Marathon County restaurant inspection reports for February 2025

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.

Breakfast Bear LLC

• Address: 227308 Shrike Ave, Wausau, WI 54401
• Inspection Date: Feb. 12, 2025. 2 priority violations.

• Meat, hamburger/cheese burger is asterisked on the children’s menu indicating it may be requested undercooked.
• Lemon caper cream cheese in the Everest Kitchen Prep Table Cooler was observed cold held at 45.7°F.

Carmelo’s

• Address: 149841 County Rd NN, Wausau, WI 54401
• Inspection Date: Feb. 11, 2025. 1 priority, 1 priority foundation, 3 core (5 total):

• (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): Marinara sauce in the walk-in cooler was observed cold held at 44.0°F.
• Mechanically tenderized steaks are not asterisked on the menu.
• Boxes of raw packaged meats were observed stored on the floor in the walk-in cooler.
• Fasteners holding a clear plastic shield in the ice machine are rusting and need to be replaced with stainless steel fasteners.
• The soda gun liquid waste drain line passes through the bar ice bin.

Casa Amigos

• Address: 508 Grand Ave, Schofield, WI 54476
• Inspection Date: Feb. 5, 2025. 2 priority, 3 priority foundation, 1 core, 3 repeat (6 total)

• Employee observed working with food-contact surfaces in kitchen without washing hands after handling cell phone.
• (REPEAT): Front-of-house dish machine found not dispensing sanitizer, with 0 ppm obtained on three consecutive tests.
• Staff is not monitoring sanitizer concentration in dish machines, allowing the front-of-house dish machine to operate without sanitization for an unknown period of time.
• (REPEAT): Plastic and stainless steel hotel pans observed with food debris and residue from inadequate warewashing, and not fully air-dried.
• (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): Both employee handwash sinks in the kitchen were observed to be out of paper towel.
• (REPEAT) (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): Condensation in walk-in freezer observed in contact with packaged food products.

Chico’s Supper Club

• Address: 235415 Chico Rd, Wausau, WI 54403

Inspection Date: Feb. 26, 2025. 2 priority foundation, 3 core (5 total)

• Significant number of temperature-sensitive food items found either without date labeling, with erroneous dates, or with past-due dates. Past-due items were discarded during inspection.
• Employee handwash sink observed to contain a sealed package of raw intact beef and a large cooking pot and is thus unavailable for proper handwashing.
• Significant number of food items found stored in single-use retail containers originally for sour cream.
• Ice machine interior surface shows moderate discoloration from microbial activity. Microwave interior has food residue on bottom and side surfaces. Holder for dining utensil storage has debris accumulations at bottom. Reach-in cooler door handle has residue and uncleanable areas due to damage. Exterior surfaces of hotel pans not fully air-dried.
• Exterior door in kitchen has approximate 1/2 inch gap along the latching side. Side door in dining area has approximate 1/2 inch gap along the bottom edge.

Ciao

• Address: 307 3rd Ave, Wausau, WI 54403
• Inspection Date: Feb. 11, 2025. 2 priority:

• (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): The dishwsher is not providing the proper concentration of sanitizer. A new container of sanitizer was obtained, dishwasher was primed and is know providing 100 ppm chlorine.
• (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): Wiping cloth bucket stored on top off open prep table. Store bucket down on shelf below the thermalizers.

Cocina on the Square

• Address: 121 Alfred St, Athens, WI 54411
• Inspection Date: Feb. 6, 2025. 2 core, 2 repeat:

• (REPEAT) (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): Deli hot-hold case and walk-in cooler are missing thermometers for temperature monitoring.
• (REPEAT): Walk-in cooler racks have build-up of food residue. Walk-in cooler floor has areas with food and other debris. Surface above doorway of walk-in cooler has slight mold formations due to incomplete door seal which allows moisture transmission. Reach-in cooler handles have food residue.

Days Inn

• Address: 225520 Rib Mountain Dr, Wausau, WI 54401
• Inspection Date: Feb. 5, 2025. No violations found.

Econolodge

• Address: 1510 County Rd XX, Rothschild, WI 54474
• Inspection Date: Feb. 28, 2025. No violations found.

El Charro III Authentic Mexican Restaurant

• Address: 1711 Schofield Ave Suite 3, Weston, WI 54476
• Inspection Date: Feb. 11, 2025. 1 priority foundation, 1 core (2 total):

• Thermometer doesn’t turn on. Replace batteries in the digital thermometer.
• Label all squeeze bottles as to contents by the grill line.

