Sake Japanese Steak House scores 82; inspectors cite handwashing issues

1. 01

   Handwashing

   Item 2-2D ↗

   Observed handwash is blocked with a freezer in the bar area and the hand wash in main sink had food in it and is being used for other purposes.PIC advised to keep the hand wash accessible at all times. 511-6-1.06(2)(o) - Using a Handwashing Sink- Operation & maintenance (Pf) (o) Using a Handwashing Sink.

   Inspector’s full note +

   Code 511-6-1.06(2)(o)

   Observed handwash is blocked with a freezer in the bar area and the hand wash in main sink had food in it and is being used for other purposes.PIC advised to keep the hand wash accessible at all times. 511-6-1.06(2)(o) - Using a Handwashing Sink- Operation & maintenance (Pf) (o) Using a Handwashing Sink. 1. A handwashing sink shall be maintained so that it is accessible at all times for employee use. Pf 2. A handwashing facility may not be used for purposes other than handwashing. Pf 3. An automatic handwashing facility shall be used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. Pf New Violation. Correct By: 09/03/2026

   Official report · Item 2-2D ↗
   New violation

   Correct by
   Sep 3, 2026

2. 02

   Food-contact surface sanitation

   Item 4-2B ↗

   Observed the ice machine had black mold like buildup.PIC advised to clean the it regularly. 511-6-1.05(7)(a)1 - Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces,& Utensils (Pf) (7) Cleaning of Equipment and Utensils.

   Inspector’s full note +

   Code 511-6-1.05(7)(a)1

   Observed the ice machine had black mold like buildup.PIC advised to clean the it regularly. 511-6-1.05(7)(a)1 - Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces,& Utensils (Pf) (7) Cleaning of Equipment and Utensils. (a) Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils. 1. Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. Pf. New Violation. Correct By: 09/04/2026

   Official report · Item 4-2B ↗
   New violation

   Correct by
   Sep 4, 2026

3. 03

   Food-contact surface sanitation

   Item 4-2B ↗

   Observed no sanitizer in the mechanical dishwasher when tested with the test strip. PIC advised to get the dishwasher fixed and use the 3 comp sink until it’s fixed.

   Inspector’s full note +

   Code 511-6-1.05(6)(n)

   Observed no sanitizer in the mechanical dishwasher when tested with the test strip. PIC advised to get the dishwasher fixed and use the 3 comp sink until it’s fixed. 511-6-1.05(6)(n) - Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization-Temperature, pH, Concentration, Hardness (P,Pf) (n) Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization - Temperature, pH, Concentration, and Hardness. A chemical sanitizer used in a sanitizing solution for a manual or mechanical operation at contact times specified under subsection (8)(b)3 of this Rule shall meet the requirements specified in DPH Rule 511-6-1-.07(6)(g), shall be used in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered label use instructions P, and shall be used as follows: 1. A chlorine solution shall have a minimum temperature based on the concentration and pH of the solution as listed in the following chart; P Concentration Range Minimum Temperature MG/L PH 10 or less oF (oC) PH 8 or less oF (oC) 25-49 120 (49) 120 (49) 50-99 100 (38) 75 (24) 100 55 (13) 55 (13) 2. An iodine solution shall have a minimum temperature of 68°F (20°C)P minimum concentration between 12.5 ppm and 25 ppm, P and pH of 5.0 or less or a pH no higher than the level for which the manufacturer specifies for the solution to be effective; P 3. A quaternary ammonium compound solution shall have a minimum temperature of 75ºF (24ºC), P have a concentration as specified in DPH Rule 511-6-1-.07(6)(g) and as indicated by the manufacturer’s use directions included in the labeling, P and be used only in water with 500 ppm hardness or less or in water having a hardness no greater than specified by the EPA-registered label use instructions; P 4. If another solution of a chemical specified under paragraphs 1 through 3 of this subsection is used, the permit holder shall demonstrate to the Health Authority that the solution achieves sanitization and the use of the solution shall be approved; P 5. If a chemical sanitizer other than chlorine, iodine, or a quaternary ammonium compound is used, it shall be applied in accordance with the EPA-registered label use instructions ;P and 6. If a chemical sanitizer is generated by a device located on-site at the food service establishment, it shall be used as specified in 1-5 of this subsection and shall be produced by a device that: (i) complies with law as specified in sections 2(q)(1) and 12 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), P (ii) complies with 40 CFR 152.500 Requirement for Devices and 40 CFR 156.10 Labeling Requirements, P (iii) displays the EPA device manufacturing facility registration number on the device, Pf and (iv) is operated and maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. Pf. 7. On-site chemical sanitizer generating equipment with active ingredients, such as copper, must be registered as pesticides. The active ingredient may be part of the equipment or separately added. Corrected On-Site. New Violation.

   Official report · Item 4-2B ↗
   Corrected on siteNew violation
4. 04

   Cold holding

   Item 6-1A ↗

   Observed several TCS foods like fish, steak are not maintaining temperatures at or below 41F.PIC discarded the food. 511-6-1.04(6)(f) - Time/Temperature Control for Safety; Cold Holding (P) (f) Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot and Cold Holding.

   Inspector’s full note +

   Code 511-6-1.04(6)(f)

   Observed several TCS foods like fish, steak are not maintaining temperatures at or below 41F.PIC discarded the food. 511-6-1.04(6)(f) - Time/Temperature Control for Safety; Cold Holding (P) (f) Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot and Cold Holding. Except during preparation, cooking, or cooling, or when time is used as the public health control, time/temperature control for safety food shall be maintained at 41°F (5°C) or below or 135°F (57°C) or above, except that roasts cooked to a temperature and for a time specified in subsection (5)(a)2 of this Rule and reheated using the same temperature and time conditions as cooking may be held at a temperature of 130°F (54°C) or above. P Corrected On-Site. New Violation.

