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  LAOS IN TOWN
Address  250 K ST NE
City/State/Zip Code  WASHINGTON, DC 20002
Telephone
 (202) 864-6620
 E-mail address  laosintown@gmail.com
Date of Inspection
 03
/
 22
/
 2023
    Time In
 03
:
 10
PM     Time Out
 05
:
 15
PM  
License Holder  Neighbour Inc
License/Customer No.  09313xxxx-18000234
License Period
 07 
/
 01 
/
 2022 
 - 
 06 
/
 30 
/
 2024 
 Type of Inspection
 Routine
Establishment Type:  Restaurant Total
    Risk Category 1
 
 2
 
 3
 
 4
 
 5
 
 
Priority Violations  3 COS  1 R  0
Priority Foundation Violations  7 COS  1 R  0
Core Violations  14 COS  2 R  0
Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM)
 ING HATHAI MUANKGKARN 
CFPM #:  FS-100177 

CFPM Expiration Date:   01/27/2025  
D.C. licensed trash or solid waste contractor:
 Dupree 
D.C. licensed sewage & liquid waste transport contractor:
 Planet Fry 
D.C. licensed pesticide operator/contractor:
 Presto 
D.C. licensed ventilation hood system cleaning contractor:
 Safety First 
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  LAOS IN TOWN    Establishment Address  250 K ST NE
OBSERVATIONS 25 DCMR CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
6. - Employee drinking from open cup at the cook line. (Corrected On Site)  500.1 Persons working in direct contact with food, clean equipment and utensils, and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles shall not: (a) Eat, drink, chew gum, or use any form of tobacco, except in designated areas where food, clean equipment and utensils, and unwrapped singleservice and single-use articles are not exposed, and where equipment or utensils are not washed or stored; or (b) Drink, except from a closed beverage container if the container is handled to prevent contamination of the employee's hands or the container, where food, clean equipment and utensils, linens, and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles are exposed, and where equipment or utensils are washed or stored.  
10. - Observed hand washing sink at kitchen has not been supplied with paper towels.  3002.1 Each handwashing sink or group of adjacent sinks shall be provided with: (a) Individual, disposable towels; Pf (b) A continuous towel system that supplies the user with a clean towel; Pf (c) A heated-air hand drying device that is provided in addition to other hand-drying devices at sinks used for food preparation or warewashing areas; Pf or (d) A hand drying device that employs an air-knife system that delivers high velocity, pressurized air at ambient temperatures. Pf  
10. - Hand washing sink in kitchen has been blocked. (Corrected On Site)  2414.1 A handwashing sink shall be maintained so that it is accessible at all times for employee use. Pf  
10. - Observed hand washing sink not supplied with hand washing soap.  3001.1 Each handwashing sink or group of two (2) adjacent sinks shall be provided with a supply of hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap. Pf  
15. - Food stored in uncovered containers at cook line and in walk-in refrigerator. (Corrected On Site)  802.1(c)-(h) Food shall be protected from cross contamination by: (c) Cleaning equipment and utensils as specified in Section 1901 and sanitizing as specified in Section 2002; (d) Except as specified in Section 802.2, storing the food in packages, covered containers, or wrappings; (e) Cleaning hermetically sealed containers of food of visible soil before opening; (f) Protecting food containers that are received packaged together in a case or overwrap from cuts when the case or overwrap is opened; (g) Storing damaged, spoiled, or recalled food being held in the food establishment as specified in Section 3103; and (h) Separating fruits and vegetables, before they are washed as specified in Section 806 from ready-to-eat food.  
15. - Seafood stored below pork and beef in drawer refrigerator at cook line. (Employee put said items in proper hierarchy during the inspection). (Corrected On Site)  802.1(a)-(b) Food shall be protected from cross contamination by: (a) Except as specified in Section 802.1(a)(3), separating raw animal foods during storage, preparation, holding, and display from: (1) Raw ready-to-eat food including other raw animal food such as fish for sushi or molluscan shellfish, or other raw ready-to-eat food such as fruits and vegetables; P and (2) Cooked ready-to-eat food; P and (3) Frozen, commercially processed and packaged raw animal food may be stored or displayed with or above frozen, commercially processed and packaged, ready-to eat food; (b) Except when combined as ingredients, separating types of raw animal foods from each other such as beef, fish, lamb, pork, and poultry during storage, preparation, holding, and display by: (1) Using separate equipment for each type; P or (2) Arranging each type of food in equipment so that cross contamination of one type with another is prevented, and (3) Preparing each type of food at different times or in separate areas. P  
16. - Unclean cutting boards.  1900.1 Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. Pf  
21. - Temperature control for safety foods have been held at temperature below 135 degrees F on stove.  1005.1 Except during preparation, cooking, or cooling, or when time is used as the public health control as specified in Section 1009, potentially hazardous food (time/ temperature control for safety food) shall be maintained: (a) At fifty-seven degrees Celsius (57 degrees C) (one hundred thirty-five degrees Fahrenheit (135 degrees F)) or above, except that roasts cooked to a temperature and for a time specified in Section 900.2 or reheated as specified in Section 906.5 may be held at a temperature of fifty-four degrees Celsius (54 degrees C )(one hundred thirty degrees Fahrenheit ((130 degrees F)) or above. P  
23. - Observed temperature control for safety foods intended to be held for more than 24 hours are not date marked.  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  