Great Dane Pub & Brewery

• Address: 2305 Sherman St, Wausau, WI 54401

Inspection Date: Feb. 20, 2025. 2 priority, 4 priority foundation, 2 core, 3 repeat (8 total):

• Falafel and beer batter for fish fry found stored for an unknown period above 41 F, at approximately 49 F each. Items were discarded during inspection.
• Dish machines in the main kitchen and banquet kitchen failed to dispense chemical sanitizer on multiple attempts (0 ppm). The issue was previously unnoticed and has been occurring for an unknown amount of time.
• Soap dispenser for sole handwash sink in banquet kitchen found not functional. Banquet kitchen employees were thus unable to wash their hands. Employees failed to bring deficiency to management’s attention or perform corrective actions. Unit was replaced during inspection.
• Staff is not monitoring sanitizer concentration in kitchen dish machines (2), as evidenced by the machines’ inability to dispense the chemical sanitizing agent. It is thus unknown for how long food-contact items were failing to be sufficiently sanitized.
• Numerous food-contact wares and containers were found with damage such as chips, cracks, pits, and burns that render surfaces uncleanable and in some cases pose a physical hazard.
• (REPEAT): A significant number of hotel pans and like containers were found stacked and stored wet, and with varying levels of food debris that failed to be removed during the warewashing process. Food-contact kitchen utensils and equipment found stored in bins with significant food debris and residue accumulations.
• (REPEAT): Walls of walk-in cooler contain rust formations, ice accumulations, and a small amont of mold as a result of excess moisture seepage behind wall shared with walk-in freezer. Mold formation was directly over food items. Walk-in cooler racks contain mold formations that are over food items as well as significant rust and chipping paint. Areas of floor under large equipment contain significant accumulations of food pieces and debris. Majority of bins holding kitchen equipment and utensils found containing accumulations of dried food debris in both kitchens. Round dining utensil holders in main kitchen found to contain food debris along interior sides and bottom surface.
• (REPEAT): Food-contact items such as cutting boards and a significant number of hotel pans of varying size and material, as well as like items, were found stacked in an interlocking fashion in which moisture was trapped within. There is little distinction between areas for drying and areas for storage of clean items.

Jersey Mike’s Subs

• Address: 4720 Rib Mountain Dr, Wausau, WI 54401
• Inspection Date: Feb. 25, 2025. 1 priority, 1 repeat:

• (REPEAT): Cut tomatoes in the sprinkling cold holding areas were observed cold held at 46.0 and 44.8°F.

Jimmy John’s

• Address: 2205 Stewart Ave, Wausau, WI 54401
• Inspection Date: Feb. 18, 2025. 2 core:

• Soda fountain at the drive through window is not maintained in good repair.
• Water pressure in the bathroom handwash sinks needs to be improved.

Jimmy John’s

• Address: 300 N 3rd St, Ste 113, Wausau, WI 54403
• Inspection Date: Feb. 18, 2025. No violations found.

Jimmy John’s

• Address: 3910 Schofield Ave, Weston, WI 54476
• Inspection Date: Feb. 4, 2025. 1 priority:

• A direct connection exists between the sewage system and a drain from the drive through ice bin.

Kentucky Fried Chicken

• Address: 222 Stewart Ave, Wausau, WI 54401

Inspection Date: Feb. 18, 2025. 2 priority, 3 priority foundation, 3 core, 3 repeat (8 total):

• (REPEAT) (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): Raw poultry was not cooked to a temperature of 165°F for 15 seconds.
• A direct connection exists between the sewage system and a drain from the ice bin at the drive through window soda fountain.
• (REPEAT): The Person in Charge (PIC) is not verifying that employees are achieving a lethality temperature of 165F for raw poultry.
• When questioned, food employees are not aware of a procedure that address a response to vomiting or diarrheal events.
• Handwashing sink at the drive through is not in working order and is unavailable for proper handwashing.
• (REPEAT): Thermometer in the undercounter coolers are not easily readable. The thermometer has become unattached to the backing displaying temperature scale.
• The hose connection that supplies the bunn hot water maker is leaking and causing water to pool on the kitchen floor.
• Retail food establishment permit is not posted in a conspicuous area viewable to customers.

Noodles & Company

• Address: 1800 Stewart Ave, Wausau, WI 54401
• Inspection Date: Feb. 19, 2025. 2 priority foundation, 2 core (4 total):

• (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): Thermometer in prep table cooler found reading approximately 10 F higher than actual temperature. Cold drawers missing a thermometer. Both issues corrected at time of inspection.
• Metal and plastic dining utensils, drain pan, and ice machine scoop found stored in bin with dried food debris accumulations. Metal mixing bowls and some hotel pans found with water accumulations from not-fully-dried items above.
• Method for verifying proper heat sanitization not available at time of inspection.
• Bins for metal and plastic dining utensils, plastic drain pans, and kitchen equipment contain dried food debris accumulations. Walk-in cooler racks harbor food debris and moderate rust.

