Eight Tompkins County restaurants pass health inspections; five face critical violations in July
Overview of Health Inspections in Tompkins County
In the month of August 2025, the Tompkins County Health Department conducted a total of 18 health inspections across various food service establishments. According to the latest reports, five of these inspections found critical violations, eight had no violations at all, and another eight had unresolved issues from previous inspections that remained unfixed.
New York State is home to over 90,000 food service establishments, including schools, nursing homes, and other facilities with on-site kitchens. These inspections are crucial for ensuring public health and safety, as they help identify and address potential risks associated with food handling and preparation.
Due to the high volume of inspections, only a selection of the highest and lowest rated restaurants is highlighted here. For more detailed information, you can access current and past health inspection reports through online platforms like data.ithacajournal.com.
Restaurants with the Most Health Violations
Several eateries in Tompkins County were flagged for having multiple violations during their most recent inspections. Here are some examples:
- Dream Poke & Tea – Located at 130 East Seneca Street in Ithaca, this establishment had one non-critical violation during its inspection on August 12, 2025.
- Fusia Bento Bar – Situated at 405 College Avenue, Ithaca, it received two violations, including one critical and one non-critical, on the same date.
- Village Taqueria And Grill – Found at 151 North Street in Dryden, this restaurant had one non-critical violation on August 12, 2025.
- Pho Time & Spicy Canton Spot – Located at 208 A Dryden Road, Ithaca, this spot had one critical violation on August 13, 2025.
- Crossroads Bar & Grille – At 3120 North Triphammer Road in Lansing, it had two violations, one critical and one non-critical, also on August 13, 2025.
- Lev Kitchen – Found at 222 East State Street in Ithaca, this restaurant had four violations, including one critical and three non-critical, on August 14, 2025.
- 4-H Acres - CCE – Located at 418 Lower Creek Road in Ithaca, it had one critical violation on August 15, 2025.
- Ha Ka Cha – Situated at 311 Third Street in Ithaca, this place had three non-critical violations on August 15, 2025.
Each of these establishments must address their violations within the specified timeframes set by health inspectors.
Establishments with Flawless Health Inspections
On the flip side, several businesses in Tompkins County passed their inspections without any violations. These include:
- Tacos Cdmx – Located at 118 West Green Street in Ithaca, this restaurant had no violations on August 12, 2025.
- Dryden Elementary - Summer Feed – Found at 118 Freeville Road in Dryden, it also had no violations on the same date.
- Sopoong – Situated at 147 Dryden Road in Ithaca, this business had no violations on August 12, 2025.
- Dryden Recreation Camp Summer Feed At Cassavant – Located at 118 Freeville Road in Dryden, it passed its inspection without any issues.
- Dryden Middle School - Summer Feed – Also at 118 Freeville Road, this school had no violations on August 12, 2025.
- Cu - Becker House – Found at Stewart Avenue in Ithaca, it had no violations on August 14, 2025.
- Scoops – Located at 104 Auburn Road in Lansing, this establishment had no violations on August 14, 2025.
- Hawi Ethiopian Cuisine – Situated at 113 South Cayuga Street in Ithaca, it passed its inspection with no violations on August 15, 2025.
These businesses demonstrated excellent adherence to health codes and provided safe dining environments for customers.
Understanding Critical and Non-Critical Violations
Health inspectors classify violations into two categories: critical and non-critical. Critical violations involve factors that could lead to foodborne illness, such as improper food storage, incorrect cooking temperatures, or unsanitary practices by food workers. These must be addressed immediately during the inspection.
Non-critical violations, while not directly linked to food safety, can affect the overall operation of an establishment. They may relate to cleanliness, maintenance, or design issues. Although less urgent, these violations still require correction within a specified timeframe.
Frequency of Health Inspections
The frequency of inspections depends on the risk level of the establishment and its history of compliance. High-risk businesses, such as full-service restaurants and school kitchens, are inspected twice a year. Medium-risk places, like pizza shops or sandwich bars, are inspected once annually. Low-risk establishments, such as coffee shops, are inspected every other year.
All health inspectors in New York are trained by the state’s Department of Health to ensure consistency in evaluations across the state.
Reporting Violations
If you suspect a food establishment is violating health standards, you can report it to the Tompkins County Health Department. An inspector will then investigate the complaint. To file a report, visit the official website for health complaints in New York.
This article was written by Ozge Terzioglu and originally published on the Ithaca Journal.