Restaurant Inspections: Dead Rodent, Live Roaches, Encrusted Surfaces

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation ordered emergency closures at seven Tampa Bay area food establishments last week when conditions inside didn’t meet state standards.

Roaches, rodents and dirty soda nozzles were among the biggest reasons behind the closings. In its Emergency Closures report for the week ending Dec. 5, the state noted these local restaurants had been ordered shuttered until they cleaned up their acts:

Bradenton

McDonald’s, 604 67th St. Circle E.

• Inspection date, Dec. 4
• High priority violations – 2
• Intermediate violations – 2
• Basic violations – 4

The inspector noted such concerns as a dirty floor, a lack of paper towels at the hand wash sink and failure to provide proof of state-approved employee training. The biggest issue, however, was the presence of live roaches under a prep table and near the fryer, according to the state’s report. The eatery failed to meet state standards during a return visit Dec. 5, but was able to do so later that same day.

St. Petersburg

Clay Oven, 9407 Martin Luther King Jr. St. N.

• Inspection date, Dec. 2
• High priority violations – 1
• Intermediate violations – 3
• Basic violations – 10

The inspector noted such concerns as food debris on the outside of the microwave, holes in several walls and uncovered food stored in the walk-in cooler. The biggest concern, however, involved the presence of rodents. The report noted 36 droppings found behind the bar, 25-plus in the dry stock area, 75-plus under and around the 3-teir oven and more under the prep area and cook’s line. A black/green moldy substance was also found on the soda dispensing nozzles. The eatery met state standards during a follow-up inspection on Dec. 3.

Temple Terrace

Brooklyn NY Pizza, 8763 Temple Terrace Highway

• Inspection date – Dec. 1
• High priority violations – 4
• Intermediate violations – 4
• Basic violations – 13

The inspector noted such concerns as an employee eating in a food prep area, cracked floor tiles and food stored on the floor. The biggest concerns involved the presence of roaches and rodents. About 30 live roaches were found behind the mixer, 25 on the menu board and more near the deep fryers, among other locations. Rodent activity was evidenced with 10 droppings found under a freezer. The restaurant met state standards during a Dec. 2 return inspection.

Ruskin

South Shore Pizza, 3026 College Ave. E.

• Inspection date – Dec. 1
• High priority violations – 4
• Intermediate violations – 0
• Basic violations – 7

The inspector noted issues with a dirty microwave, food-encrusted walk-in cooler shelves and issues with food storage. The main concern was the discovery of live roaches. About 12 were found under a prep table, five on a grease trap, one in the dining room and another by an office door. Roach droppings were also discovered. The eatery failed several return inspections, but managed to meet state standards on Dec. 2.

Tampa

Cedis Inc., 3609 N. 15th St.

• Inspection date – Dec. 1
• High priority violations – 1
• Intermediate violations – 3
• Basic violations – 15

The inspector noted a number of concerns, including the discovery of a dead rodent in the dry storage area. Rodent activity was also evidenced through the discovery of about 45 droppings next to the walk-in cooler, some under an AC vent and near an ice machine. The facility remained closed until it met state standards on Dec. 3.

El Caballero De Los Mares, 2104 W. Busch Blvd.

• Inspection date – Dec. 1
• High priority violations – 6
• Intermediate violations – 8
• Basic violations – 19

The inspector noted a number of concerns, including improper food storage, failure to sanitize food-contact surfaces and employees washing hands improperly. The biggest concerns, however, involved the discovery of live roaches. The critters were found near the cook line, above the sink and near the reach-in cooler. The eatery failed several re-inspections, but was allowed to reopen on Dec. 2. On Dec. 8, the state inspector noted a need for yet another follow-up inspection.

Hoosiers Grille, 10630 Plantation Bay Drive

• Inspection date – Dec. 2
• High priority violations – 2
• Intermediate violations – 3
• Basic violations – 8

The inspector found equipment in poor repair, grease on the kitchen floor and evidence of improper food storage. The biggest concerns centered on roach activity, however. Several were found near the cook line, under the grill and under the prep table, among other locations. The eatery remained closed after a re-inspection on Dec. 3, but was allowed to reopen that same day after meeting state standards.

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