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Restaurant · Wake County, NC

La Cucina Italiana

2101 Grace Park Dr

Last inspected Sep 8, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Score 95.5

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Repeat problemsSerious findings or closures appear in two or more of the last three inspections. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

3 inspections

1 - Inspection

Sep 8, 2026

Score 95.5

Official score: 95.5 · Understand this area’s scale

7 recorded violations

notedCode 3-302.11Other

Official wording

Food separated & protected

Inspector’s notes

3-302.11; Priority; Observed brownies stored below raw shrimp and raw chicken parm stored directly above pans of cooked pasta inside tall reach in. Food shall be protected from cross contamination: Separate raw animal foods during storage; preparation; holding; and display from: raw ready-to-eat food including other raw animal food such as fish for sushi or; or other raw ready-to-eat food such as fruits and vegetables. Manager rearranged storage hierarchy.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
notedCode 4-602.11Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector’s notes

4-602.11; Core; Black residue present inside ice machine. In equipment such as ice bins and beverage dispensing nozzles and enclosed components of equipment such as ice makers; clean equipment at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil or mold. Empty ice and detail clean machine. Manager agreed to empty ice and detail clean machine.

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
notedCode 3-501.16(A)(1)Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

3-501.16(A)(1) ; Priority; Observed meatballs held in hot holding well below 135F. TCS foods shall be held at 135F or greater. Items reheated on stove above 165F.

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
notedCode 3-501.16 (A)(2) and (B)Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

3-501.16 (A)(2) and (B); Priority; Observed improvement in cold holding practice. However; observed pans of marinara cooked and cooled on previous days holding above 41F. Manager called for service on unit. TCS food shall be held at 41F or below. Items discarded.

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
notedCode 7-102.11Chemicals

Official wording

Toxic substances properly identified stored & used

Inspector’s notes

7-102.11; Priority Foundation; Observed blue and clear chemicals stored on food prep table. Working containers used for storing poisonous or toxic materials such as cleaners and sanitizers taken from bulk supplies shall be clearly and individually identified with the common name of the material- items labeled.

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely
notedCode 3-501.15Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

Inspector’s notes

3-501.15; Priority Foundation; Observed recently prepped cut tomatoes; ham cooling inside cold top station with doors open. Cooling shall be accomplished by: 1) Placing the food in shallow pans (2) Separating the food into smaller or thinner portions (3) Using rapid cooling equipment 1) Arranged in the equipment to provide maximum heat transfer through the container walls; or loosely covered; or uncovered if protected from overhead contamination. Covers removed. Item placed in walk in for rapid cooling.

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
notedCode 4-904.11 Observed several spoons stored with food contact surface exposed on drying rack. KnivesEquipment and utensils

Official wording

Utensils; equipment & linens: properly stored; dried & handled

Inspector’s notes

4-904.11 Observed several spoons stored with food contact surface exposed on drying rack. Knives; forks; and spoons that are not prewrapped shall be presented so that only the handles are touched by employees and by consumers if consumer self-service is provided.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Sep 8, 2026 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Apr 27, 2026

Score 95.5

Official score: 95.5 · Understand this area’s scale

8 recorded violations

notedCode 2-201.11 (A)Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Management; food & conditional employee; knowledge; responsibilities & reporting

Inspector’s notes

2-201.11 (A); (B); (C); and (E); Priority; Policy unavailable onsite today. (A) The permit holder shall require food employees and conditional employees to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities as they relate to diseases that are transmissible through food. A food employee or conditional employee shall report the information in a manner that allows the person in charge to reduce the risk of foodborne disease transmission; including providing necessary additional information; such as the date of onset of symptoms and an illness; or of a diagnosis without symptoms; if the food employee or conditional employee: (1) Has any of the following symptoms: (a) Vomiting;P (b) Diarrhea;P (c) Jaundice;P (d) Sore throat with fever;P or (e) A lesion containing pus such as a boil or infected wound that is open or draining and is: (i) On the hands or wrists; unless an impermeable cover such as a finger cot or stall protects the lesion and a SINGLE-USE glove is worn over the impermeable cover. Employee health policy shall be onsite and readily available for review by inspector. Policy sent to manager

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues
notedCode 2-501.11Other

Official wording

Procedures for responding to vomiting & diarrheal events

Inspector’s notes

2-501.11; Priority Foundation; Policy not available for review. A food establishment shall have written procedures for employees to follow when responding to vomiting or diarrheal events that involve the discharge of vomitus or fecal matter onto surfaces in the food establishment. The procedures shall address the specific actions employees must take to minimize the spread of contamination and the exposure of employees; consumers; food; and surfaces to vomitus or fecal matter. EHS sent policy and poster to PIC via email.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
notedCode 3-101.11 3-101.11Contamination

Official wording

Food in good condition; safe & unadulterated

Inspector’s notes

3-101.11 3-101.11; Priority; Observed white growth on tomatoes and spoilage on cabbage and lemons in walk in. Food shall be safe; unadulterated; and honestly presented- item discarded.

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
criticalCode 4-501.114Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector’s notes

4-501.114; Priority; Observed chlorine residual 0PPM at dish machine. Chlorine shall register 50-200PPM when tested. Manager will call for service on unit.

