How gross are mall food courts? See a list of food violations at your North Jersey mall

Show Caption Hide Caption Willowbrook Mall: NJ residents weigh in on restaurant cleanliness Where do you draw the line on restaurant cleanliness? Would rodents, dirty hands make you swear off a chain for good? North Jersey residents weigh in.

As part of an investigation into food safety at New Jersey mall food courts, NorthJersey.com and the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey reviewed hundreds of pages of health reports from nine municipalities. Here are some of the findings:

Freehold Raceway Mall

Sbarro: "Temperatures of sausage and cheeses on pizza prep above 48 degrees;" "cooked chicken parm on front display, cooked chicken soup on back stove and cooked rice not hold at safe temperatures" - 9/26/18

Garden State Plaza

Bourbon Street Cafe: "Raw fish stored above ready-to-eat foods and cooked foods in fridge" - 2/28/18

"Raw fish stored above ready-to-eat foods and cooked foods in fridge" - 2/28/18 Bourbon Street Cafe: "Cooked meats were left on counter" - 6/4/18

"Cooked meats were left on counter" - 6/4/18 Bourbon Street Cafe: "Raw fish stored on shelf above cooked shrimp" - 11/20/18

"Raw fish stored on shelf above cooked shrimp" - 11/20/18 Charley's Philly Steaks: "Rodent droppings observed by prep sink" - 1/22/18

"Rodent droppings observed by prep sink" - 1/22/18 Charley's Philly Steaks: "Freezer items not frozen to the touch"; "rodents observed ... increased amounts of pest control devices observed" - 5/4/18

"Freezer items not frozen to the touch"; "rodents observed ... increased amounts of pest control devices observed" - 5/4/18 Charley's Philly Steaks: "Heavy accumulation of mice droppings around electrical box" - 7/24/18

"Heavy accumulation of mice droppings around electrical box" - 7/24/18 Charley's Philly Steaks: "Boxes of food stored on floor in walk-in fridge"; "boxes of food stored on floor" - 10/19/18

"Boxes of food stored on floor in walk-in fridge"; "boxes of food stored on floor" - 10/19/18 Chick-Fil-A: "Bottle of Tylenol stored on counter." - 8/17/18

"Bottle of Tylenol stored on counter." - 8/17/18 Chick-Fil-A: "Strawberries stored in walk-in fridge containing heavy mold growth." - 11/8/19

"Strawberries stored in walk-in fridge containing heavy mold growth." - 11/8/19 Jerk Shack Grill: "Spoon used to dispense cabbage stored in container of stagnant water at room temperature" - 8/29/18

"Spoon used to dispense cabbage stored in container of stagnant water at room temperature" - 8/29/18 Ruby Thai Kitchen: "Celery observed stored on lower shelving below raw meats" - 1/23/18

"Celery observed stored on lower shelving below raw meats" - 1/23/18 Ruby Thai Kitchen: "Container of raw shrimp stored on shelf above cooked pork" - 10/11/18

"Container of raw shrimp stored on shelf above cooked pork" - 10/11/18 Sarku Japan : "Tray of tempura shrimp held at room temperature" - 9/26/18

: "Tray of tempura shrimp held at room temperature" - 9/26/18 Taco Bell/KFC/Green Leaf's: "Knives in produce room stored between wall and sink" - 3/9/18

"Knives in produce room stored between wall and sink" - 3/9/18 Taco Bell/KFC/Green Leaf's: "Onions to be stored off the floor" - 8/7/19

"Onions to be stored off the floor" - 8/7/19 Villa Italian Kitchen: "In-use spatulas, tongs and ladles observed in standing water" - 4/25/18

"In-use spatulas, tongs and ladles observed in standing water" - 4/25/18 Villa Italian Kitchen: "Noticed two live roaches" - 4/14/19

A Villa Italian spokesman said, "The health and safety of our customers and employees, as well as the cleanliness of all of our locations, are our highest priorities. When we were made aware of these reports, we immediately took aggressive action to resolve any issues — which we have."

The Mills at Jersey Gardens

Burger King: "Bread supply not protected from the elements or tampering in outside hallway" - 11/20/18

"Bread supply not protected from the elements or tampering in outside hallway" - 11/20/18 Burger King: "PIC [person in charge] was informed to remove mouse traps from inside fryer, must provide traps along side of walls not in equipment" - 9/4/19

"PIC [person in charge] was informed to remove mouse traps from inside fryer, must provide traps along side of walls not in equipment" - 9/4/19 Sbarro/La Tampenade: "Poor food handling was noted"; "noted staff failing to wash hands between tasks during food service"; "observed squash cut improperly stored under a food prep table" - 11/21/18

A Burger King spokesperson said, "Providing a safe, clean environment for guests and team members is our priority. We have very strict protocols surrounding food safety at our restaurants and regularly conduct internal audits. We take any concerns that may arise very seriously and work with our restaurant owners to ensure proper compliance with our standards."

