Restaurant Inspections: 19 Roaches, Dirty Oven, Flies

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

Roach activity, dirty conditions and unsafe food storage temperatures were among the biggest reasons behind the temporary closings. In its Emergency Closures report for the week ending June 4, the state noted these local restaurants had been ordered shut until they cleaned up their acts:

Tampa

Sate Southeast Asian Grill, 2716 E. Fowler Ave.

• Initial inspection date – June 2
• High priority violations – 5
• Intermediate violations – 7
• Basic violations – 16

The inspector noted such concerns as dirty conditions, improper food temperature control and the discovery of a moldy substance on soda dispensing nozzles and in the ice machine. Flies in the dish area and live roaches, however, were among the highest priority concerns. Roaches were found on the kitchen wall, near a prep sink, inside a Saran wrap box on the prep table, under the prep table and near napkins, among other places. The eatery failed to meet standards during a June 3 re-inspection, but did so later that same day.

Gold Club Tampa, 6222 E. Adamo Drive

• Initial inspection date – June 2
• High priority violations – 4
• Intermediate violations – 3
• Basic violations – 13

Dead roaches, a hole in the wall and a “heavy accumulation of (a) black substance” in the oven raised red flags for the inspector. The state’s report noted such higher priority concerns as improper food storage temperatures, a dirty cooler and can opener blade, and live roaches. About 14 live roaches were found under the prep sink, five more under the three-compartment sink, two on the wall by the prep table and more near a hand wash sink. The eatery passed state inspection during a return visit on June 2, the state’s report noted.

Moh & Sami, 6844 N. 50th St.

• Initial inspection date – June 3
• High priority violations – 2
• Intermediate violations – 4
• Basic violations – 6

A dirty flour bin, greasy hood filters and dead roaches all raised red flags, according to the state’s report. The inspector also noted concerns about food being stored at temperatures that were too high. Live roaches were also found in a number of places throughout the establishment. The state’s report noted more than 10 roaches near the cook line, one under a prep table, one on the microwave table and a few in a hallway, among others. The eatery failed a return inspection on June 4, but met state standards on June 6, the state noted.

Apollo Beach

Say Cheese, 235 Apollo Beach Blvd., No. 163

• Initial inspection date – June 2
• High priority violations – 3
• Intermediate violations – 5
• Basic violations – 8

Greasy surfaces, a lack of food manager certification and dead roaches all raised alarm bells, the state’s report said. The biggest concerns included the use of an improper sanitizer and the discovery of live roaches. An estimated 19 crawling critters were found under the prep table, a few more near the cook line and one under a sink, the report said. The eatery was allowed to reopen on June 3, but the need for a return visit was noted by the inspector.

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