Wausau Pilot & Review

Monthly, Wausau Pilot publishes the results of health inspections at local bars and restaurants. When interpreting these results, it is important to note that there is a wide range of severity in health regulations. Many, if not most, violations are minor, ranging from cracked floor tiles to boxes improperly stored in a kitchen area. These types of violations are noted, but they clearly do not pose an immediate health risk to consumers. Others are core violations that are more consequential. Repeated violations are also noted. Though all violations are listed on the Marathon County Health Department’s reports, readers are urged to consider violations on a case-by-case basis.

  1. Casa Mezcal
    • Address: 420 4th St, Mosinee, WI 54455
    • Inspection Date: 3/7/2024. Two violations.
    • When thawing Talapia, must cut open the package or remove fish totally from reduced oxygen environment.
    • The food prep sink is not designed to be used as a handwash sink. Remove soap and the sign from the food prep sink. Use the 2 sinks closet to the cookline and dishwasher for handwashing.
  2. Ciao
    • Address: 307 3rd Av, Wausau, WI 54403
    • Inspection Date: 3/5/2024. No violations.
  3. Courtyard by Marriott
    • Address: 1000 S 22nd Av, Wausau, WI 54401
    • Inspection Date: 3/12/2024. No violations.
  4. EconoLodge
    • Address: 1510 County Rd XX, Rothschild, WI 54474
    • Inspection Date: 3/26/2024. One violation. Cream cheese (and other food items) in the countertop refrigerator are being cold held at 51.9°F.
  5. El Tequila Salsa
    • Address: 151522 County Rd NN Suite 103, Wausau, WI 54401
    • Inspection Date: 3/5/2024. Five violations.
    • Employees were observed not washing their hands after removing their soiled single use glove and before putting on new single use gloves.
    • The Person in Charge (PIC) is not monitoring the handwashing activities of employees. This is regarding the observation of employees not washing their hands prior to applying new clean single use gloves.
    • The kitchen handwashing sink was observed being used to wash jalapenos and tomatoes during inspection.
    • Water squeeze bottles on the cooking line are not labeled.
    • The Boss Bin, used to store taco salad bowls, is not ANSI/NSF certified.
  6. Great Dane Pub & Brewery
    • Address: 2305 Sherman St, Wausau, WI 54401
    • Inspection Date: 3/29/2024. No violations. (Re inspection)
  7. Hardee’s of Stettin
    • Address: 2609 Stewart Av, Wausau, WI 54401
    • Inspection Date: 3/29/2024. Eight violations.
    • Four apple turnovers in the front-of-house hot holding unit were observed to have internal temperatures between 105 and 110°F after several hours. Food items were discarded in the presence of the inspector. Operator was directed not to use the unit for hot holding purposes until maintenance is performed and correct hot holding temperatures can be achieved.
    • Hot holding temperatures not being monitored. Four apple turnovers found held under 135 F for approximately 3 hours. Items were discarded in presence of inspector.
    • No chlorine test kit is available for monitoring sanitizer concentration.
    • Plastic food storage pans and lids in walk-in cooler have debris on top and grease and residue on exterior surfaces from continuous use without cleaning. Fry-handling utensils contain significant build-up of brown gunk and dripped liquid onto floor when picked up. Interior surface of dispenser for water cups behind counter soiled with debris and food residue. In the clean utensil and ware area numerous items found to be inadequately washed as evidenced by dried-on food debris, including pans, lids, whisks, a ladle, and condiment bottles.
    • Squeeze bottles for condiments and sauces on cookline observed not to be labeled as to the identity of the contents.
    • Hamburger buns were observed to be falling out of toasting machine onto surfaces not intended for food contact with various kinds of dry food debris from day’s production. Buns were left unattended on surface until needed for order.
    • Exterior of dish machine coated in oily residue. Mold growth on SDS book in warewashing area. Significant accumulations of food debris inside cookline counter cooler that is missing a panel. Area of walk-in cooler on and around cooling unit harbors significant accumulations of mold and mildew, including the unit, drain pipe, adjacent wall, ceiling, and light fixture.
    • Multiple areas of dried fecal matter observed on floor of men’s restroom.
  8. Hoehn’s Huddle
    • Address: 840 Grand Av, Schofield, WI 54476
    • Inspection Date: 3/1/2024. Four violations.
    • (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION):  Shell eggs and vacuum-sealed raw steak items stored over fully-cooked prime rib. Corrected during inspection.
    • Various temperature-sensitive food items in coolers found lacking date marking, including sauce/condiment bottles.
    • Menu contains consumer advisory but does not indicate which menu items may be served undercooked.
    • Plastic bins and shelves used to hold cleaned utensils, wares, and cooking equipment contained significant accumulations of food debris and residue, as well as the floor areas under shelves and equipment.
  9. IHOP
    • Address: 2008 N Mountain Rd, Wausau, WI 54401
    • Inspection Date: 3/29/2024. No violations.
