Tavern · Madison County, NY

Blind Squirrel Pub

Name: Blind Squirrel Pub
Address: 161 Phelps Street, Madison County, NY

161 Phelps Street

Last inspected Mar 26, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Non-critical violations only

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More issues recentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

5 inspections

Inspection

Mar 26, 2026

Non-critical violations only

3 recorded violations

minorCode 12EHandwashing

Official wording

Handwashing facilities inaccessible, improperly located, dirty, in disrepair, improper fixtures, soap, and single service towels or hand drying devices missing

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

Official wording

Single service items reused, improperly stored, dispensed, not used when required

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

minorCode 15AFacility maintenance

Official wording

Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from New York State Department of Health, Mar 26, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Jul 31, 2025

No violations found

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from New York State Department of Health, Jul 31, 2025 · Original Source

Inspection

May 9, 2025

Non-critical violations only

3 recorded violations

minorCode 8AContamination

Official wording

Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)

In plain English

Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.

More about food not protected from contamination

minorCode 10BCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

minorCode 11BCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from New York State Department of Health, May 9, 2025 · Original Source

Re-Inspection

Sep 5, 2024

Non-critical violations only

1 recorded violation

minorCode 15AFacility maintenance

Official wording

Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from New York State Department of Health, Sep 5, 2024 · Original Source

Inspection

Aug 9, 2024

Critical violations found

4 recorded violations

minorCode 11AOther

Official wording

Manual facilities inadequate, technique incorrect; mechanical facilities not operated in accordance with manufacturer's instructions

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

minorCode 15AFacility maintenance

Official wording

Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

minorCode 10BCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

criticalCode 2EFood temperature

Official wording

Accurate thermometers not available or used to evaluate potentially hazardous food temperatures during cooking, cooling, reheating and holding.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

Official record from New York State Department of Health, Aug 9, 2024 · Original Source