Menlo Park Mall

Asian Chao: "Large amount of raw chicken product in sink and on floor in back area" - 8/22/18

"Large amount of raw chicken product in sink and on floor in back area" - 8/22/18 Hummus Grill: "Sandals on floor with food"; "box of cigarettes on the floor" - 5/28/19

"Sandals on floor with food"; "box of cigarettes on the floor" - 5/28/19 Popeyes: "Floor very unclean throughout kitchen"; "possible roach issue in kitchen" - 8/20/19

"Floor very unclean throughout kitchen"; "possible roach issue in kitchen" - 8/20/19 Potatopia: "Unclean sheet pan utilized for storage" - 3/21/19

"Unclean sheet pan utilized for storage" - 3/21/19 Ruby Thai Kitchen: "NO CIGARETTES PERMITTED IN KITCHEN AREA"; "fish/shrimp defrosting improperly" - 7/18/19

"NO CIGARETTES PERMITTED IN KITCHEN AREA"; "fish/shrimp defrosting improperly" - 7/18/19 Stewart's: "No food handler certifications for any staff on site" - 8/9/19

A Potatopia spokesperson said the sheet pan is an old one that is "not used for prep or cooking of any kind."

Monmouth Mall

Dough Mama: "Follow-up to complaint - gloves must be worn when handling bare ready-to-eat foods" - 6/21/18

"Follow-up to complaint - gloves must be worn when handling bare ready-to-eat foods" - 6/21/18 Dough Mama : "Three dead cockroaches found in glue boards"; "knives stored between equipment" - 8/27/19

: "Three dead cockroaches found in glue boards"; "knives stored between equipment" - 8/27/19 Master Wok: "Live roaches found in prep sink/middle hand wash sink" - 7/24/18

Newport Centre

My Kitchen: "Raw eggs stored on top of cole slaw"; "inspector observed food handler preparing food without gloves"; "fruit flies/gnats throughout establishment"; "cookingware served on top of overflowing grease trap, contaminating frying pans"; "ice machine backsplash has black mold and bacterial growth left on walls dripping into consumable ice" - 7/19/18

"Raw eggs stored on top of cole slaw"; "inspector observed food handler preparing food without gloves"; "fruit flies/gnats throughout establishment"; "cookingware served on top of overflowing grease trap, contaminating frying pans"; "ice machine backsplash has black mold and bacterial growth left on walls dripping into consumable ice" - 7/19/18 Panda Express: "Ajax or unknown roach/rodent powder trailed throughout establishment" - 3/15/18

"Ajax or unknown roach/rodent powder trailed throughout establishment" - 3/15/18 Sarku Japan: "Piece of meat directly on floor in walk-in refrigerator surrounded by meat juice spillage" - 2/6/18

"Piece of meat directly on floor in walk-in refrigerator surrounded by meat juice spillage" - 2/6/18 Taste of India: "Rodent droppings" - Unknown date

Paramus Park

Bourbon Street Cafe: "Ice machine observed with grime/growth buildup" - 3/6/19

"Ice machine observed with grime/growth buildup" - 3/6/19 Bourbon Street Cafe: "Raw chicken stored on shelving above sauces" - 3/27/19

"Raw chicken stored on shelving above sauces" - 3/27/19 Master Wok: "Observed cooked chicken thighs left at room temp"; "kitchen knife and veggie slicer observed stored without washing off all food residue" - 5/14/19

"Observed cooked chicken thighs left at room temp"; "kitchen knife and veggie slicer observed stored without washing off all food residue" - 5/14/19 Master Wok: "Dead pests (roaches) observed on floors after recent pest control visit" - 2/15/19

"Dead pests (roaches) observed on floors after recent pest control visit" - 2/15/19 Master Wok: "Live roach behind hand soap dispenser" - 11/6/18

"Live roach behind hand soap dispenser" - 11/6/18 Master Wok: "Cut lettuce stored way over the fill line"; "cockroach observed on floor near tanks for soda fountain" - 2/12/18