  10. Jimmy Johns
    • Address: 2205 Stewart Av, Wausau, WI 54401
    • Inspection Date: 3/20/2024. Two violations.
    • An employees open beverage can was observed in the sandwich preparation area.
    •  (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION):  A cell phone was set on the back of a slicer.
  11. Kentucky Fried Chicken
    • Address: 222 Stewart Av, Wausau, WI 54401
    • Inspection Date: 3/15/2024. Five violations.
    • CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION):Chicken tenders were not cooked to a temperature of 165°F for 15 seconds.
    • The Person in Charge (PIC) must verify that employees are cooking raw animal derived foods (poultry) to the appropriate cook temperature (165F).
    • The red colored thermometer, used in food establishment, was not accurate to +/- 2°F. A difference of 5F using an ice bath was observed.
    • (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION):  Thermometer in the Walk-in Cooler was not easily readable.
    • Floor tiles in front of the food prep sink and floor drain by the fryer are missing and the floor is no longer easily cleanable.
  12. Meyer’s Landing
    • Address: 203031 State Highway 34, Mosinee, WI 54455
    • Inspection Date: 3/19/2024. One violation.
    • Consumer advisory is missing the disclosure statement.When updating menu must identify items that maybe served undercooked. (burgers)
  13. Nancy’s Jamars Countryside Bar
    • Address: 158241 E Wausau Av, Wausau, WI 54403
    • Inspection Date: 3/12/2024. Four violations.
    • Sliced tomato and tartar sauce in the Kitchen Reach-in Cooler was cold held at 44.4F and 43.4°F respectively.
    • The Person in Charge (PIC) is not monitoring the food temperatures during cold holding. This is regarding food in the kitchen reach-in cooler being above 41F.
    • A pail storing shrimp was observed being stored on the floor of the Walk-in Cooler.
    • Single-use food containers, (sour cream, butter containers) were observed being reused as food storage containers.
  14. Paper City Lanes
    • Address: 309 3rd, Mosinee, WI 54455
    • Inspection Date: 3/8/2024. One violation.
    • There is no approved or current certified food manager for this establishment.
  15. Patro’n Mexican Restaurant and Bar
    • Address: 4403 Schofield Av, Weston, WI 54476
    • Inspection Date: 3/19/2024. Six violations.
    • Person in charge (PIC) found not to be knowledgeable on proper temperatures and timeframes for the safe cooling and reheating of foods.
    • CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION):  Four bags of raw chicken observed thawing in standing water in kitchen prep sink. Two sealed raw pork loins observed on counter unattended at ambient temperature.
    • CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION):  Puncture point and adjacent surfaces of counter-mounted can opener found to have food debris and residue indicative of infrequent cleaning.
    • Several foods found stored uncovered in walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer including shredded lettuce, can of tomato puree, tamales, chile relleno, and fried ice cream.
    • Several plastic bins for storing cleaned lids and utensils found to contain dried food debris.
    • CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION):  Back room receiving door found propped open with towel, creating potential entry point for pests.
  16. Perry & Tina’s Family Tradition
    • Address: 173130 State Highway 153, Hatley, WI 54440
    • Inspection Date: 3/26/2024. No violations found.
  17. Pho Zone
    • Address: 4204 Schofield Av, Weston, WI 54476
    • Inspection Date: 3/7/2024. Five violations.
    • The sanitizer in the warewashing machine is not being used according to EPA registered label use instructions and is at <50 PPM.
    • The Person in Charge (PIC) is not monitoring proper sanitization techniques in the food establishment. This is regarding inadequate sanitizer concentrations in the warewashing machine.
    • Insufficient water temperature at kitchen handwashing sink by the dishwasher.
    • (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION):  The Saturn Prep Table was not equipped with an integral or permanently affixed thermometer.
    • The interior and exterior of cooling equipment is not cleaned frequently enough.
  18. Pizza Hut #032799
    • Address: 2701 Schofield Av, Weston, WI 54476
    • Inspection Date: 3/19/2024. Four violations.
    • Single-use plastic bowls for pasta items stored face down on wire rack with heavy accumulations of food residue and debris. Food-contact items and utensils stored in plastic bins found to be in contact with dried food debris at bottom of bin, including plastic and metal pans, pan lids, measuring cups, and pizza box supports.
    • (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION):  Two cases of traditional style chicken wings were observed stored on the floor of the walk-in freezer.
    • Upright hot-holding unit is not equipped with an integral or permanently affixed temperature measuring device.
    • Pizza oven conveyor belt, rollers, catch trays, and other internal surfaces heavily soiled with food debris and residue. Exterior surfaces of dish machine contain significant grease and debris buid-up. Wire racks and plastic bins that hold utensils have significant accumulations of food residue and debris.
  19. Pro Players Sports Bar & Grill
    • Address: 206 Grand Av, Schofield, WI 54476
    • Inspection Date: 3/12/2024. One violation.
