1 stars

lotus111 03/11/2010

BACTERIA is the main ingredient on the menu. That's putting it nicely...

Read this entire review and you'll never eat here again.

Here are some of Ong Pin's past and present historical difficiencies from the San Mateo Health Department. Ong Pin was OUT OF COMPLIANCE for the following:

1) Proper hot and cold holding temperatures

Failure to hold potentially hazardous foods at or below 41/ 45°F; or at or above 135°F.

2) Food separated and protected

Unpackaged food is not protected from contamination; Food is not being prepared in a fully enclosed facility; Food is not being protected from cross-contamination; or, Limited food preparation is not being conducted within an approved food compartment.

3) Equipment/Utensils

Observed unapproved equipment and/or utensils in use at the facility; Equipment installed incorrectly; Facility does not have the capacity needed to run the operation observed (ie: not enough cold holding or hot holding equipment),; or, Equipment/Utensils are not maintained or kept in clean condition.

4) Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied

Toilet facilities are not being maintained clean, sanitary and in good repair; Toilet rooms are not separated by a well-fitting self-closing door ; Toilet tissue is not in a permanently installed dispenser at each toilet ; The number of toilet facilities is not in accordance with local building and plumbing ordinances;

5) Proper cooling methods

All cooked, potentially hazardous food shall be rapidly cooled using the proper cooling timelines and the appropriate equipment listed in Cal Code.

6) Premises; personal/cleaning items; vermin-proofing

The premises of the food facility is not kept clean and free of litter and rubbish; clean and soiled linen are improperly stored; non-food items with food on food-contact surfaces; Lack of vermin- proofing, such as gaps under the outside service door of the facility are observed during the inspection.

7) Floors, walls and ceilings: built, maintained, and

The walls / ceilings are not made of durable, smooth, nonabsorbent, light-colored, and washable surfaces; All floor surfaces, other than the customer service areas, are not made of approved , smooth, durable,nonabsorbent material that is easily cleanable; Lack of an approved base coving in all areas, except customer service areas and where food is stored in original unopened containers; Food facilities are not fully enclosed; food facilities are note kept clean and in good repair; Lack of impervious or easily cleanable floor surface a minimum of five feet from the open-air BBQ or wood-burning oven.

Here's my incident:

The restroom is very filthy, there was no soap or paper towels, the floor was soaking wet and the smell of urine was very potent when I went there. It seems as if the restroom is not cleaned on a regular basis. The dinnerware and utensils are dirty. You would feel more comfortable bringing your own disposable utensils. I actually think they go out of their way to maintain this level of uncleanliness. It's unbelievable. See the online results from the San Mateo Health Department for yourself. Here's the link:

http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/portal/site/health/menuitem.f44138fe5f6ec63d74452b31d17332a0/?vgnextoid=e33a0ed573960210VgnVCM1000001d37230aRCRD&vgnextchannel=3bab3a8126d60210VgnVCM1000001d37230aRCRD

Within a years period, they have been visited by the Health Department 8 times. A good standing restaurant is visited annually. With this type of history, Ong Pin must not have a good standing reputation with the Health Department. If you check the link above, you'll also notice that there are many complaints to the Health Department against Ong Pin. Take my advice, DON”T EAT HERE IF YOU VALUE YOUR HEALTH.

• Was this helpful? Yes No
• Flag abuse
• Add a Business Response