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.

Inspection reports for February 2024

  1. 21 Pub
    • Address: 18 Brown Blvd, Rothschild, WI 54474
    • Inspection Date: 2/13/2024. No violations.
  2. 51 Bar & Grill
    • Address: 1718 Old Highway 51, Mosinee, WI 54455
    • Inspection Date: 2/29/2024. Two violations:
    • There is no documentation of an approved variance for vacuum packaing sausage and fish. Discontinue use of the vacuum sealer.
    • Repair exhaust fan in women restroom.
  3. Bantr
    • Address: 805 Creske Av, Rothschild, WI 54474
    • Inspection Date: 2/1/2024. No violations found.
  4. The Bar
    • Address: 10302 Market St PO Box 87, Rothschild, WI 54474
    • Inspection Date: 2/29/2024. Two violations:
    • Install a backflow preventer at the mop sink faucet.
    • Boxes of frozen chicken wings were observed stacked on the floor of the basement walk-in cooler.
  5. Brews Brothers Pub
    • Address: 4107 Barbican Ave, Weston, WI 54476
    • Inspection Date: 2/23/2024. Two violations:
    • The french press and cutter both need to be cleaned daily.
    • Tile flooring by the handwash sink needs to be repaired, tile are loose..
  6. Buck-A-Neer
    • Address: 122923 County Road C, Stratford, WI 54484
    • Inspection Date: 2/21/2024. Two violations:
    • When ready to eat foods are pulled from the freezer, must re-date them to the correct date of discard.
    • Provide the proper test strips for the Sani-tab sanitizer. This is a quat sanitizer not chlorine.
  7. Burger King #16098
    • Address: 2100 N Mountain Rd, Wausau, WI 54401
    • Inspection Date: 2/29/2024. Nine violations:
    • (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION):  Internal temperature of fish patties in hot holding drawers found to be under proper hot-holding temperature limit, at approximately 125°F. Food discarded in presence of inspector.
    • Person in Charge (PIC) is not verifying that employees are monitoring food temperatures and that wares and utensils have been sufficiently cleaned and sanitized.
    • Labels for using time as a public health control were either missing or marked illegibly.
    • Hot holding drawers (west) not sufficient to hold foods at proper hot-holding temperature of 135 F.
    • Various kinds of utensils and wares in clean storage were found insufficiently cleaned, containing visible food residue and debris, including tongs, scoops, and caps. Additionally, a majority of cleaned squeeze bottles were found to be heavily stained.
    • Various squeeze bottles in prep area and in shake cooler lacked marking as to the identity of the contents.
    • Bins holding utensils and wares such as lids, caps, and parts contain food debris and residue.
    • Pans and containers found to be wet-stacked in the cleaned wares area.
    • Back door was found to be propped open, allowing for potential entrance of pests. Employee cited insufficient ventilation as reason.
  8. Cafe 529
    • Address: 529 N 3rd St, Wausau, WI 54403
    • Inspection Date: 2/21/2024. One violation:
    • Observation (REPEAT):The vinyl tile flooring, in front of the Sandwich Prep Table, is cracked and pieces are missing.
  9. Carmelo’s
    • Address: 149841 County Rd NN, Wausau, WI 54401
    • Inspection Date: 2/5/2024. No violations.
  10. Dales Weston Lanes
    • Address: 5902 Schofield Av, Weston, WI 54476
    • Inspection Date: 2/20/2024. Seven violations:
    • Observation (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION):Hamburger in top cold hold drawer under the grill was cold held at 48F. Hamburger was thrown out during inspection.
    • Vegetable dips and coleslaw not labeled or date marked in banquet kitchen. Condiment cups not labeled or date marked in several locations.
    • No test kit is available for monitoring chlorine based sanitizer concentration.
    • Wiping cloth solution needed to be changed, concentration low and water cold.
    • An irreversible registering thermometer is not provided for measuring utensil surface temperatures in the hot water mechanical warewashing operation.
    • Cavity of microwave is soiled in bar kitchen.
    • ingle use items throughout faciity not stored in original container or not properly protected.
  11. Denny’s Restaurant
    • Address: 1500 County Road XX, Rothschild, WI 54457
    • Inspection Date: 2/22/2024. One violation.
    • All ready to eat foods must be properly date marked. Note date marking machine is broken and a new one on order.
  12. Edgar Family Restaurant
    • Address: 127590 Opportunity Ln, Edgar, WI 54426
    • Inspection Date: 2/26/2024. No violations found.
  13. EML LLC
    • Address: 206423 County Road M, Stratford, WI 54484
    • Inspection Date: 2/21/2024. Four violations:
    • The bar dishwasher did not have a sanitizer hooked up to the machine.