33. - TCS foods cooling at room temperature and in deep containers; establishment has not been using proper cooling methods to cool TCS foods.  1004.1 Cooling shall be accomplished in accordance with the time and temperature criteria specified in Section 1003 by using one (1) or more of the following methods based on the type of food being cooled: (a) Placing the food in shallow pans; Pf (b) Separating the food into smaller or thinner portions; Pf (c) Using rapid cooling equipment; Pf (d) Stirring the food in a container placed in an ice water bath; Pf (e) Using containers that facilitate heat transfer; Pf (f) Adding ice as an ingredient; Pf or (g) Other effective methods. Pf  
35. - Observed cooked food items in containers thawing at room temperature.  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.  
37. - Working containers of foods that are not easily recognizable are not name labeled.  803.1 Working containers holding food or food ingredients that are removed from their original packages for use in the food establishment, such as cooking oils, flour, herbs, potato flakes, salt, spices, and sugar shall be identified with the common name of the food, except that containers holding food that can be readily and unmistakably recognized, such as dry pasta, need not be identified.  
37. - Observed improperly labeled and packaged pastry products on shelves at the waitress area.  1102.1 Food packaged in a food establishment, shall be labeled as specified in law, including 21 C.F.R. Section 101 - Food labeling, and 9 C.F.R. Section 317 - Labeling, marking devices, and containers.  
38. - Observed rodent feces and burrows around the trash cans and oil barrel area outside of the building.  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  
39. - Cooked food in portion containers placed on floor at the cook line.  816.1 Except as specified in Sections 816.2 and 816.3, food shall be protected from contamination by storing the food: (a) In a clean, dry location; (b) Where it is not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination; and (c) At least fifteen centimeters (15 cm) or six inches (6 in.) above the floor.  
40. - Employee handling open foods without restraining headhair.  502.1 Food employees shall wear clean and effective hair restraints, such as hairnets or beard nets, if appropriate, and clothing that covers body hair that are designed and worn to effectively keep hair from contacting exposed food, clean equipment and utensils, linens, and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles. Hats, caps, scarves or other head covers are acceptable if the hair is contained to prevent contamination. Hair spray and tying back the hair in a ponytail are not effective hair restraints.  
41. - Observed wiping cloths not kept in sanitizer solution when not in use.  812.2 Cloths that are in-use for wiping counters and other equipment surfaces shall be: (a) Held between uses in a chemical sanitizer solution at a concentration specified in Section 1813; and (b) Laundered daily as specified in Section 2101.4.  
43. - Knives stored in seams between equipment when they are not in use at the cook line area.  810.1 During pauses in food preparation or dispensing, food preparation and dispensing utensils shall be stored: (a) Except as specified in Section 810.1(b), in the food with their handles above the top of the food and the container; (b) In food that is not potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety food) with their handles above the top of the food within containers or equipment that can be closed, such as bins of sugar, flour, or cinnamon; (c) On a clean portion of the food preparation table or cooking equipment only if the in-use utensil and the food contact surface of the food preparation table or cooking equipment are cleaned and sanitized at a frequency specified in Sections 1901 and 2001; (d) In running water of sufficient velocity to flush particulates to the drain, if used with moist food such as ice cream or mashed potatoes; (e) In a clean, protected location if the utensils, such as ice scoops, are used only with a food that is not potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety food); or (f) In a container of water if the water is maintained at a temperature of at least fifty-seven degrees Celsius (57 degrees C) (one hundred thirty-five degrees Fahrenheit (135 degrees F)) and the container is cleaned at a frequency specified in Section 1901.3.  
45. - Single use food containers in cardboard boxes stored on floor at dry storage room.  2203.1 Cleaned equipment and utensils, laundered linens, and single-service and single-use articles, except as specified in Section 2203.4, shall be stored: (a) In a clean, dry location; (b) Where they are not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination; and (c) At least fifteen centimeters (15 cm) or six inches (6 in.) above the floor.  
47. - Cutting boards are heavily scratched and can no longer be effectively cleaned and sanitized.  1801.1 Surfaces such as cutting blocks and boards that are subject to scratching and scoring shall be resurfaced if they can no longer be effectively cleaned and sanitized, or discarded if they are not capable of being resurfaced.  
49. - Cooking equipment surfaces not cleaned to preclude food residue accumulation.  1900.3 Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris.  
51. - Observed loose valve knob for the food preparation sink faucet.  2418.1 A plumbing system shall be: (a) Repaired according to the D.C. Plumbing Code (2008) incorporating the International Plumbing Code 2006, as amended by the D.C. Plumbing Code Supplement (subtitle F of 12 DCMR); and (b) Maintained in good repair.  
52. - Observed sewage backup at the floor drain at the bar.  2604.1 Sewage shall be conveyed to the point of disposal through an approved sanitary sewage system or other system, including use of sewage transport vehicles, waste retention tanks, pumps, pipes, hoses, and connections that are constructed, maintained, and operated in accordance with the D.C. Plumbing Code (2008) incorporating the International Plumbing Code 2006, as amended by the D.C. Plumbing Code Supplement (subtitle F of 12 DCMR). P  
54. - Unclean area around trash cans and used oil barrel.  2715.1 A storage area and enclosure for refuse, recyclables, or returnables shall be maintained free of unnecessary items, and kept clean.  
 
