Yi Pin — Restaurant in Manor Township

Szechuan Gourmet, 1930 Columbia Ave., Jan. 28. The certified food manager does not have adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection. Green vegetables and cornstarch being stored in close proximity to the hand-wash sink, risking splash contamination from hand-washing. Old hardened food residue on the inner rim of the meat slicer. Old food residue on the can opener blade. Bowls and colanders stored on the shelf as clean were greasy and not clean to sight and touch. Old food residue on two cleavers and a knife stored as clean on the magnetic strip. An open employee’s beverage container was on the food preparation table in the back. Cigarette butts, ashtray (tin can) found on the small table in the food preparation area during the inspection. Food employee chopping vegetables not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets or hats. Wet wiping cloths on the food preparation table not being stored in sanitizer solution. Several plates of employee food being stored with food for the business rather than keeping them segregated. Packing tape, not an approved material for repair, is being used to hold the door of the ice maker together. The hand-wash sink in the food preparation area was blocked by a colander of vegetables and a bowl of cornstarch and not accessible at all times for employee use. Water leaking from beneath the three-compartment sink. The coving at the walk-in cooler is broken and has separated from the wall, leaving a large gap where old food residue is collecting. Butane cans stored with food and food equipment on the food preparation table. Raw chicken stored above raw pork in the small cooling unit. Raw chicken liver stored above pasta in the reach-in cooler. Raw pork stored behind raw fish in the bain marie unit. Egg yolks stored above raw pork in the small cooling unit. Raw chicken stored above raw fish in the walk-in cooler. Food utensils in the food preparation area stored in a container of water, which is not maintained at 135F. Boxes of pasta stored directly on the floor in the walk-in freezer, rather than 6 inches off the floor as required. Bacon thawing at room temperature on a tray, which is not an approved thawing method. An extreme amount of grease and grease condensation on the exhaust baffles and on the ansul system risking drip contamination of food and food equipment cooking beneath it. An extreme amount of old food debris in the floor drain in front of the cooling units.

Previously Mount Pepper with same failing inspection report (wonder why they changed...

Oh boy.... It was just ok for lunch. Def won't be back. EW! CLEAN THIS PLACE!!!

Yi Pin, 1930 Columbia Ave., Lancaster, Oct. 23. Fail. The person in charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this noncompliant inspection. The person in charge failed to notify the department of imminent health hazards. Food employee eating in the back food preparation area as evidenced by observed partially consumed food in a bowl. Observed raw shell eggs stored above pork in the walk-in cooler. Observed boxes of food stored directly on the floor in the freezer, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration of the chlorine bleach in the mechanical dishwasher. Observed old food residue on the blade of the slicer. Observed a gross amount of grease buildup and food debris on the floor behind the fryers. Observed wastewater backing up and flowing across the floor in the dishwashing area. Plumbing system not maintained in good repair: observed water leaking at the drainpipe beneath the hand-wash sink in the kitchen. Observed many cracked and broken floor tiles in the walk-in cooler. Lights are not shielded or shatterproof over the food preparation area in the back. An insect control device (fly paper) located in the soup area with potential to contaminate food, equipment, and utensils. Screen door located in the back food preparation area of the food facility has a gap and the screen is torn in several spots and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents and other animals. Food facility inspection indicates evidence of rodents and insect (cockroach) activity in the main kitchen and the storage room, but facility does not have a pest control program. Observed glue boards in the kitchen with cockroaches of all life stages (too numerous to count). Rodent feces (too numerous to count) observed in the storage area and on a table where the...

This may be the only authentic Sichuan cuisine in the Harrisburg metro area. Sichuan province is known for spicy cuisines. The numbing Sichuan peppercorn got its namesake there. There used to be another authentic Chinese restaurant (HE in Middletown) serving different regional cuisines; unfortunately, that one closed for good a few months ago.

The dining area was spacious and clean. Plenty of table of various sizes. Ambiance was above average Chinese restaurants. Ample parking spaces on both sides of the building, as well as in the back.

There was just 1 staff who waited the tables, took orders, and manned the cash register. He's friendly and quick. The menu book was big featuring many nice photos of their offerings. There was also a separately one-page menu listing specials for the current month. The prices were on the higher side compared to typical Chinese American restaurants, but for the 2 dishes we ordered, the size of serving was quite fair. We waited 15 minutes for the 2 dishes:

Hot & Spicy Fish Filet w. Cumin (孜然香辣魚片) $18.95. A lot more fish filets than we expected. The filets were deep fried, crispy and with just enough heat to kick it up a notch. 5 out of 5.

Chicken w. Dry Pepper (歌樂山辣子雞) $15.95. I really wanted to try this and compare to 重慶辣子雞 which is a well known chicken with dry pepper dish from Sichuan, whereas, I've NEVER heard of this particular spin (as distinguished via its Chinese name). I was sorely disappointed. The chicken pieces were cut too small and coated with way too much batter. It was really stodgy and got old really quick. 2 out of 5.

So far hit or miss. But given its large menu, this place warrants another visit...