Restaurant Inspections: Dust, Flying Bugs, Live Roaches

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation ordered emergency closures at three Tampa Bay area eateries last week when conditions inside didn’t meet guidelines for health and safety.

Roach activity and dirty conditions were among the biggest reasons behind the closings, but food storage issues were also concerns at some of the shuttered establishments. In its Emergency Closures report for the week ending Sept. 27, the state noted these local restaurants had been ordered shut until they cleaned up their acts:

Clearwater

El Huarache Azteca, 2908 Roosevelt Blvd.

• Initial inspection date – Sept. 22
• High priority violations – 5
• Intermediate violations – 2

Basic violations – 23

The inspector noted such high-priority violations as improper pesticide use, potentially hazardous food storage temperatures and raw animal foods not properly separated from each other. Twenty-five live roaches were found in a dry storage area with more found under a sink and near the hot water heater. The restaurant met state standards during a follow-up visit on Sept. 23.

Tampa

Wendy’s, 4314 Gandy Blvd.

• Initial inspection date – Sept. 22
• High priority violations – 2
• Intermediate violations – 2
• Basic violations – 6

The inspector noted such concerns as dust in the kitchen and an accumulation of construction debris on food-contact surfaces. Live, small flying insects were also found in inside the establishment. The eatery was allowed to reopen after it met state standards during a follow-up on Sept. 23.

Hong Kong, 1743 Hillsborough Ave.

• Initial inspection date – Sept. 21
• High priority violations – 3
• Intermediate violations – 8
• Basic violations – 22

The inspector noted such high-priority concerns as improper food storage and potentially hazardous food temperatures. Also noted was the presence of live roaches on the prep table and near the sink and slicer. The eatery met inspection standards during a Sept. 22 follow-up visit.

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