Lardon & the Union Taproom & the Meadowlark

Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

Inspector’s note: Observed large black waste/ and non-potable water) pipes located directly above food preparation area (juicing, bakery, open bottles) located in basement. Instructed to provide an approved enclosure of piping to prevent possible forms of contamination to food contact surfaces. Must maintain as required. Priority foundation violation. #7-38-005. Citation issued.

Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: 2-402.11 observed two food handlers handling food without proper hair/beard restraints. Instructed to provide and maintain in order to prevent possible contamination.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: 4-601.11(c) observed all equipment stored in 1st floor prep as well as basement prep in need of cleaning. Noted dried food splatter on walls, cooling units, exterior surfaces of equipment, shelving units, inside and alongside frying and grill equipment. Instructed to clean and maintain.

Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: 5-501.11 observed outside grease receptacle in need of cleaning. Noted grease build up on surfaces of said receptacle. Instructed to clean and maintain

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: 6-501.114 observed items stored improperly on basement floors throughout storage spaces. Insturcted to organize, remove unnecesary items and elevate at least 6 inches off floor in order to prevent hiding space for pest. Must maintain premise.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: 6-501.14 observed all vents in ceiling 1st floor prep area as well as ventilation hood with accumulated dust and dirt debris. Instucted to clean and maintain

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: 6-303.11 observed inadequate lighting in basement pastry and prep area. Instructed to increase.

No approval obtained for a specialized processing method.

Inspector’s note: Observed no variance documentation on site for fermentation as required by cdph. Instructed to provide and maintain. Priority foundation violation. 7-38-005. Please see above violation for citation information.

Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

Inspector’s note: Observed approximately 28 small rodent droppings scattered on floor and on top of cardboard boxes containing restaurant supplies in storage area connected to pastry prep and liquor storage.instructed to contact pest control for additional service, remove droppings, clean and sanitize said space. Must eliminate pest activity on premise.priority foundation violation. #7-38-020 (a). Citation issued.

Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed two food handlers handling food without proper hair/beard restraints. Instructed to provide and maintain in order to prevent possible contamination.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed all equipment stored in 1st floor prep as well as basement prep in need of cleaning. Noted dried food splatter on walls, cooling units, exterior surfaces of equipment, shelving units, inside and alongside frying and grill equipment. Instructed to clean and maintain.

Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed outside grease receptacle in need of cleaning. Noted grease build up on surfaces of said receptacle. Instructed to clean and maintain

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed floors throughout 1st floor prep/basement prep behind all prep tables, cooling units and heavy grill/frying equipment and inside floor drains in need of cleaning. Instructed to remove all food debris, organic matter and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed items stored improperly on basement floors throughout storage spaces. Insturcted to organize, remove unnecesary items and elevate at least 6 inches off floor in order to prevent hiding space for pest. Must maintain premise.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed all vents in ceiling 1st floor prep area as well as ventilation hood with accumulated dust and dirt debris. Instucted to clean and maintain

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed inadequate lighting in basement pastry and prep area. Instructed to increase.

Staff personal cleanliness was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed food handlers prepping food without hair restraints. Instructed person in charge that all food handlers must wear a hair restraint.pic in charge gave hats to food handlers.

Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

Inspector’s note: Observed milk crates being used as shelving throughout the prep and storage areas. Must remove and provide shelving that is 6" off the floor and provides floor accessibility to ensure adequate facility cleaning.

Dishwashing equipment wasn’t set up, maintained, or used correctly.

Inspector’s note: Observed no irreversible test strips/testing device on site to adequately ensure the utensil surface temperature (160°f) after the final rinse for high-temp dish machine. Instructed to provide. Priority foundation violation #7-38-005.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed floor drains at all bars and dish area encrusted with food debris and mold like substance, nstructed manager to increase cleaning frequency also clean and maintain all floor drains

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Observed a hanging light shield in the liquor walk in cooler. Instructed to repair and maintain at all times.

A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

Inspector’s note: Noted continued non-compliance from report #2607561 conducted on 11/18/2024 previous core violations not corrected: (#36)4-204.112(b) observed water temperature measuring device instrument gauges at the kitchen area dish machine to be soiled with debris and not easily-readable. Instructed to clean instrument gauges at dish machine and maintain water temperature measuring device instrument gauges easily-readable at alltimes. (47)4-501.11: observed line cooler lids on both prep coolers at the main kitchen line in poor repair, lid latches damaged and partially missing gaskets along edges. Instructed to repair or replace line cooler lids for all prep coolers in the main kitchen line and maintain all equipment in good repair and proper adjustment. (#54)5-501.116: observed build up of grease and debris on exterior of outdoor grease disposal receptacle. Instructed to clean exterior of outdoor…

Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

Inspector’s note: Observed prep and reach-in coolers throughout main kitchen area and basement pastry kitchen area missing internal ambient air thermometers. Instructed to provide at least one internal ambient air thermometer in a conspicuous and easily-viewable location in all equipment used to cold-hold tcs food items and maintain at all times.

Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

Inspector’s note: Observed water temperature measuring device instrument gauges at the kitchen area dish machine to be soiled with debris and not easily-readable. Instructed to clean instrument gauges at dish machine and maintain water temperature measuring device instrument gauges easily-readable at alltimes.

Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

Inspector’s note: Observed line cooler lids on both prep coolers at the main kitchen line in poor repair, lid latches damaged and partially missing gaskets along edges. Instructed to repair or replace line cooler lids for all prep coolers in the main kitchen line and maintain all equipment in good repair and proper adjustment.

Garbage wasn’t handled or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed build up of grease and debris on exterior of outdoor grease disposal receptacle. Instructed to clean exterior of outdoor waste receptacles at adequate frequency to prevent build up of soils and prevent attraction of insects and rodents and maintain.

Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

Inspector’s note: Observed 1/4 inch gap at rear exit door sweep. Must rodent proof said door.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed accumulted dust build up on prep area coolers condensers and food spill inside prep area cooler (under grill). Must clean equipment and maintain.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed ice build on juice reach in 2-door cooler condenser at basement. Must remove ice build up inside said cooler and maintain.

Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

Inspector’s note: Observed 1/4 inch gap at 2202 n california door sweep and at southwest exit door. Must rodent proof doors/make tight fitted.