Temperatures
 Item/Location Temp  Item/Location Temp  Item/Location Temp  Item/Location Temp
Meat (Reach-in Freezer) (Cold Holding) 0.0F Curry Sauce (Walk-in Refrigerator) (Cooling) 49.0F Curry Sauce (Walk-in Refrigerator) (Cooling) 47.0F Sauce (Walk-in Refrigerator) (Cooling) 49.0F
Curry Sauce (Walk-in Refrigerator) (Cooling) 49.0F Sauce (Walk-in Refrigerator) (Cold Holding) 39.0F Hot Water (Handwashing Sink (kitchen)) 114.0F Hot Water (3-compartment sink) 112.0F
Meat (Refrigerator - drawer) (Cold Holding) 40.0F Rice steamed (Room) (Holding) 119.0F Spring Rolls (Room) (Holding) 75.0F Curry Sauce (Room) (Cooling) 151.0F
Chicken (Room) (Holding) 94.0F Tofu (Room) (Holding) 66.0F Curry Sauce (Stove) (Hot Holding) 106.0F Curry Sauce (Stove) (Hot Holding) 105.0F
Curry Sauce (Stove) (Hot Holding) 101.0F            
Inspector Comments:
SUMMARY SUSPENSION for Operating a food establishment with a sewage backup [25-A DCMR 4408.1(e)]

In order for license to be restored, a non-compliance restoration fee of $100 (for re-inspection during normal business hours) or $400 (for re-inspection during non-business hours) must be paid before an inspection can be scheduled and all violations must be corrected and approved by DC Health).

Please see the details in the Restoration Procedures document provided by the inspector. The Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA) Processing Center is open to the public Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 9 am – 1 pm, and Wednesday, 9 am - 3:30 pm (except holidays). Please note: Violations of the D.C. Department of
Health’s Food Code may incur administrative and/or civil fines and penalties.

If you have question, please contact supervisor at food.safety@dc.gov.
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.
  Ing Hathai Muankgkarn 03/22/2023
 Person-in-Charge (Signature) (Print) Date
    Jemal Yasin 026  03/22/2023 
  Inspector (Signature) (Print) Badge # Date
    2023