WHISKEY RIVER GRILL
2882 Palo Marsh Rd #D, Palo, IA, 52324
Most recent inspection
- Date
- February 24, 2026
- Type
- Routine
- Result
- Not reported
- Risk category
- Not reported
- Cited findings
- 8
- Jurisdiction
- Linn County (Cedar Rapids)
- Source risk checklist count
- 5
- Good Retail Practices findings
- 3
Published report comment
Full-service kitchen with bar area serving dine-in and take-out. Facility equipped with an indoor smoker that is used year round. Discussed date marking, storage order and cold holding practices with the facility. Long term corrective actions for repeat violation #28: Facility will retrain staff on proper storage of toxic substances. A physical recheck will be scheduled no later than 03/24/2026 to verify new practices from today's inspection risk factor violations.
Violations (8)
- 5-205.11CriticalCorrected on site
Iowa food code item 10 (Risk Factors)
Observation: Food debris was observed in the kitchen hand wash sink. A strainer was observed in the bar area hand wash sink. Corrected by: Food debris and strainer were removed from the hand wash sinks. On-site education on hand wash sink operation.
Risk Factors | PF | Item 10
- 3-302.11(A)(1)CriticalCorrected on site
Iowa food code item 15 (Risk Factors)
Observation: Raw whole muscle steaks were observed stored above ready to eat sauces and raw steaks were observed stored above cooked pork ribs in the prep table cooler. Corrected by: Ready to eat food was stored above raw food.
Risk Factors | P | Item 15
- 3-501.14(A)CriticalCorrected on site
Iowa food code item 20 (Risk Factors)
Observation: Cooked chili date marked 02/23 was observed at 42.1*F in the walk-in cooler. Corrected by: Facility voluntarily discarded temperature abused food.
Risk Factors | P | Item 20
- 3-501.16(A)(2)CriticalCorrected on site
Iowa food code item 22 (Risk Factors)
Observation: Raw fish fillets were observed being cold held at 43.4*F and raw chicken at 45.3*F. Corrected by: Facility moved chicken and fish into the walk-in cooler.
Risk Factors | P | Item 22
- 7-201.11CriticalCorrected on site
Iowa food code item 28 (Risk Factors)
Observation: A bottle of sanitizer and a bottle of pain reliever were observed stored above food prep tables. Corrected by: Toxic substances were stored away from food prep areas.
Risk Factors | P | Item 28
- 3-304.14Corrected on site
Iowa food code item 41 (Good Retail Practices)
Observation: Bar area sanitizer rags were not stored in sanitizer solution. Corrected by: Facility stored sanitizer rags in sanitizer solution.
Good Retail Practices | C | Item 41
- 4-401.11(A)(B), 4.402.11, 4-402.12, 4-501.11
Iowa food code item 47 (Good Retail Practices)
Observation: Front sauce cooler has a torn gasket.
Good Retail Practices | C | Item 47
- 5-501.17, 6-202.14, 6-501.18, 6-501.19,
Iowa food code item 53 (Good Retail Practices)
Observation: Employee restroom door is not self closing.
Good Retail Practices | C | Item 53
Source: Linn County (Cedar Rapids) health department. Data refreshed October 16, 2026. Results are shown in the health department's own wording. This record is provided for general information; confirm current status with the health department before relying on it.