Twenty-two Seneca County food service operations and retail food establishments received critical citations during inspections conducted by the Seneca County General Health District in July 2026, according to records from the district’s public food safety inspection database.
Most of the critical violations were marked corrected during the inspection. At six facilities — St. Catherine’s Manor of Fostoria, Hunan King in Tiffin, the Fostoria Dairy Queen, Mi Tequilas in Fostoria, Little Mexico Mexican Restaurant in Fostoria and Tavern 19 in Bloomville — at least one critical violation was not recorded as corrected on-site. That is up from four facilities in June.
Under Ohio’s food code, a critical violation is one directly linked to the risk of foodborne illness.
St. Catherine’s Manor of Fostoria — 25 Christopher Drive, Fostoria
The skilled nursing and assisted living facility received two critical violations during a standard/critical control point inspection Friday, July 24, 2026. Neither was marked corrected during the inspection.
Health district inspectors ran the facility’s high-temperature dish machine through three cycles. According to the inspection record, the surface of the plate reached only 153°F. To sanitize effectively, the plate surface must reach 160°F and the final rinse gauge must reach 180°F. Inspectors recorded that the three-bin sink would be used until the dish machine is repaired.
Inspectors also cited the facility for a handwashing sink that was not accessible. The record states a rack was blocking the hand sink in the dish washing area and that the sink itself was full of utensil bins. Hand sinks must be kept accessible for use at all times.
Inspectors recorded one positive observation: handwashing facilities were properly supplied. The facility carries a Risk Level IV designation, the highest risk category assigned to food service operations.
Hunan King — 253 S. Washington St., Tiffin
The Tiffin restaurant received two critical and two non-critical violations during a standard inspection Thursday, July 23, 2026.
Both critical violations were cited under the same rule governing protection of food from contamination through separation, packaging and segregation. In the first — a repeat violation, and the one not marked corrected during the inspection — inspectors observed foods that were not covered. In the second, inspectors found raw chicken stored above raw beef in the walk-in cooler; the chicken was moved during the inspection.
Non-critical violations cited wet wiping cloths sitting out rather than being held in a sanitizing solution, and the absence of a sanitizer test kit — also a repeat violation — with inspectors noting the facility needs test strips for its quaternary ammonium sanitizer. Hunan King carries a Risk Level III designation.
Dairy Queen — 1204 N. Countyline St., Fostoria
The seasonal Fostoria location received two critical and three non-critical violations during a standard/critical control point inspection Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
The critical violation not marked corrected on-site cited the person in charge for failing to ensure employees were properly sanitizing equipment and utensils and monitoring sanitizer parameters. Inspectors observed that sanitizer was missing from the washing process and recorded that staff was unaware of the sanitizer requirement. A second critical violation, a repeat, cited uncovered food in the freezer and was corrected during the inspection.
Non-critical violations cited food stored on the floor of the cooler, no sanitizer test kit available, and the facility not being maintained clean. Inspectors also recorded two positive observations: an employee was seen washing hands when required, and hot foods were being held at 135°F or above and cold foods at 41°F or below. The facility carries a Risk Level IV designation.
Mi Tequilas — 1659 Countyline St., Fostoria
The Fostoria restaurant failed a follow-up inspection Wednesday, July 1, 2026, over the same problem that drew a critical citation the previous month. Inspectors again cited the facility for food not properly protected from contamination by separation, packaging and segregation, observing uncovered hot-holding foods. The inspector’s comment on the record reads: “HOT HOLDING STILL UNCOVERED.”
Mi Tequilas was one of four facilities in the health district’s June inspections where a critical violation was not recorded as corrected on-site. The record notes that other violations from the prior inspection have since been corrected. The facility carries a Risk Level IV designation.
Little Mexico Mexican Restaurant — 339 W. Lytle St., Fostoria
The Fostoria restaurant received one critical and one non-critical violation during a standard/critical control point inspection Thursday, July 9, 2026. The critical violation, a repeat, cited uncovered food in the cooler and was not marked corrected during the inspection.
A non-critical violation cited debris on the kickplate of the ice maker. Inspectors recorded that the owners are in the process of taking ServSafe classes online, and logged two positive observations: an employee was demonstrating good hygiene practices, and toxic materials were properly identified and stored. The facility carries a Risk Level IV designation.
Tavern 19 — 31 S. Marion St., Bloomville
The Bloomville tavern received one critical and one non-critical violation during a standard inspection Friday, July 31, 2026 — the last inspection of the month. Inspectors cited the facility for refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature controlled for safety (TCS) food not properly date marked, observing pulled pork without a date mark. The violation was not marked corrected during the inspection.
