First Avenue

Year by year

Inspections

1. Apr 21, 2026 Routine Score 98
   • Not serious Priority 3

     Clean all physical facilities (floors, walls, ceilings). Keep them clean.

     Observed the floor under the cook line kitchen equipment in need of cleaning. Clean and maintain in a clean condition.

     Code MN Rule 4626.1520A

   • Not serious Priority 3

     Keep non-food contact equipment surfaces clean.

     Observed the sides of the fryer, casters/wheels of cooking equipment, small roll cart and some shelving in the kitchen in need of a good cleaning. Clean and maintain all referenced areas in a clean condition.

     Code MN Rule 4626.0855

   • Not serious Priority 3

     Doors and windows for all outside openings should be self-closing and tight-fitting. Seal openings along the outside of the building.

     Observed the side emergency exit door sweep to have a noticeable gap under the door. Replace door sweep with a new door sweep. The seventh street entry door and other side door have had new door sweeps installed. Monitor entry points and repair door sweeps as needed.

     Code MN Rule 4626.1395A

   • Not serious Priority 3 Corrected on site

     Label all containers of food and food ingredients with their common name.

     Observed the bulk sugar and flour containers to not be labeled. Label referenced containers. Operator labeled both containers during the inspection.

     Code MN Rule 4626.0240

   • Not serious Priority 2 Corrected on site

     Clearly label working containers of toxic chemicals with the common chemical name.

     Observed a spray bottle of degreaser to not be labeled. Label degreaser spray bottle. Operator labeled the spray bottle during the inspection.

     Code MN Rule 4626.1595

   • Not serious Priority 3

     Clean surfaces contacting non-TCS foods: • When surfaces may have been contaminated • At least once every 24 hours for consumer self-service utensils • Before restocking consumer self-service equipment and utensils • As often as needed to keep surfaces clean

     Observed the interior of the large ice machines in the back of the facility to have black biofilm inside them. Clean and maintain ice machines clean.

     Code MN Rule 4626.0845E

2. Apr 10, 2025 Routine Score 96
   • Not serious Priority 3

     Have a covered trash can in toilet rooms.

     Observed the men's restrooms to not have covered trash cans in the upper level of the facility. Provide covered trash cans.

     Code MN Rule 4626.1260

   • Not serious Priority 3

     Clean all physical facilities (floors, walls, ceilings). Keep them clean.

     Observed the following areas in need of cleaning: 1) Floor under kitchen cooking equipment and three compartment sink. 2) Floor under soda boxes in side storage room off of seating area. 3) Ceiling vent in all gender restroom. 4) Floor in side storage room off kitchen. 5) Quarry tile floor inside walk in cooler under shelving. 6) Upper level floor in perma bar. Clean and maintain all areas clean.

     Code MN Rule 4626.1520A

   • Not serious Priority 3

     Keep non-food contact equipment surfaces clean.

     Observed the sides of fryer, casters/wheels of cooking equipment, floor of walk in freezer and a few of the shelves in the kitchen with heavy soil accumulations. Clean and maintain all areas clean.

     Code MN Rule 4626.0855

   • Not serious Priority 3

     Doors and windows for all outside openings should be self-closing and tight-fitting. Seal openings along the outside of the building.

     Observed the seventh street entry door and side door to have noticeable gaps under the doors. Repair and seal up referenced areas as required.

     Code MN Rule 4626.1395A

   • Not serious Priority 3

     All equipment and components must be in good repair. Keep them maintained to manufacturer's specifications.

     Observed corroded shelving in the walk in cooler that is no longer in a smooth and easily cleanable state. Replace shelving with new intact shelving.

     Code MN Rule 4626.0735AB

   • Not serious Priority 2 Corrected on site

     Use an effective method to date mark refrigerated, ready-to-eat, TCS food prepared and held for more than 24 hours. Day one is the day the food was made.

     Observed a container of beef brisket to be dated 4/3 and over the seven day use or discard by date. Discussed date marking requirements with operator. Operator discarded referenced item during the inspection.