    • No single-use toweling or other hand drying device available at employee handwashing sink for hand drying at the bar.
    • Label food storage bins as to contents located by the deep fryers. (fish batter)
    • Observation (REPEAT):Bags of onions and potatoes stored on the floor in the walk in cooler. Provide racking to store items off the floor.
  14. Erbert & Gerberts
    • Address: 329 N 4th St, Wausau, WI 54403
    • Inspection Date: 2/6/2024. Seven violations:
    • Observation (REPEAT):Two packages of frozen soup found thawing in standing water in warewashing sink.
    • Observation (REPEAT):Cutting board in sandwich assembly area has extensive gouging and staining that cannot be removed through cleaning.
    • No test kit was available for monitoring sanitizer concentration.
    • Observation (REPEAT):Various non-food contact surfaces containing food residue, dirt, dust, and debris including equipment handles/buttons, fronts and sides of machines, utensil rack, and along top of warewashing sink, among others. Additionally, the inside of the reach-in cooler harbors mold and mildew near items such as sauces and condiments.
    • There is no mop sink provided in the facility.
    • Observation (REPEAT):Flooring in rear prep area is cracked and chipped with bare/exposed portions in multiple places. Eastern wall of rear prep area unfinished with chips and cracks and is uncleanable.
    • Exterior door in back room has gap on lower right side that could potentially allow the entrance of pests.
  15. Gorski’s
    • Address: 450 Orbiting Dr, Mosinee, WI 54455
    • Inspection Date: 2/15/2024. Four violations.
    • Observation (REPEAT):Employee observed not washing hands after changing gloves.
    • Must remove salmon from original package when thawing in the cooler.
    • Observation (REPEAT):Retail food establishment has no approved variance for the process implemented at the food establishment. vacuum sealing
    • Observation (REPEAT):Food Establishment does not have a required HACCP Plan for reduces oxygen packaging of product(sausage)
  16. Granite Peak Ski Area
    • Address: 227200 Snowbird Av, Wausau, WI 54401-9274
    • Inspection Date: 2/20/2024. Five violations.
    • Hamburgers in Sundance Chalet hot display case were observed being hot held at 130.1°F
    • The Person in Charge (PIC) is not monitoring foods during hot holding. This is regarding the temperature of the hamburgers in the Sundance Chalet hot case observed below 135F.
    • The hot display case is not equipped with an integral or permanently affixed thermometer.
    • An irreversible registering thermometer is not provided for measuring utensil surface temperatures in the hot water mechanical warewashing operation.
    • Observation (REPEAT):The floor in the Sundance Chalet Walk-in Cooler is buckling and is not easily cleanable.
  17. Granite Peak Ski Area – Historic Chalet
    • Same Address as Granite Peak Ski Area
    • Inspection Date: 2/20/2024. Four violations.
    • A direct connection exists between the sewage system and a drain from the ice bin located to the left of the ice machine.
    • A direct connection exists between the sewage system and a drain from the ice machine.
    • The north facing prep table was not equipped with an integral or permanently affixed thermometer.
    • An irreversible registering thermometer is not provided for measuring utensil surface temperatures in the hot water mechanical warewashing operation.
  18. Great Wall Chinese Food Restaurant
    • Address: 120 Dehne Dr, Colby, WI 54421
    • Inspection Date: 2/21/2024. Seven violations.
    • Raw beef stored over imitation crab and General Tso chicken items in reach-in freezer.
    • Various temperature-sensitive food items observed to be on kitchen counter without any temperature control measure, including noodles, shredded lettuce, and vegetables.
    • Various foods removed from original containers lack date marking of any kind, including portioned sauce cups, pots of sauce, cut vegetables, and wonton wrappers.
    • Observation (REPEAT):Multiple bulk ingredient containers observed not to have proper scoop with handle and instead are using single-use plastic bowls, cups, and dishes to scoop with. Found in rice cooker, three flour bins, sugar bin, and uncooked rice bin.
    • Non-food grade plastic tubs used to hold noodles, lettuce, broccoli and plastic shopping bags used to contain skewers of frozen meat in chest freezer are not ANSI certified or approved by the department.
    • Observation (REPEAT):Inside of reach-in freezer has significant areas of red meat residue on inside walls, and corner of kitchen with large pot has accumulations of rice and other food debris from previous cooks on the floor and nearby equipment.
    • Back receiving door has daylight gaps at both bottom corners, failing to prevent potential entrance of pests.
  19. Hampton Inn – Wausau
    • Address: 615 S 24th Av, Wausau, WI 54401
    • Inspection Date: 2/27/2024. Two violations.