A non-critical violation cited a small countertop cooler with no thermometer. Tavern 19 carries a Risk Level III designation.
Fatheads — 218 Washington St., Republic
The Republic establishment received two critical and one non-critical violation during a follow-up inspection Thursday, July 2, 2026. Both critical violations were corrected during the inspection, but the inspector’s comment on the record states the reason for the follow-up was not resolved: “HANDSINKS WERE NOT INSTALLED.”
The accompanying non-critical violation cites handwashing sinks that are not conveniently located as required, with inspectors observing no hand sinks present in either the prep area or the kitchen area.
The two critical violations cited uncovered food on a counter and in a freezer, and ready-to-eat TCS food not properly discarded when required, with inspectors observing food in the cooler outside the seven-day safety window. Both were corrected during the inspection. Fatheads carries a Risk Level IV designation.
IronWood Restaurant — 4399 State Route 231 S., Tiffin
The restaurant received two critical and one non-critical violation during a standard/critical control point inspection Thursday, July 16, 2026. Inspectors cited shrimp in the cooler without a date mark — a repeat violation — and expired food in the cooler that had not been discarded when required. Both were corrected during the inspection.
A non-critical violation cited an uncovered lightbulb in dry storage. Inspectors recorded two positive observations: toxic materials were properly identified and stored, and handwashing facilities were properly supplied. IronWood carries a Risk Level IV designation.
El Dorado Taco — 150 W. Lytle St., Fostoria
The Fostoria restaurant received two critical violations during a standard inspection Thursday, July 9, 2026. Inspectors observed containers in the handwashing sink, making it inaccessible, and uncovered food in the cooler and freezer — the latter a repeat violation. Both were corrected during the inspection.
Inspectors recorded that the business is intending to close by the end of the month. Two positive observations were also logged: the person in charge properly applies restrictions and exclusions for ill employees, and toxic materials are properly identified and stored. The facility carries a Risk Level IV designation.
Fostoria United Sportsman — 1324 U.S. 23 N., Fostoria
The club received two critical violations during a standard/critical control point inspection Thursday, July 9, 2026. Inspectors observed uncovered food in the cooler and an unlabeled bottle of cleaning product; working containers of poisonous or toxic materials must be properly labeled. Both violations were corrected during the inspection.
Inspectors recorded two positive observations: handwashing facilities were properly supplied, and the operation had an employee health policy on file. The facility carries a Risk Level IV designation.
Fostoria Country Club — 747 Independence Ave., Fostoria
The club received one critical and one non-critical violation during a standard/critical control point inspection Wednesday, July 29, 2026. Inspectors found a cooler operating at 55°F, above the 41°F limit for cold-held TCS foods. All food in the cooler was thrown out and the violation was corrected during the inspection.
A non-critical violation cited debris on the kick plate of the ice maker. Inspectors recorded that toxic materials were properly identified and stored and that an employee was observed washing hands when required. The facility carries a Risk Level IV designation.
Madison Street Tavern — 92 Madison St., Tiffin
The Tiffin tavern, licensed to Chase Services LLC, received one critical violation during a standard/critical control point inspection Thursday, July 9, 2026. Inspectors found chicken in a cooler at 50°F. The chicken was thrown out, a service call was placed for the cooler, and the violation was corrected during the inspection.
Inspectors recorded two positive observations: an employee was demonstrating good hygiene practices, and handwashing facilities were properly supplied. The facility carries a Risk Level IV designation.
S & S Concessions #2 — 5191 Township Road 138 E., Tiffin
The mobile food service operation received one critical and one non-critical violation during a standard inspection Monday, July 27, 2026. Inspectors measured the prep cooler at 49°F and noted that any TCS food above 41°F needs to be discarded. The record states the cooler was rechecked Tuesday, July 28, 2026, and was operating properly. The violation was marked corrected during the inspection.
A non-critical violation, a repeat, cited the facility not being maintained clean, with inspectors noting the inside needs cleaned. The operation carries a High Risk designation.
New Riegel Moose Lodge — 13 E. Tiffin St., New Riegel
The lodge received one critical violation during a standard/critical control point inspection Friday, July 10, 2026, for improper cooling of TCS food. Inspectors found a malfunctioning cooler; food was removed and a service call was placed for repair. The violation was corrected during the inspection.
Inspectors recorded two positive observations: the person in charge properly applies restrictions and exclusions for ill employees, and an employee was observed washing hands when required. The facility carries a Risk Level IV designation.