     Code MN Rule 4626.0400A

   • Not serious Priority 3 Corrected on site

     Post a sign at all handwashing sinks used by employees to remind them to wash their hands.

     Observed hand washing signage to not be posted at the front bar sink, staff restrooms off main seating area and all gender restrooms. Post signage as required. Operator posted applicable signage during the inspection.

     Code MN Rule 4626.1457

   • Not serious Priority 2 Corrected on site

     Stop using food contact surfaces with cracks, pits, chips, open seams or rough sections.

     Observed cracked and pitted spatulas in the kitchen to no longer be smooth and easily cleanable. Discard and provide new intact spatulas. Operator discarded the referenced spatulas during the inspection.

     Code MN Rule 4626.0515

   • Not serious Priority 3

     Allow equipment and utensils to air-dry after cleaning and sanitizing; only use cloths that are clean and dry for polishing utensils that have been air dried.

     Observed previously cleaned hotel pans stacked inverted while wet on the shelving while not in use. Discussed issues with microbial growth when equipment is not allowed to air dry properly. Operator to discuss proper air drying process with staff.

     Code MN Rule 4626.0935

   • Not serious Priority 3 Corrected on site

     Store all clean equipment, utensils, linens, in a clean dry location where not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination and at least six inches above the floor.

     Observed frozen ice wand stored unprotected on shelf in walk in freezer. Discussed proper storage methods of ice wand with operator. Operator addressed the ice wand storage during the inspection.

     Code MN Rule 4626.0955A

3. Mar 27, 2024 Routine Score 94
   • Not serious Priority 3

     Keep the physical facilities in good repair.

     OBSERVED THE SECOND STALL NEAR WINDOW IN WOMEN'S BATHROOM TO HAVE A CRACKED TILE AND HOLE IN THE WALL REVEALING PLUMBING. REPAIR REFERENCED AREA.

     Code MN Rule 4626.1515

   • Not serious Priority 3

     Have a covered trash can in toilet rooms.

     OBSERVED THE MEN'S RESTROOMS TO NOT HAVE COVERED WASTE BINS IN THE UPPER LEVEL RESTROOMS. PROVIDE.

     Code MN Rule 4626.1260

   • Not serious Priority 3

     Clean all physical facilities (floors, walls, ceilings). Keep them clean.

     OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN NEED OF A THOROUGH CLEANING: 1) FLOOR UNDER KITCHEN COOKING EQUIPMENT. 2) FLOOR UNDER SODA BOXES IN SIDE STORAGE ROOM. 3) CEILING VENT IN THE ALL GENDER RESTROOM. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL AREAS CLEAN.

     Code MN Rule 4626.1520A

   • Not serious Priority 2

     Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils must be clean.

     OBSERVED THE CAN OPENER PIERCING BLADE WITH DRIED UP FOOD DEBRIS. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN A CLEAN CONDITION.

     Code MN Rule 4626.0840A

   • Not serious Priority 3

     Label all containers of food and food ingredients with their common name.

     OBSERVED A FEW BOTTLES OF WATER AND LIQUID BUTTER TO NOT BE LABELED. LABEL BOTTLES.

     Code MN Rule 4626.0240

   • Not serious Priority 3

     Keep non-food contact equipment surfaces clean.

     OBSERVED THE CASTERS ON THE COOKING EQUIPMENT AND SIDE OF FRYER IN THE KITCHEN TO HAVE HEAVY GREASE ACCUMULATIONS. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN REFERENCED AREAS IN A CLEAN CONDITION.

     Code MN Rule 4626.0855

   • Serious Priority 1

     Cool cooked TCS food: • Within two hours from 135 to 70 degrees F, and • Within a total of six hours from 135 to 41 degrees F or less

     OBSERVED THRU ON SITE OBSERVATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS WITH PERSON IN CHARGE THAT THE CONTAINER OF GRAVY HAS BEEN MADE THE EVENING PRIOR. GRAVY WAS FOUND TO BE AT 46*F. AS THE PROPER COOLING TIMES AND PARAMETERS HAD NOT BEEN MET, OPERATOR DISCARDED THE GRAVY ON SITE. FURTHER RECOMMENDATIONS AND DISCUSSION WERE HELD REGARDING COOLING TECHNIQUES TO ENSURE COOLING OF TCS FOODS WAS DONE PROPERLY. OPERATOR TO HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSIONS WITH STAFF REGARDING COOLING OF TCS FOODS.