    • A test kit is not available for checking sanitizer concentrations of the Keystone surface sanitizer.
    • Employee noted working in food preparation/cooking area without a hair restraint.
  20. Hoehn’s Huddle
    • Address: 840 Grand Av, Schofield, WI 54476
    • Inspection Date: 2/27/2024. Four violations.
    • Observation (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.
  21. Holiday Inn Express
    • Address: 4210 Barbican Av, Weston, WI 54476
    • Inspection Date: 2/8/2024. One violation:
    • Handwash sink has an airgap and is not hard plumbed. Using the sink that was originally designated as a food prep sink for fruit washing and melon sanitizing.
  22. Lemongrass Asian Fusion
    • Address: 316 N 3rd St, Wausau, WI 54403
    • Inspection Dates: 2/6/2024. Eleven violations:
    • Employee observed washing his gloved hands. Employee was instructed to remove gloves and wash hands properly.
    • Observation (REPEAT) (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION):Raw beef is stored over ready to eat food in the food prep cooler on the cookline. Store all raw product on the bottm of the prepcooler)
    • Breaded chicken was not properly cooled. Product was still at 85 degrees after 2hrs. Product was discarded.
    • The Person in Charge (PIC) is not monitoring the proper methods for rapidly cooling food. Tubs of breaded chicken were sitting out at room temperature. When placed in cooler they were then covered tight with lids. Chicken should be placed on sheet pans to cooler properly.
    • Improper cooling methods are observed. Do not try to cool breaded chicken in plastic tubs with lids on. Product should be placed on a sheet pan then placed in a cooler until it reaches 41 degrees.
    • Facility needs to have enough capacity to properly cool product. Coolers are filled to capacity. Recommend getting more coolers on-site.
    • Do not throw knives into the handwashing sink, handwashing sinks needs to be used only for handwashing.
    • Employee drinks were stored over food prep areas. Designate an area food drinks to be placed.
    • Observation (REPEAT):Label all storage containers on the cookline as to contents.
    • Store all food off floor by 6 inches in the cooler, freezer and storeroom.
    • Observation (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION):Must provide scoops to dispense rice, do not use ceramic bowl.
    • NOTE: Lemongrass was reinspected on Feb. 13, 2024. All previously noted violations were corrected except one:
    • Observation (REPEAT):Facility needs to have enough capacity to properly cool product. Coolers are filled to capacity. Recommend getting more coolers on-site.
  23. Little Caesars
    • Address: 1699 Schofield Av, Schofield, WI 54476
    • Inspection Date: 2/8/2024. Six violations:
    • Various items on the premises were found to be lacking any date marking, including squeeze bottles of sauces and condiments and pizza topping ingredients in the cold table cabinets.
    • Various utensils and containers that directly contact food were found in the clean storage area post-cleaning containing food residue and debris that failed to be removed during cleaning, such as pizza cutters, spatulas, squeeze bottles, measuring cups, and plastic wells.
    • Pizza oven conveyor parts had large amounts of food debris and dust.
    • Food-contact plastic containers were observed to be wet-stacked.
    • Fluorescent lights located throughout facility are not shatter-resistant or shielded.
    • Two doors on pizza assembly line cold cabinet require repair as they are not able to remain closed.
  24. Loppnow’s Bar
    • Address: 1502 N 3rd St, Wausau, WI 54403
    • Inspection Dates: 2/22/2024. Two violations:
    • Observation (REPEAT):The warewashing machine does not dispense sanitizer.
    • Observation (REPEAT):The deflector in the ice machine is visibly soiled. The soda dispensers are in need of cleaning.
  25. McDonald’s
    • Address: 2100 Business Hwy 51, Schofield, WI 54476
    • Inspection Date: 2/29/2024. Two violations:
    •  Significant number of plastic holding pans and lids were not cleaned sufficiently to remove previous date-mark stickers, leaving areas of adhesive and paper on food contact surfaces.
    • Plastic holding pans of various sizes found wet-stacked on cleaned wares storage rack, preventing complete drying.
  26. North End Pub
    • Address: 1002 N 3rd Av, Wausau, WI 54401
    • Inspection Date: 2/22/2024. Two violations:
    • Observation (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION):Bleach solution is too strong.
    • Observation (REPEAT):Working containers of BTF sanitizer not labeled with common name of product.
  27. The Office
    • Address: 662 Grand Av, Schofield, WI 54476
    • Inspection Date: 2/14/2024. Four violations.
    • Observation:Ice bin lacks air gap to prevent contamination in the event of backflow. Air break is not sufficient.
