not offered
 
 
  Chemical  
IN OUT N/A 27. Food additives: approved and properly used
 
 
IN OUT N/A 28. Toxic substances properly identified, stored, and used
 
 
  Conformance with Approved Procedures  
IN OUT N/A 29. Compliance with variance, specialized process, and HACCP plan
 
 
 
GOOD RETAIL PRACTICES
  Compliance Status COS R
  Safe Food and Water  
IN OUT N/A 30. Pasteurized eggs used where required
 
 
IN OUT 31. Water and ice from approved source
 
 
IN OUT N/A 32. Variance obtained for specialized processing methods
 
 
  Food Temperature Control  
IN OUT 33. Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 34. Plant food properly cooked for hot holding
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 35. Approved thawing methods used
 
 
IN OUT 36. Thermometers provided and accurate
 
 
  Food Identification  
IN OUT 37. Food properly labeled; original container
 
 
  Prevention of Food Contamination  
IN OUT 38. Insects, rodents, and animals not present
 
 
IN OUT 39. Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage, and display
 
 
IN OUT N/A 40. Personal cleanliness
 
 
IN OUT 41. Wiping cloths: properly used and stored
 
 
IN OUT N/A N/O 42. Washing fruits and vegetables
 
 
  Proper Use of Utensils  
IN OUT 43. In-use utensils: properly stored
 
 
IN OUT 44. Utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried, and handled
 
 
IN OUT 45. Single-use/single-service articles: properly stored and used
 
 
IN OUT N/A 46. Gloves used properly
 
 
  Utensils, Equipment, and Vending  
IN OUT 47. Food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
 
 
IN OUT 48. Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained, and used; test strips
 
 
IN OUT 49. Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
 
 
  Physical Facilities  
IN OUT 50. Hot and cold water available; adequate pressure
 
 
IN OUT 51. Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
 
 
IN OUT 52. Sewage and waste water properly disposed
 
 
IN OUT 53. Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, and cleaned
 
 
IN OUT 54. Garbage and refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained
 