     Code MN Rule 4626.0385A

   • Not serious Priority 3

     Provide containers for food or beverages prepared for takeout or to be eaten immediately. Containers must be reuseable, recyclable or compostable.

     OBSERVED BLACK PLASTIC LIDS USED ON SITE. OPERATOR TO REPLACE WITH PRODUCTS THAT ARE RECYCLABLE. AN INFORMATIONAL HANDOUT ON APPROVED PRODUCTS IS BEING SENT OUT WITH THE INSPECTION REPORT.

     Code MCO 204.30A

   • Not serious Priority 3

     Doors and windows for all outside openings should be self-closing and tight-fitting. Seal openings along the outside of the building.

     OBSERVED A FEW OF THE SIDE DOORS TO HAVE NOTICEABLE GAPS UNDER THE DOORS. DOUBLE CHECK ALL EXTERIOR DOORS AND SEAL UP GAPS AND PROVIDE TIGHT FITTING SEALS.

     Code MN Rule 4626.1395A

   • Not serious Priority 3 Corrected on site

     Store single-service and single-use articles in the original protective package or other effective means to protect them from contamination.

     OBSERVED UNPACKAGED CLAM SHELL CONTAINERS STORED UPRIGHT ON SHELVING. MAINTAIN ITEMS EITHER COVERED OR STORED IN AN INVERTED MANNER. OPERATOR ADDRESSED PROPER STORAGE OF THE TAKE OUT CONTAINERS DURING THE INSPECTION.

     Code MN Rule 4626.0955C

4. Mar 27, 2023 Routine Score 98
   • Not serious Priority 3

     Keep the physical facilities in good repair.

     Second stall near window in women's restroom has cracked tile and hole in wall revealing plumbing. Repair.

     Code MN Rule 4626.1515

   • Not serious Priority 3

     Keep the plumbing system in good repair.

     Faucet leaks at handle of hand wash sink in main bar. Repair.

     Code MN Rule 4626.1040B

   • Not serious Priority 3

     Dispose of condensate drainage, no sewage liquids and rainwater from the point of discharge to disposal according to Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Rules Chapters 7080, 7081 and 7083

     Tap drip tray is draining into hand sinks and dump sinks in main upper level bar. These must be conveyed to a floor drain.

     Code MN Rule 4626.1220

   • Not serious Priority 3

     Store all clean equipment, utensils, linens, in a clean dry location where not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination and at least six inches above the floor.

     Observed ice wand stored on freezer shelf. These shelves are not routinely cleaned and sanitized and so not a contact surface for food utensils. Discussed storing wrapped in plastic wrap or in a clean pan. Instructed chef to wash, rinse and sanitize ice wands. Chef stated these are not currently used for any menu items.

     Code MN Rule 4626.0955A

   • Not serious Priority 2

     Use an effective method to date mark refrigerated, ready-to-eat, TCS food prepared in a processing plant and held for more than 24 hours once opened. Day one is the day the food was opened.

     Observed cauliflower date marked 3/17/23. Discard all TCS foods within 7 days of preparation.

     Code MN Rule 4626.0400B

   • Not serious Priority 3

     Have a covered trash can in toilet rooms.

     Men's restrooms do not have any covered waste bins available. Provide.

     Code MN Rule 4626.1260

   • Not serious Priority 3 Corrected on site

     Store single-service and single-use articles in the original protective package or other effective means to protect them from contamination.

     OBSERVED UNPACKAGED CLAMSHELL TAKE OUT CONTAINERS STORED UPRIGHT ON SHELVING. STORE TAKE OUT CONTAINERS IN A PROTECTIVE SLEEVE OR STORED INVERTED WHEN NOT IN USE. OPERATOR ADDRESSED REFERENCED ITEM DURING THE INSPECTION.

     Code MN Rule 4626.0955C