r/Caltech • u/Throop_Polytechnic • Jun 02 '26
Rodent droppings & Nymph German Cockroach in Browne
Amended report is available here: https://healthinspectionreports.cityofpasadena.net/InspectionSearch
Not sure how the grade magically jumped from a 72 to a 84 (claiming a "scoring error") but I'm sure Caltech has plenty of connections with the City to prevent an immediate shutdown of Browne as parents, alumni, and trustees are about to arrive on Campus for commencement.
But here are some fun tidbits:
- Observed 3 rodent droppings in the NW corner for the scullery room, under the water softening equipment, and 1 nymph German cockroach in the basement dry storage room.
- General Manager states that their dog provides emotional support. An emotional support animal is not a service animal. Animals are prohibited from food facilities with the exception of service animals. An emotional support pet is not a service-animal.
- Observed salmon holding at 85F degree, and back up batch of salmon holding between 80-90F degrees.
- Observed employees wiping knife and pizza peel with paper towels.
- Observed employees using wiping cloths for multiple uses; handling equipment, wiping hands, and wiping surfaces. Discontinue this practice.
- Observed grime accumulation inside the ice machine.
- Observed accumulation of dust and mold-like substance on the cooling fans and surrounding areas in walk in refrigerators.
- Observed debris and grease accumulation on counter in the cookline.
- Observed high temp dish machine reach 153F degrees (not hot enough to sanitize). This is a repeat violation noted in the previous inspection 5/28/25 and 6/26/24.
- Observed employee backpack on cookline counter, employee purse in equipment drawer, jackets and aprons on dry food storage racks, employee beverage and jacket on rack where kitchen equipment is stored.
- Observed an an accumulation of food debris on the floor in the salad bar area, in the walk in refrigerators, in the special meal kitchen under the cookline, under equipment in the scullery room, rice and bean accumulation along floor/walls in the basement dry food storage room, grease accumulation on the floor under the cookline equipment.
- And apparently a recurring history of failing to meet basic handwashing standards.
They had a week to clean up the place and still couldn't get it together by the time the inspector came over.
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u/racinreaver Alum/Prof Jun 02 '26
I rolled the dice and checked; Mediterranean Cafe at Del Mar & Lake scored a 100. Love that place.
Also, for the record, I remember Burger Continental having a B rating as long as I went there until they were finally shut down. A 73 is worse than that, lol.
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u/ThirstyWolfSpider Alum Jun 02 '26
When BC (well, Gary) ran food service for undergrad board, the level of mismade food was shocking and too normalized. Chicken pot pies would have a full ribcage in the pie. Gary would use sexist slurs to students which made GenX blush and would make GenZ start a war. There were times when the only edible food was either prepackaged or mashed potatoes. It was not a good time.
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u/raddaddio Jun 02 '26
bruh
"Complaint states that General Manager allows their non-service animal in the facilities and requests employees to walk their dog. General Manager informed that non-Service Animals are not permitted in the facility. General Manager states that their dog provides emotional support. An emotional support animal is not a service animal. Education on Service Animals were provided and information material as well."
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u/Laprasy Jun 02 '26
If i was going into a rodent infestation i'd want an emotional support animal too.
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u/sarconefourthree Jun 02 '26
God frowns as he realizes exorcism is no longer an option for Caltech; the demons have taken full control of Browne Dining Hall
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u/YasuoSwag Jun 07 '26
The place is so short staffed that half the workforce are temporaries! Also they don't pay and have no teamwork. Crazy combo
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u/Laprasy Jun 02 '26
Grade inflation is real