Panera Panned in Latest Health Dept. Inspection

Panera Bread restaurant at 1063 Post Rd. was the only restaurant in town out of seven to receive a "Poor" grade from Darien Health Department inspectors in recent visits.

Panera was also the restaurant where a Stamford family took home a large cookie only to find a nail from a storage and moving pallet was stuck to the bottom.

Town Health Department inspectors also recently began regular inspections of the new restaurants located in the Interstate 95 Darien North rest stop, all of which received ratings of "Good" in the town's health inspections rating system.

The following list shows what scores local food-serving establishments received under the state scoring system ("state rating") from Darien Health Department inspectors, the rating under the Darien system ("Darien rating"), the inspection date and comments by the inspectors as noted in inspection reports.

Restaurants that fail inspections must correct them by the next inspection. If the Health Department deems a restaurant's condition dangerous to the public, the restaurant will be closed until corrections are made, according to David Knauf, director of the town Health Department.

These reports were recently released by the Darien Health Department:


Panera Bread, 1063 Post Rd. -- Dec. 9
State rating: 84
Darien rating: "Poor"

Inspector's remarks: "* Employees have been trained in regards to hand-washing procedures. Copy given during inspection.

"Fruit flies are still a problem; unclean floors (front & prep), plumbing called, sched[uled] tomorrow; sweeping floors around uncovered baked items; trash piled up outside door, overflowing, four bags on ground; reusing wiping cloth in hand sink (front), soups at 160 [degrees] and hot holding; improperly thawing meats in prep sink -- no cold running water; Alt form not complete; dumping in hand sink downstairs (ice & wiping cloth); unclean floor in walk-in fridge (under shelving); milk at 40 degrees, customer coffee station; all refrigeration 45 degrees; training forms shown; two large containers of cheese at 60 degrees -- Fontal Baton Sticks, Alex Acostas, assistant manager, disposed of cheese out of temperature [...] dishwasher at 143 degrees wash, 184 degrees rinse."


Bertucci's Italian Restaurant, 54 Post Rd. -- Dec. 6
State rating: 93
Darien rating: "Good"

Inspector's remarks: "Sauce stored in hand sink (improper thawing); knife not stored properly between use (soiled on cutting board), pizza prep area; improper thawing of chicken breast (left out on top of boxes); improper sink used for handwashing (prep sink); serving plates and take-out containers not stored inverted; ice scoop not properly stored in kitchen; hand towel dispenser not working -- cook line (corrected)."


Sbarro restaurant, Interstate 95 Darien North rest stop -- Dec. 6
State rating: 96
Darien rating: "Good"

Inspector's remarks: "Cutting board in prep grooved and not clean; no trash receptacle at hand sink in kitchen; dustless sweeping not achieved in line service."


McDonald's, Interstate 95 Darien North rest stop -- Dec. 6
State rating: 97
Darien rating: "Good"

Inspector's remarks: "No soap at hand sink, back of kitchen; various items stored in hand sink (ware-wash area)."

Subway Restaurant, Interstate 95 Darien North rest stop -- Dec. 6
State rating: 96
Darien rating: "Good"

Inspector's remarks: "Open food containers for consuption by employees in prep area; no visible thermometer in reach-in cooler, service line."


Dunkin Donut, Interstate 95 Darien North rest stop -- Dec. 6
State rating: 96
Darien rating: "Good"

Inspector's remarks: "Hand-wash sink in ware-wash area in disrepair; floor throughout establishment not clean; outside of oven not clean; storage containers not stored inverted."

Mac 'N Out, Interstate 95 Darien North rest stop -- Dec. 6
State rating: 93
Darien rating: "Good"

Inspector's remarks: "Ice scoop not properly stored (service area); mop improperly stored; single-use container used for scoop in flour (no handle); wiping cloths not kept in sanitizer between use; no visible thermometer in prep tables (cook line)."

Editor's note: The address of the Dunkin Donuts shop mentioned above has been added at 9:08 a.m., which makes it clear which Dunkin Donuts in town was inspected.