Recent food safety inspections in Berks County, Pennsylvania, revealed insect activity in the kitchens of two restaurants. These inspections, conducted between September 16 and September 30, 2025, highlighted several violations across various food establishments, underscoring the importance of maintaining strict hygiene standards.
The county is divided into three jurisdictions: Reading, Muhlenberg Township, and the remainder of Berks County. Each jurisdiction has its own food safety inspectors, with Reading and Muhlenberg Township employing local authorities, while the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture oversees inspections in the rest of the county. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, all food vendors are inspected at least once a year. Additional inspections may occur due to ownership changes, complaints, or previous non-compliance.
The results of the latest inspections, reported on October 2, 2025, indicate a mix of compliance and violations. Notably, the establishment known as **Hong Kong**, located at **51 King Plaza, Oley**, was found to have evidence of insect activity in the kitchen area. The facility is expected to continue its pest control measures to address this issue.
Another establishment, **Pollo’s Don Juan 2**, situated at **1665 State Hill Road Unit 980, Reading**, faced four violations during its inspection. Issues included a lack of proper sanitizer test strips and the presence of insect activity in the back food preparation area. The restaurant may need to enhance its pest control services to prevent further infestations.
Several other establishments also recorded violations. For instance, **Little Italia Pizzeria**, located at **1665 State Hill Road, Wyomissing**, had two violations, including a leak from the drain line at the three-compartment sink. The **Kutztown Tavern** at **272 W. Main St., Kutztown** reported one violation related to broken fryer baskets.
The **Southern Side Kitchen** at **10 Summit Ave., Reading** was found with multiple foods held at improper temperatures, while **That Burger Place**, located at **10 S. Summit Ave., Reading**, had issues with food storage temperatures and dating.
Among the establishments that passed inspections without any violations were **Autumn Festival At Savidge Farms**, **Honey Belle Events**, and **Penske South**. The inspections serve as a reminder of the critical need for food safety practices to ensure public health.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has made inspection reports accessible online, allowing consumers to view the last inspection results of any food vendor. If a facility is deemed out of compliance, it must correct the issues but is allowed to remain open during this process. Complaints regarding food safety can also be filed online with the department.
These inspections are part of an ongoing effort to ensure that food safety standards are met and maintained across Berks County. The findings highlight the need for food establishments to remain vigilant in their health and safety practices to protect consumers and uphold industry standards.
