A popular takeout restaurant near Ala Moana Center was shut down yesterday after state health inspectors found raw sewage backing up into the kitchen and being tracked into the customer service area. The Hawaii Department of Health issued a red placard to “U-Choice In” at the Don Quijote store after a critical food safety violation was discovered during a routine inspection.
According to the department, employees walked through standing sewage water and tracked it from the kitchen into the front service area while customers were present. The sewage did not stay in the kitchen after it backed up from a floor drain.
Visitors may know Don Quijote as the busy late-night discount supermarket near Ala Moana, where they pick up snacks, souvenirs, local treats, and last-minute groceries during their stay.
What Hawaii inspectors found inside.
The Department of Health identified the violation as a sewage overflow, which clearly qualifies as an imminent health hazard under Hawaii food safety rules. Inspectors required the operator to repair the plumbing issue and clean and sanitize the entire affected floor area before reopening…