 
IN OUT 55. Physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
 
 
IN OUT 56. Adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas used
 
 
IN = in compliance OUT = not in compliance N/O = not observed
N/A = not applicable COS = corrected on-site R = repeat violation
Establishment Name  BUKOM RESTAURANT & LOUNGE (n)    Establishment Address  2442 18TH ST NW
OBSERVATIONS 25 DCMR CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
3. - The establishment did not provide proof of an employee health policy for the prevention of foodborne illness. I provided the establishment with a copy of the Food Code's conditional employee and food employee interview, reporting agreement, and medical referral forms. (Corrected On Site)  300.1 The licensee shall require food employees and conditional employees to report to the person in charge, in accordance with this Section, information about their health and activities as they relate to diseases that are transmissible through food.  
10. - There is no handwashing sink installed at the bar. (Correct Violation Within 5 Calendar Days)  2406.1 Handwashing sinks shall be provided for employees' use in areas specified in Section 2411 in accordance with the D.C. Plumbing Code (2008) incorporating the International Plumbing Code (2006) or most recent edition, as amended by the D.C. Plumbing Code Supplement (subtitle F of 12 DCMR). Pf  
16. - Mold was observed on the ice maker's ice chute.(CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 5 CALENDAR DAYS)  1900.1 Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. Pf  
23. - Temperature control for safety foods intended to be held for more than 24 hours are not date marked inside walk-in cooler.(CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 5 CALENDAR DAYS)  1007.1 Except when packaging food using a reduced oxygen packaging method as specified in Section 1011, and except as specified in Section 1007.4 and 1007.5, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous food (time/temperature control for safety food) prepared and held in a food establishment for more than twenty- four (24) hours shall be clearly marked to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded when held at a temperature of five degrees Celsius (5 degrees C) (forty-one degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees F)) or less for a maximum of seven (7) days. Pf  
35. - A container of vegetable foods was observed improperly thawing in at room temperature in the kitchen. A container of vegetable foods were relocated in to walk-in cooler. (Corrected On Site)  1002.1 Except as specified in Section 1002.5, potentially hazardous food (time/temperature control for safety food) shall be thawed under refrigeration that maintains the food temperature at five degrees Celsius (5 degrees C) (forty-one degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees F)) or less; or: (a) Completely submerged under running water: (1) At a water temperature of twenty-one degrees Celsius (21 degrees C) (seventy degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees F)) or below; (2) With sufficient water velocity to agitate and float off loose particles in an overflow; (3) For a period of time that does not allow thawed portions of ready-to-eat food to rise above five degrees Celsius (5 degrees C) (forty-one degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees F)); or (4) For a period of time that does not allow thawed portions of a raw animal food requiring cooking as specified in Sections 900.1 and 900.2 to be above five degrees Celsius (5 degrees C) (forty-one degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees F)), or seven degrees Celsius (7 degrees C) (forty-five degrees Fahrenheit (45 degrees F)) as specified in Sections 900.1 and 900.2, for more than four (4) hours including the time the food is exposed to the running water and the time needed for preparation for cooking, or the time it takes under refrigeration to lower the food temperature (41 degrees F)); (b) As a part of a cooking process if the food that is frozen is: (1) Cooked as specified in Sections 900.1, 900.2 or Section 901; or (2) Thawed in a microwave oven and immediately transferred to conventional cooking equipment, with no interruption in the process; or (c) Using any procedure if a portion of frozen ready-to-eat food is thawed and prepared for immediate service in response to an individual consumer's order.  
36. - There is no working thermometer in the walk-in refrigerator.(CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 14 CALENDAR DAYS)  1524.2 Cold or hot holding equipment used for potentially hazardous food (time/temperature control for safety food) shall be designed to include and shall be equipped with at least one (1) integral or permanently affixed temperature measuring device that is located to allow easy viewing of the device's temperature display, except as specified in Section 1524.3.  
38. - Rodent activities were observed on the shelve in the kitchen.(CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 5 CALENDAR DAYS)  3210.1 The premises shall be maintained free of insects, rodents, and other pests. The presence of insects, rodents, and other pests shall be controlled to minimize their presence on the premises by: Pf (a) Routinely inspecting incoming shipments of food and supplies; Pf (b) Routinely inspecting the premises for evidence of pests; Pf (c) Using methods, if pests are found, such as trapping devices or other means of pest control as specified in Sections 3402, 3410 and 3411; Pf and (d) Eliminating harborage conditions. Pf  
38. - The physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean.(CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 14 CALENDAR DAYS)  2912.1 Except as otherwise specified in Sections 2912.2 through 2912.5, the outer openings of a food establishment shall be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by: (a) Filling or closing holes and other gaps along floors, walls, and ceilings; (b) Closed, tight-fitting windows; and (c) Solid, self-closing, tight-fitting doors.  
55. - Unclean flooring was observed along floor perimeters in various location (i.e. rodent feces, grease, and debris). (CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 14 CALENDAR DAYS)  3201.1 The physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean.  
62. - A current inspection report, business license, and certificate of occupancy are not posted in a location that is conspicuous to consumers. (Correct Violation Within 14 Calendar Days)  4306.3 All licenses, Certificate of Occupancy, and current inspection reports shall be conspicuously posted within the food establishment.  
 
Temperatures
 Item/Location Temp  Item/Location Temp  Item/Location Temp  Item/Location Temp
Stew - Beef (Walk-in Refrigerator) (Cold Holding) 37.0F Salmon (Walk-in Refrigerator) (Cold Holding) 38.0F (Walk-in Refrigerator) (Cold Holding) 40.0F Cabbage (Reach-in Refrigerator) (Cold Holding) 37.0F
Chicken Wings (Reach-in Refrigerator) (Cold Holding) 38.0F (Reach-in Refrigerator) (Cold Holding) 40.0F Plantains (Deep Fryer) (Cooking) 148.0F Fish fried (Display Freezer) (Reheating) 177.0F
Stew (Steam Table) (Hot Holding) 135.0F Beef Stew (Steam Table) (Hot Holding) 137.0F Chicken Stew (Steam Table) (Hot Holding) 136.0F Hot Water (Final Rinse Cycle - Warewashing Machine) 190.0F
Hot Water (Handwashing Sink - Dishwash area) 118.0F Hot Water (Handwashing Sink - toilet/female) 100.0F Hot Water (3-compartment sink) 115.0F    
Inspector Comments:
Correct cited violations within 5 Calendar-days.

Correct cited violations within 14 Calendar-days.

If you have any questions, please contact the area supervisor by emailing food.safety@dc.gov with your inquiry details.

Not approved at this time for operation or licensure.
DC Health does not assign a grade, percentage, or rating for establishment inspection reports. We perform a pass-fail inspection. The amount of Priority, Priority Foundation, and Core violations are tallied at the top of each inspection report. DC Health also performs follow up inspections to ensure the violations which were cited on the initial report have been corrected. To view an establishment's inspection report, follow this link: https://dc.healthinspections.us.
  Ebenezer Matey 01/17/2023
 Person-in-Charge (Signature) (Print) Date
    Mengestayhu Akelat 607  01/17/2023 
  Inspector (Signature) (Print) Badge # Date
    2023