    • No approved sanitizing agent for cleaning of food-contact surfaces on premises. No verification method (heat stickers) for high-temperature dishwasher sanitization.
    • Handwashing sink also used for equipment wash.
    • Three exterior doors are not tight-fitting and show daylight, including the front entrances, back entrance, and receiving door.
  28. On The Hill
    • Address: 305 Old Hwy 51, Mosinee, WI 54455
    • Inspection Date: 2/27/2024. One violation.
    • Observation (REPEAT):Consumer advisory is missing the disclosure statement. Identify items being served undercooked with an asterisk. (burgers)
  29. Quality Inn
    • Address: 400 Orbiting Dr, Mosinee, WI 54455
    • Inspection Date: 2/15/2024. Three violations:
    • Observation (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION):Chemicals in the kitchen/laundry room are stored next to boxes of coffee.
    • There is no approved or current certified food manager for this establishment.
    • Surfaces in the breakfast area and in the kitchen/laundry room are not being sanitized with an approved sanitizer.
  30. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews
    • Address: 4650 Rib Mountain Dr, Wausau, WI 54401
    • Inspection Date: 2/20/2024. Nine violations.
    • Cases of raw ground beef stored over packages of pre-cooked bacon in walk-in prep cooler.
    • Multiple cold-hold temperature-sensitive food items were found to be held above 41°F, including sliced tomato, sour cream, and Thousand Island dressing.
    • No single-use toweling or other hand drying device available at bar handwashing sink for hand drying.
    • Multiple spray bottles of cleaning agent found not labeled as to their identity.
    • Various squeeze bottles containing sauces on the cook line had no marking as to identity.
    • No temperature-measuring device found in drawer cooler, homestyle refrigerator, or salad station counter cooler.
    • Non-food contact surfaces found to have accumulations of food residue and debris, including cleaned metal bowls on wares rack, hotel pans used for holding squeeze bottles, and the exterior surfaces of squeeze bottles on cook line.
    • Clean pans are being stored and stacked together without complete air-drying.
    • Receiving door has small gap at bottom corner sufficient to allow entrance of pests. No pests were observed.
  31. Relocation Pub & Eatery
    • Address: 1801 County Road XX, Mosinee, WI 54455
    • Inspection Date: 2/27/2024. One violation.
    • Observation (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION):Cavity of the microwave was soiled.
  32. Rib Mountain Inn
    • Address: 227305 Boulder Ridge Cir, Wausau, WI 54401
    • Inspection Date: 2/13/2024. One violation.
    • Observation (REPEAT):There is no approved or current certified food manager for this establishment.
  33. Sam’s Club #6535
    • Address: 262200 Rib Mountain Dr, Wausau, WI 54401
    • Inspection Date: 2/26/2024. Four violations:
    • An employee was observed wearing single-use gloves for multiple tasks.
    • The Person in Charge (PIC) has not provided food safety training to employees regarding the use of single-use gloves for only one task.
    • A quaternary test kit is unavailable for monitoring sanitizer concentrations at the 4-comartment sink.
    • The Pizza Hot Display Case is not equipped with an integral or permanently affixed thermometer.
  34. Subway
    • Address: 101 Jones Av, Hatley, WI 54440
    • Inspection Date: 2/23/2024. No violations.
  35. Subway #134
    • Address: 670 Maratech Av, Marathon, WI 54448
    • Inspection Date: 2/21/2024. Three violations:
    • Observation (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.
    • Observation (REPEAT):The receiving door is not tight-fitting. Daylight can be seen underneath. Repair weather stripping.
    • Observation (REPEAT):Retail food establishment permit is not posted in a conspicuous area in the food establishment.
  36. Wells A&W Spencer LLC
    • Address: 804 S Pacific Av, Spencer, WI 54479
    • Inspection Date: 2/1/2024. Three violations:
    • Observation (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION):Chicken in the chicken prep cooler was at 47. Chicken was pulled and placed in the walk in cooler.
    • The Person in Charge (PIC) is not monitoring the food temperatures for foods during hot and cold holding. The temperature of the chicken cooler was 47. All product was removed immediately.
    •  The chicken prep cooler must maintain product at 41 or less. Cooler needs to be repaired.
  37. Zhou’s Mongolian Barbecue
    • Address: 1122 E Grand Av, Rothschild, WI 54474
    • Inspection Date: 2/14/2024. Two violations:
    • Observation (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION):Shrimp being thaw in standing water, must thaw under running water.
    • Observation (REPEAT) (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION):Label bottles of liquid as to contents stored on top of prep cooler.

Information provided by the Marathon County Health Department.