"Cut lettuce stored way over the fill line"; "cockroach observed on floor near tanks for soda fountain" - 2/12/18 Mr. Cupcakes: display cases not at proper temperature - 4/10/19

display cases not at proper temperature - 4/10/19 Mr. Cupcakes: display cases not at proper temperature - 4/19/19

display cases not at proper temperature - 4/19/19 Mr. Cupcakes: display cases not at proper temperature - 10/3/18

display cases not at proper temperature - 10/3/18 Mr. Cupcakes: display cases not at proper temperature - 10/18/19

display cases not at proper temperature - 10/18/19 Nathan's: "Drawer warmers observed to be holding foods below 135" degrees - 4/5/18

"Drawer warmers observed to be holding foods below 135" degrees - 4/5/18 Nathan's: "Ice cream scoop observed in stagnant water" - 1/16/19

"Ice cream scoop observed in stagnant water" - 1/16/19 Nathan's: "Ice cream scoop stored in container with stagnant water" - 7/27/19

"Ice cream scoop stored in container with stagnant water" - 7/27/19 Nathan's: "Oil for deep fryer stored in a prohibited area in the bathroom" - 7/12/18

"Oil for deep fryer stored in a prohibited area in the bathroom" - 7/12/18 Sarku Japan: "Packages of frozen steak being defrosted improperly out at room temperature" - 2/7/18

Mr. Cupcakes owner Johnny Manganiotis told NorthJersey.com his display case temperature rises because "the doors are constantly opening and closing because people are buying cupcakes." Refrigerators are supposed to be set at 41 degrees. On multiple visits, Paramus health inspectors reported Mr. Cupcakes' refrigerators were between 42 and 54 degrees.

Sticky floors, dirty foot baths: Your salon may not have had a health inspection in years

It's not secret sauce: What's hiding in the kitchens at local mall food courts

Environment: Judge orders Keegan Landfill in Meadowlands to stay closed due to dangerous fumes

Rockaway Townsquare

Charley's Philly Steaks: "Raw eggs stored over ready-to-eat foods" - 6/4/18

"Raw eggs stored over ready-to-eat foods" - 6/4/18 Charley's Philly Steaks: "Raw eggs stored over lettuce" - 8/22/18

"Raw eggs stored over lettuce" - 8/22/18 Charley's Philly Steaks: "Mouse droppings observed in storage area"; "onions stored on floor" - 6/17/19

"Mouse droppings observed in storage area"; "onions stored on floor" - 6/17/19 Master Wok: "Food safety knowledge is limited and not being practiced"; "raw chicken stored above onions"; "cockroach feces observed"; "chicken observed on counter at 55" degrees - 11/7/18

"Food safety knowledge is limited and not being practiced"; "raw chicken stored above onions"; "cockroach feces observed"; "chicken observed on counter at 55" degrees - 11/7/18 Master Wok: "Plastic bags not acceptable replacement for a sink stopper" - 12/10/18

"Plastic bags not acceptable replacement for a sink stopper" - 12/10/18 My Kitchen: "Carrots observed stored under raw chicken" - 5/29/19

"Carrots observed stored under raw chicken" - 5/29/19 Wendy's: "Significant amount of mouse droppings observed in storage area"; "observed a baseball bat stored in the freezer on top of food" - 3/11/19

Willowbrook Mall

Bourbon Street Cafe: "Cooked chicken stored in walk-in fridge uncovered" - 7/19/19

"Cooked chicken stored in walk-in fridge uncovered" - 7/19/19 Charley's Philly Steaks: "Steaks stored directly on freezer floor" - 11/21/18

"Steaks stored directly on freezer floor" - 11/21/18 Nathan's: "Observed many fruit flies in rear prep room" - 11/6/18

"Observed many fruit flies in rear prep room" - 11/6/18 Qdoba: "Some fruit items stored directly on floor" - 12/28/18

"Some fruit items stored directly on floor" - 12/28/18 Ruby Thai Kitchen: "Cleaned cooking pans stored directly on floor" - 7/19/18

"Cleaned cooking pans stored directly on floor" - 7/19/18 Salad Works : "Walls and floors require heavy cleaning" - 6/14/19

: "Walls and floors require heavy cleaning" - 6/14/19 Wholly Cow: "Soft-serve nozzles, handles and unit exterior have old ice cream residue" - 11/21/18

Too many cats: Stray cat 'epidemic' has Garfield residents asking for help

Forever 21 bankruptcy: Six New Jersey stores could close

Vaping crisis: First NJ vaping death related to national outbreak reported

American Dream: Here's which attractions are opening when this fall