   Official report · Item 6-1A ↗
   Corrected on siteNew violation
5. 05

   Time as a public health control

   Item 6-1D ↗

   Observed sushi rice and eggs stored over the counter do not have a time label on them. PIC placed prep time and discard time on them.

   Inspector’s full note +

   Code 511-6-1.04(6)(i)

   Observed sushi rice and eggs stored over the counter do not have a time label on them. PIC placed prep time and discard time on them. 511-6-1.04(6)(i) - Time as a Public Health Control (TPHC) (P, Pf, C) (i) Time as a Public Health Control. 1. Except as specified under paragraph 4 of this subsection, if time without temperature control is used as the public health control for a working supply of time/temperature control for safety food before cooking, or for ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food that is displayed or held for sale or service, written procedures shall be prepared in advance, maintained in the food service establishment, and made available to the regulatory authority upon request that specify: Pf (i) Methods of compliance with paragraphs 2(i) - (iv) or 3(i) through (v) of this subsection; and (ii) Methods of compliance with the cooling of time/temperature control for safety food that is prepared, cooked, and refrigerated before time is used as a public health control. Pf 2. If time without temperature control is used as the public health control up to a maximum of 4 hours: (i) Except as specified in paragraph 2.(ii) of this subsection, the food shall have an initial temperature of 41°F (5°C) or less when removed from cold holding temperature control, or 135°F (57°C) or greater when removed from hot holding temperature control;P (ii) The food may have an initial temperature of 70°F (21°C) or less if; (I) It is a ready-to-eat fruit or vegetable that upon cutting is rendered a time/temperature control for safety food, or (II) It is a ready-to-eat hermetically sealed food that upon opening is rendered a time/temperature control for safety food, (III) The food temperature does not exceed 70°F (21°C) within a maximum time period of 4 hours from the time it was rendered a time/temperature control for safety food; and (IV) The food is marked or otherwise identified to indicate the time that is 4 hours past the point in time when the food is rendered a time/temperature control for safety food as specified in paragraph 2.(ii)(I) and (II). (iii) The food shall be marked or otherwise identified to indicate the time that is 4 hours past the point in time when the food is removed from temperature control;Pf (iv) The food shall be cooked and served, served at any temperature if ready-to-eat, or discarded, within 4 hours from the point in time when the food is removed from temperature control;P and (v) The food in unmarked containers or packages, or marked to exceed a 4-hour limit shall be discarded.P 3. If time without temperature control is used as the public health control up to a maximum of 6 hours: (i) The food shall have an initial temperature of 41°F (5°C) or less when removed from temperature control and the food temperature may not exceed 70°F (21°C) within a maximum time period of 6 hours; P (ii) The food shall be monitored to ensure the warmest portion of the food does not exceed 70°F (21°C) during the 6-hour period, unless an ambient air temperature is maintained that ensures the food does not exceed 70°F (21°C) during the 6-hour holding period; Pf (iii) The food shall be marked or otherwise identified to indicate: Pf (I) The time when the food is removed from 41°F (5°C) or less cold holding temperature control, Pf and (II) The time that is 6 hours past the point in time when the food is removed from cold holding temperature control; (iv) The food shall be: (I) Discarded if the temperature of the food exceeds 70°F Corrected On-Site. New Violation.

   Official report · Item 6-1D ↗
   Corrected on siteNew violation
6. 06

   Warewashing facilities and test strips

   Item 15B ↗

   At the time of inspection, PIC failed to provide testing strips to test the dishwasher and 3 comp sink sanitizer.PIC advised to order them ASAP. 511-6-1.05(3)(h),(i),(j) - Temperature Measuring Device, Manual Warewashing; Sanitizing Solutions, Testing Device (Pf) (h) Temperature Measuring Devices, Manual and Mechanical Warewashing.

   Inspector’s full note +

   Code 511-6-1.05(3)(h),(i),(j)

   At the time of inspection, PIC failed to provide testing strips to test the dishwasher and 3 comp sink sanitizer.PIC advised to order them ASAP. 511-6-1.05(3)(h),(i),(j) - Temperature Measuring Device, Manual Warewashing; Sanitizing Solutions, Testing Device (Pf) (h) Temperature Measuring Devices, Manual and Mechanical Warewashing. 1. In manual warewashing operations, a temperature measuring device shall be provided and readily accessible for frequently measuring the washing and sanitizing temperatures. Pf 2. In hot water mechanical warewashing operations, an irreversible registering temperature indicator shall be provided and readily accessible for measuring the utensil surface temperature. Pf (i) Sanitizing Solutions, Testing Devices. A test kit or other device that accurately measures the concentration in mg/L of sanitizing solutions shall be provided. Pf j) Cleaning Agents and Sanitizers. 1. Cleaning agents that are used to clean equipment and utensils as specified under section (7) of this Rule, shall be provided and available for use during all hours of operation. Pf 2. Except for those that are generated on-site at the time of use, chemical sanitizers that are used to sanitize equipment and utensils, as specified under Section (8) of this Rule, shall be provided and available for use during all hours of operation. Pf New Violation. Correct By: 09/04/2026

   Official report · Item 15B ↗
   New violation

   Correct by
   Sep 4, 2026

Correction and repeat labels quote the report. An absent label leaves correction status unknown; a deadline does not confirm a correction.