    •  (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): A number of items in the walk-in cooler such as beer batter, garlic parmesan sauce, and stingin’ honey sauce were observed to have date marks beyond the 7-day allowance for foods transferred out of manufacturer’s container.
  20. Salty Bones
    • Address: 145727 State Highway 153, Mosinee, WI 54455
    • Inspection Date: 3/20/2024. Five violations.
    • (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION):Soup held in the small one door cooler at temp of 48 degrees. Soup was pulled and discarded.
    • (REPEAT):  All Reduced Oxygen Packaged fish must have the packaged cut open during the thawing process.
    • Consumer advisory is missing the disclosure statement. Must identify items that would be served under cooked. (burgers)
    • Label the larger juice jugs as to contents. (Hard Apple Pie drink)
    • The garage door has a large gap on the bottom. Repair door to entry of pest.
  21. Subway
    • Address: 4300 Rib Mountain Dr, Wausau, WI 54401
    • Inspection Date: 3/26/2024. Two violations.
    • The sanitizer mixing valve is dispensing quaternary sanitizer over the EPA registered label use instructions and was observed at over 500 PPM.
    • The Person in Charge (PIC) is unable to demonstrate knowledge of proper sanitization methods for utensils and food contact surfaces. This is regarding questions asked about the cleaning procedure and the deli slicer.
  22. Subway #134
    • Address: 670 Maratech Av, Marathon, WI 54448
    • Inspection Date: 3/22/2024. Three violations.
    • (REPEAT):Vinyl tile in front of the receiving door is damaged and pieces are missing. This portion of the floor is no longer easily cleanable.
    • (REPEAT):  The receiving door is not tight-fitting. Daylight can be seen underneath. Repair weather stripping.
    • (REPEAT):  Retail food establishment permit is not posted in a conspicous area in the food establishment.
  23. Subway #135
    • Address: 490 Orbiting Dr, Mosinee, WI 54455
    • Inspection Date: 3/28/2024. One violation.
    • Food items in walk-in cooler are being cold held at 44-46°F.
  24. The Hall Bar and Bowl
    • Address: 221 Caroline St, Athens, WI 54411
    • Inspection Date: 3/1/2024. No violations.
  25. The Palms Supper Club
    • Address: 5912 Business Hwy 51 S, Schofield, WI 54476
    • Inspection Date: 3/26/2024. No violations.
  26. Toppers Pizza
    • Address: 1700 Stewart Av Ste 200, Wausau, WI 54401
    • Inspection Date: 3/6/2024. Five violations.
    • (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION):  New pizza boxes stored open-faced under cleaning chemicals such as disinfectants and detergents.
    • (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION):  Tater tots observed to be cooling at ambient temperatures on oven rack post-reheat. Temperatures were between 80 and 88 F.
    • Metal conveyor belt of pizza oven contains significant accumulations of food debris. Cleaned utensils in plastic bins, such as pizza cutters, spatulas, tongs, and scoops contain dried-on food debris.
    • Floors under prep table contained accumulations of pizza topping ingredients. Monitors and cords directly above open containers of pizza ingredients on prep table show signifcant coatings of dust. Pizza oven internal surfaces and catch trays contain significant amounts of food debris. Bins holding cleaned utensils contain accumulations of food debris.
    • Cleaned plastic pans observed wet-stacked on rack. Utensils such as pizza cutters, brushes, and spatulas not fully air-dried prior to storage, causing standing water at the bottom of the pans.
  27. Wausau Country Club
    • Address: 208 Country Club Rd, Schofield, WI 54476
    • Inspection Date: 3/6/2024. Six violations.
    • Employee were observed not washing hands after removing soiled single use gloves and before applying clean single use gloves.
    • (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION):  Blue cheese dressing, and BBQ sauce in the walk-in cooler has exceeded their date marks.
    • The Person in Charge (PIC) is not monitoring the handwashing activities of employees. This is regarding employees not washing their hands after removing soiled single use gloves.
    • Salad dressing squeeze bottles were not labeled with the common name of the food.
    • The kitchen warewashing machine does not have an easily accessible or readable data plate.
    • High touch point areas such as cooler doors need to be cleaned at an increased frequency.
  28. Willow Springs Garden
    • Address: 5480 Hillcrest Dr, Wausau, WI 54401
    • Inspection Date: 3/21/2024. Four violations.
    • (REPEAT) (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION):A pan containing packages of ground beef was stored over a pan of deli meats in the Turbo Air 2d Cooler. There was no evidence of cross contamination.
    • The Person in Charge (PIC) is unable to demonstrate knowledge of proper methods regarding the reheating of foods for hot holding. This is regaring the questions and conversations related to reheating mac ‘n cheese for hot holding during the buffet. Reheat foods using the stove top or equipment approved for reheating rather than placing food into hot holding units.
    • The Person in Charge (PIC) has not provided food safety training to employees on cooler organization to prevent raw foods from being stored above ready to eat foods.
    • Crock pots used for reheating and hot holding are not ANSI/NSF approved.