Oliva’s at Gulliver’s Landing

• Address: 151701 Gadwall Ln, Wausau, WI 54401
• Inspection Date: Feb. 28, 2025. 2 priority, 1 priority foundation, 2 core, 2 repeat (5 total):

• Employee observed not washing hands after changing gloves in kitchen.
• (REPEAT): Raw shell eggs observed stored directly on top of a container of prepared non-raw food.
• No test kit is available for monitoring sanitizer concentration in wash room.
• Numerous kitchen bins that hold utensils and equipment contain dried food debris at bottom.
• Exterior doors in wash room, rear kitchen, and at entrance have gaps along sides and/or bottom edge that may allow for pest entrance.

Pho Zone

• Address: 4204 Schofield Ave, Weston, WI 54476
• Inspection Date: Feb. 20, 2025. 1 priority, 1 priority foundation, 3 core (5 total):

• Bowl and knife were not sanitized after cleaning before being placed on the drying rack.
• The Person in Charge (PIC) is not monitoring the proper methods for rapidly cooling food. Tripe was cooked, not fully cooled, place in zipper bags, and placed in the freezer.
• Non-food contact surfaces of equipment an kitchen are soiled with debris.
• The ceiling between the kitchen and the staircase is open, exposing electrical and insulation in an area where dishware, utensils, and single service items are stored.
• Mops stored wet in the mop bucket.

Quality Inn

• Address: 400 Orbiting Dr, Mosinee, WI 54455
• Inspection Date: Feb. 24, 2025. 1 priority, 2 priority foundation, 4 core, 2 repeat (7 total):

• (REPEAT): Chemicals in the laundry room are stored next to boxes of coffee.
• Soap not available at food employee handwashing sink.
• No single-use toweling or other hand drying device available at employee handwashing sink for hand drying.
• (REPEAT): There is no approved or current certified food manager for this establishment.
• There is no approved or current food protection manager’s certificate posted in the food establishment.
• Non-food contact surfaces of juice machine are soiled and the cupboard under the sink on the continental breakfast was soiled with spilled syrup.
• Plastic knives were being displayed on the continental breakfast bar where the food or lip contact surface could be contaminated.

Rowdy’s Memory Lanes

• Address: 105 Alfred St, Athens, WI 54411
• Inspection Date: Feb. 6, 2025. 1 priority foundation, 1 core, 1 repeat (2 total):

• (REPEAT): Two pet dogs observed in food and beverage preparation area.
• Bar refrigerator is not equipped with a thermometer for monitoring of ambient temperatures.

Subway

• Address: 4300 Rib Mountain Dr, Wausau, WI 54401

Inspection Date: Feb. 19, 2025. 4 priority, 4 priority foundation, 3 core (11 total):

• Employee observed not washing hands after removing soiled single use gloves and before applying clean/new single use gloves.
• Sani Station Sanitizer Cleaner is not being used according to EPA registered label use instructions and was observed at a concentration of 10 PPM.
• Knife used to close and cut sandwiches is not cleaned every 4 hours.
• (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): Spray bottles of RTU Peroxide Cleaner Sanitizer, and Sani Station Sanitizer Cleaner were observed hanging from a shelf above the stainless table where food preparation occurs.
• The Person in Charge (PIC) is unable to demonstrate knowledge of proper sanitization methods for slash resistant gloves.
• Food employees are unaware if the establishment has procedures that address responding to vomiting or diarrheal events.
• No test kit is available for monitoring sanitizer concentrations for the Sani Station Sanitizer Cleaner.
• Food prep sink is visibly soiled and used to store dirty sheet pans prior to warewashing.
• There is not a current certified food manager for this establishment.
• The light intensity in the walk-in cooler was observed at 5 foot candles and needs to be a minimum of 10 foot candles.
• An expired retail food establishment permit is posted.

Subway Sandwiches & Salads

• Address: 1819 W Stewart Ave, Wausau, WI 54401
• Inspection Date: Feb. 25, 2025. 2 priority foundation, 2 core, 1 repeat (4 total):

• (REPEAT): The Person in Charge (PIC) is unable to demonstrate knowledge of proper sanitization methods for the food prep sink.
• Meat bane is not sufficient in capacity to hold foods at temperatures below 41.
• The men’s bathroom door hits the jamb and is difficult to close.
• Mops are not hung to dry between use.

Super 8 Motel – Wausau

• Address: 2006 S Stewart Ave, Wausau, WI 54401
• Inspection Date: Feb. 26, 2025. 1 priority, 1 core (2 total):

• (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): The sanitizer sink was being set up with cold water.
• Non-food contact surfaces of home style refrigerate, both the refrigerator and freezer compartments have accumulated debris.

Understanding violation risk, from the Marathon County Health Department:

Priority Violations– Highest Risk. These are most likely to be associated with illness or injury. An example is raw chicken not cooked to the right temperature.

Priority Foundation Violations – Moderate Risk. These violations are linked to Priority Violations. An example is not having a calibrated food thermometer available to verify the correct cooking temperature of the chicken.

Core Violations – Lowest Risk. These violations relate to cleanliness and general building or equipment repairs or maintenance. An example would be the floor where the cook is cooking the chicken needs repair or cleaning.