State Closes 3 Bay Area Restaurants Temporarily

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 was one of the biggest reasons behind the closings, but food storage issues were also concerns some of the shuttered establishments. In its Emergency Closures report for the week ending Aug. 2, the state noted these local restaurants had been ordered shut until they cleaned up their acts:

Clearwater

Moe’s Southwest Grill, 2539 Countryside Blvd., Suite 8

• Initial inspection date – July 30
• High priority violations – 3
• Intermediate violations – 3
• Basic violations – 11

Inspectors noted live roach activity and improper chemical storage as high-priority concerns. Live roaches were “observed 7 on castors and floor beneath front line reach-in coolers, 1 on front line reach-in cooler, 3 and 3 compartment sink.” During a return visit on July 31, the inspector noted the need for another follow-up inspection. The remaining violations, however, were deemed not an immediate threat to the public.

Tampa

Simply Good Foods, 5553 S. 78th St.

• Initial inspection date – July 30
• High priority violations – 5
• Intermediate violations – 4
• Basic violations – 22

Inspectors noted a number of high-priority violations including the presence of live roaches, roach excrement and improper food storage. A stop sale was issued “due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition.” The eatery failed to meet inspection standards during a July 31 follow-up visit. A second visit on July 31 resulted in the inspector noting the need for additional follow-up, but saying that remaining violations were not an immediate threat to public health.

Rincon Catracho Restaurant, 5901 N. Florida Ave.

• Initial inspection date – July 30
• High priority violations – 4
• Intermediate violations – 3
• Basic violations – 17

Inspectors noted improper handwashing, improper food storage and live roach activity among their high-priority concerns. Live roaches were found “3 live under dish machine, 1 live on side of prep sink, 1 live on wall near breaker box, 1 live on floor on cooks line, 4 live in compressor of reach in cooler on cooks line, 8 live in oven, 1 live on exterior of oven, 1 live on floor near entrance to kitchen, 1 live on wall near fryers and prep table.” The inspection report noted the roach activity was a repeat violation. The restaurant failed to meet inspection standards during a repeat visit on July 31. It did, however, meet them during another visit that same day.

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