Left Field — 7889 County Road 10 W., New Riegel
The New Riegel establishment received one critical violation during a standard/critical control point inspection Friday, July 10, 2026, after inspectors found chicken missing a date mark. The violation was corrected during the inspection.
Inspectors noted that the prep cooler across from the grill and deep fryers is not sealing properly and needs to be fixed. They also observed pizza dough being prepared using proper sanitary protocols, recorded an employee changing gloves when required, and found toxic materials properly identified and stored. The facility carries a Risk Level IV designation.
G & L — Shell — 2942 State Route 100 S., Tiffin
The Tiffin retail food establishment received one critical violation during a standard inspection Wednesday, July 29, 2026. In the pizza prep cooler, inspectors found a container of gravy date marked July 19, past the seven-day use-by date. The gravy was thrown out and the violation was corrected during the inspection. The facility carries a Risk Level III designation.
Little Caesars — 708 N. Union St., Fostoria
The Fostoria pizza restaurant received one critical and two non-critical violations during a standard/process review inspection Monday, July 20, 2026. The critical violation, a repeat, cited uncovered food in the cooler and was corrected during the inspection.
Non-critical violations cited the absence of an employee with manager certification in food protection — inspectors noted the new manager does not have certification — and a drive-thru window that does not close fully. Inspectors directed the facility to obtain food safety certifications by the next inspection and recorded observing a pizza order being made using proper food safety procedure. The facility carries a Risk Level IV designation.
American Table Fostoria — 603 Plaza Drive, Fostoria
The Fostoria restaurant received one critical and one non-critical violation during a standard/critical control point inspection Thursday, July 23, 2026. The critical violation, a repeat, cited uncovered food in the cooler and was corrected during the inspection. A non-critical violation cited a need for general cleaning.
Inspectors recorded that employees were eating, drinking or using tobacco in a designated area, and that an employee was observed washing hands when required. American Table also appeared in the health district’s April and June roundups. The facility carries a Risk Level IV designation.
Napoli Pizza Inc. — 378 W. Market St., Tiffin
The Tiffin pizza restaurant received one critical and one non-critical violation during a standard/process review inspection Thursday, July 9, 2026. The critical violation, a repeat, cited uncovered butter and mayonnaise in the cooler and was corrected during the inspection. A non-critical violation cited general cleaning needed across several areas. The facility carries a Risk Level IV designation.
The Empire — 138 S. Washington St., Tiffin
The downtown Tiffin venue received one critical violation during a standard/critical control point inspection Friday, July 24, 2026, for missing date marks on items in a cooler. The violation, a repeat, was corrected during the inspection.
Inspectors recorded two positive observations: toxic materials were properly identified and stored, and an employee was observed washing hands when required. The facility carries a Risk Level IV designation.
Marco’s Pizza #1034 — 301 N. Main St., Fostoria
The Fostoria location, licensed to Pau Hana LLC, received one critical and one non-critical violation during a standard inspection Thursday, July 9, 2026. Inspectors found the quaternary ammonium sanitizing solution at incorrect temperature, concentration or water hardness, noting that the sanitizer was empty. The violation was corrected during the inspection.
A non-critical violation cited the absence of an employee with manager certification in food protection. Inspectors recorded that a staff member is working on renewing her ServSafe certification. The facility carries a Risk Level III designation.
Pit Stop C-Store Inc. — 321 E. Perry St., Tiffin
The Tiffin convenience store received one critical violation during a standard inspection Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Inspectors found a rack sitting over the handwashing sink, making it inaccessible. The rack was moved and the violation was corrected during the inspection. The facility carries a Risk Level III designation.
About the inspections
Food facility inspections in Seneca County are conducted by the Seneca County General Health District’s Environmental Health Division, which is responsible for food service operations, temporary food service operations, vending machines, micro-markets, mobile food operations and retail food establishments. Facilities are inspected on a schedule determined by their assigned risk level, with higher-risk establishments inspected more frequently.
A critical violation indicates a condition that, if left uncorrected, could directly contribute to a foodborne illness. Non-critical violations involve conditions that must be addressed to maintain compliance with Ohio food safety standards but do not pose the same immediate risk. Facilities cited for critical violations are generally expected to correct them on-site or within a specified timeframe, and may be scheduled for a follow-up inspection.
Full inspection records for Seneca County food facilities are available through the health district’s public inspection database. TiffinOhio.net publishes this roundup monthly; previous editions covered May and June inspections.