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
notedCode 3-501.17Food source and labeling

Official wording

Proper date marking & disposition

Inspector’s notes

3-501.17; Priority Foundation; . Observed dates missing for open packages of feta; ricotta cheese;; deli ham; deli turkey and fresh mozzarella cooked wings. Observed house made meat sauce; lasagna; and pans of cooked sausage. Ready to eat ; Potentially hazardous food (Time/temperature for food safety food )prepared and held in a food establishment for more than 24 hours shall be marked to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises; sold; or discarded; based on the temperature and time combinations specified below. The day of preparation shall be counted as Day 1. All items dated.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
notedCode 7-102.11Chemicals

Official wording

Toxic substances properly identified stored & used

Inspector’s notes

7-102.11; Priority Foundation; Observed blue and clear chemicals stored on food prep table. Working containers used for storing poisonous or toxic materials such as cleaners and sanitizers taken from bulk supplies shall be clearly and individually identified with the common name of the material- items labeled. 7-203.11 ; Priority; Observed Lysol multipurpose cleaner bottle reused do dispense bleach. A container previously used to store poisonous or toxic materials may not be used to store; transport; or dispense food. P sanitizing solutions shall not be stored in or dispensed from containers previously containing other poisonous or toxic materials. Item discarded.

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely
notedCode 3-501.13Food temperature

Official wording

Approved thawing methods used

Inspector’s notes

3-501.13 ; Priority Foundation; Observed frozen chicken thawing in standing hot water inside food prep sink. Hot water temp 118F. Potentially hazardous food (Time/temperature for food safety food ) shall be thawed: (A) Under refrigeration that maintains the food temperature at 41F or below B) Completely submerged under running water: (1) At a water temperature of 70F or below. Water discarded; item cooked.

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
majorCode 4-501.110Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Warewashing facilities: installed; maintained & used; test strips

Inspector’s notes

4-501.110; Priority Foundation; Observed maximum temperature during wash cycle; inside dish machine 106F. The temperature of the wash solution in spray-type warewashers that use chemicals to SANITIZE may not be less than 49 C (120 F). Pf

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 Wake County Environmental Services, Apr 27, 2026 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Dec 31, 2025

Score 95

Official score: 95 · Understand this area’s scale

8 recorded violations

notedCode 3-101.11 3-101.11Contamination

Official wording

Food in good condition; safe & unadulterated

Inspector’s notes

3-101.11 3-101.11; Priority; Observed thick fuzzy green growth on a vegetable held inside reach in cooler. Food shall be safe; unadulterated; and honestly presented- item discarded.

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
notedCode 4-601.11 (A)Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11 (A); Priority Foundation; Observed dried food debris inside food prep sink. Observed cups with drink residue inside stored as clean on drying racks. Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch- items placed in 3 comp sink. 4-602.11; Core; Light debris on baffle inside ice machine. In equipment such as ice bins and beverage dispensing nozzles and enclosed components of equipment such as ice makers; clean equipment at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil or mold. Empty ice and detail clean machine. Manager agreed to empty ice and detail clean machine.

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
notedCode 3-501.16(A)(1)Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

3-501.16(A)(1) ; Priority; Observed marinara and meatballs held in hot holding well below 135F. TCS foods shall be held at 135F or greater. Items reheated on stove above 165F.

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
criticalCode 3-501.16 (A)(2) and (B)Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

3-501.16 (A)(2) and (B); Priority; Observed fresh mozzarella holding; crumble sausage; turkey sausage; ham; Canadian bacon; cut tomatoes; feta roasted peppers; thinly sliced sausage ect...above 41F. Ambient air inside makeline unit 50F. Manager called for service on unit. EHS will return to verify unit temps. TCS food shall be held at 41F or below. Items discarded.

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
notedCode 3-501.17Food source and labeling

Official wording

Proper date marking & disposition

Inspector’s notes

3-501.17; Priority Foundation; Observed illegible dates on a few pans of pasta sauce held inside walk in cooler. Observed dates missing for cooked sausage; open gallon whole milk; turkey bacon; cut tomato; open container of heavy cream and ricotta cheese; cooked wings; open package of fresh mozzarella. Ready to eat ; Potentially hazardous food (Time/temperature for food safety food )prepared and held in a food establishment for more than 24 hours shall be marked to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises; sold; or discarded; based on the temperature and time combinations specified below. The day of preparation shall be counted as Day 1. All items dated.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
notedCode 7-201.11Chemicals

Official wording

Toxic substances properly identified stored & used

Inspector’s notes

7-201.11; Priority; Observed blue spay chemical stored on food prep table. Poisonous or toxic materials shall be stored so they can not contaminate food ; equipment; utensils; linens; and single service articles by: (A) Separating the poisonous or toxic materials by spacing or partitioning; P and (B) Locating the poisonous or toxic materials in an area that is not above food ; equipment; utensils; linens; and single service articles or single use articles- all items placed in designated area.

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely
majorCode 4-204-112Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Thermometers provided & accurate

Inspector’s notes

4-204-112; Priority Foundation; No thermometer provided for small display unit holding desserts such as cheesecake. In a mechanically refrigerated or hot FOOD storage unit; the sensor of a TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE shall be located to measure the air temperature or a simulated product temperature in the warmest part of a mechanically refrigerated unit and in the coolest part of a hot FOOD storage unit. Obtain ambient air thermometer.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues
notedCode 3-304.14Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

Inspector’s notes

3-304.14; Observed chlorine sanitizer residual 0PPM inside bucket. Chlorine shall register 50-200PPM. Solution replaced 200PPM.

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 Wake County Environmental Services, Dec 31, 2025 · Original Source

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