Restaurant Inspections: Roaches On Food, Insect Larvae

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

Live roaches, dirty conditions and unusual storage practices were among the reasons for the temporary closings. In its Emergency Closures report for the week ending May 21, the state noted these local restaurants had been ordered shut until they cleaned up their acts:

Clearwater Beach

Tans Chinese Restaurant, 432 Poinsettia Ave.

• Initial inspection date – May 17
• High priority violations – 6
• Intermediate violations – 5
• Basic violations – 19

Dead roaches, dirty conditions and improper sanitization raised red flags with the inspector, according to the state's report. Other findings, however, really caused concerns, including “insect larvae found in the grease drip tray inside smoker in kitchen.” The inspector also noted improper time/temperature controls on stored food, a spray bottle of cleaner next to sauces on the cook line and live roaches. Two roaches were found on the end of the cook line, four in a box of baggies, five near the hot water heaters, six more under a sink and one under bags of rice and flour, among others. The eatery met state standards during a return inspection May 18, the state noted.

Palm Harbor

#1 Wok, 36115 East Lake Road

• Initial inspection date – May 17
• High priority violations – 4
• Intermediate violations – 2
• Basic violations – 14

Dirty surfaces, backed up water in a sink and dead roaches found in a few locations, including next to raw beef, raised concerns for the inspector. Major red flags included the discovery of a “live roach inside container of dried rice; dead roach on raw chicken,” and the storage of drain cleaner next to honey. The inspector also found plenty of other live roaches, including 11 along a wall, one under the woks, one on a cutting board and another on the floor. The eatery failed a return inspection May 18, but did meet state standards later that same day.

Wesley Chapel

Woody’s Pizza & Wings, 5327 Village Market

• Initial inspection date – May 19
• High priority violations – 1
• Intermediate violations – 2
• Basic violations – 12

The inspector noted problems with dirty conditions, dust on a fan in the cook line and a lack of paper towels or another hand-drying device at a sink. The major concern, however, was the discovery of live roaches. The inspector noted 10 on a wall, 15 in a wheel-well of the reach-in cooler make table on the cook line and 20 underneath a sink, among others. The establishment met state standards during a return visit on May 20.

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