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  LA PLAZA RESTAURANT
Address  629 PENNSYLVANIA AVE SE
City/State/Zip Code  Washington, DC 20003
Telephone
 (202) 546-9512
 E-mail address  hmendoza932@gmail.com
Date of Inspection
 05
/
 08
/
 2024
    Time In
 05
:
 15
PM     Time Out
 06
:
 00
PM  
License Holder  La Plaza Inc
License/Customer No.  09313xxxx-53000422
License Period
 05 
/
 01 
/
 2024 
 - 
 04 
/
 30 
/
 2026 
 Type of Inspection
 Routine
Establishment Type:  Restaurant Total
    Risk Category 1
 
 2
 
 3
 
 4
 
 5
 
 
Priority Violations  2 COS  2 R  0
Priority Foundation Violations  3 COS  0 R  0
Core Violations  4 COS  1 R  0
Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM)
 JUAN CRUZ 
CFPM #:  FS-97774 

CFPM Expiration Date:   04/14/2025  
D.C. licensed trash or solid waste contractor:
 BFI 
D.C. licensed sewage & liquid waste transport contractor:
 Thomas Mangement 
D.C. licensed pesticide operator/contractor:
 BFI 
D.C. licensed ventilation hood system cleaning contractor:
 Safety First Services 
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  LA PLAZA RESTAURANT    Establishment Address  629 PENNSYLVANIA AVE SE
OBSERVATIONS 25 DCMR CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
9. - Observed employee cutting onions for salsa with bare hands. (Cut onions discarded; employee doned disposable hand gloves during the inspection to handle ready-to-eat foods). (Corrected On Site)  800.2 Except when washing fruits and vegetables as specified in Section 806 or as specified in Section 800.4 food employees shall not contact exposed, ready to eat food with their bare hands and shall use suitable utensils such as deli tissue, spatulas, tongs, single-use gloves or dispensing equipment. P  
15. - Foods are not stored in a manner to protect from cross contamination in walk-in refrigerator (raw shrimp stored above ready-to-eat foods). (PIC stored said foods in proper hiearchy 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  
15. - Observed foods stored in uncovered containers in walk-in refrigerator. (CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 14 CALENDAR DAYS)  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.  
16. - Observed unclean surfaces inside ice making machine. (CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 5 CALENDAR DAYS)  1900.1 Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. Pf  
23. - Observed temperature control for safety foods intended to be held for more than 24 hours are not date marked.(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  
38. - Observed rodent feces on floor at the bar. (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  
43. - Observed tongs not stored in sanitary manner in between uses at the cook line. (Corrected On Site)  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.  
47. - Observed corroded wire racks observed in the walk-in refrigerator. (CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 14 CALENDAR DAYS)  1400.1(b)-(e) Materials that are used in the construction of utensils and food-contact surfaces of equipment shall not allow the migration of deleterious substances, or impart colors, odors, or tastes to food, and under normal use conditions shall be: (b) Durable, corrosion-resistant, and nonabsorbent; (c) Sufficient in weight and thickness to withstand repeated warewashing; (d) Finished to have a smooth, easily cleanable surface; and (e) Resistant to pitting, chipping, crazing, scratching, scoring, distortion, and decomposition.  
49. - Observed wire racks not cleaned as needed in the walk-in refrigerator. (CORRECT VIOLATION WITHIN 14 CALENDAR DAYS)  1903.1 Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil residues.  
 
Sanitizer: Chlorine, 50 ppm, 0.0 pH, 123.0°F 
Temperatures
 Item/Location Temp  Item/Location Temp  Item/Location Temp  Item/Location Temp
Rice steamed (Stove) (Cooking) 211.0F Hot Water (Handwashing Sink (kitchen)) 130.0F Hot Water (3-compartment sink) 130.0F Yucca (Walk-in Refrigerator) (Cold Holding) 40.0F
Chicken (Walk-in Refrigerator) (Cooking) 40.0F Rice steamed (Hot Holding Display Unit) (Hot Holding) 150.0F Beans (Hot Bar) (Hot Holding) 152.0F Chicken (Hot Holding Unit) (Hot Holding) 154.0F
Cheese (Reach-in Refrigerator) (Cold Holding) 38.0F Pico (Reach-in Refrigerator) (Cold Holding) 38.0F Lettuce (Reach-in Refrigerator) (Cold Holding) 38.0F Fish raw (Reach-in Freezer) (Cold Holding) -6.0F
Meat (Reach-in Freezer) (Cold Holding) -6.0F            
Inspector Comments:
Correct cited violations within 5 AND 14 calendar-days.

If you have any questions, please contact the Area Supervisor at food.safety@dc.gov with your inquiry details.
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.
  Juan Cruz 05/08/2024
 Person-in-Charge (Signature) (Print) Date
    Jemal Yasin 026  05/08/2024 
  Inspector (Signature) (Print) Badge # Date
    2023