Restaurant Inspections: Black Mold, Roaches, Maggots

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

Roach activity, dirty cooking equipment and unsafe food temperatures were among the biggest reasons behind the temporary closings. In its Emergency Closures report for the week ending Oct. 25, the state noted these local restaurants had been ordered shut until they cleaned up their acts:

Tampa

Scooter’s Saloon, 9847 E. Adamo Drive

• Initial inspection date – Oct. 21
• High priority violations – 7
• Intermediate violations – 6
• Basic violations – 22

The inspector noted such issues as employee failure to wash hands properly, potentially hazardous food storage temperatures, roach excrement, a “black/green mold-like substance” on the ice machine’s interior and the presence of “maggot-like insects in dumpster.” Roaches, a lot of them, were also a concern. About 23 were found under the reach-in cooler with more found near the fryer, mop sink and bottled-water cooler, the state report said. Two were also found under the grill top. The eatery failed to meet state standards on repeat visits Oct. 22 and Oct. 23. It was allowed to reopen with the need for yet another inspection during a second visit from the inspector on Oct. 23.

Lakeland

Asian Chao, 3800 U.S. 98

• Initial inspection date – Oct. 19
• High priority violations – 5
• Intermediate violations – 3
• Basic violations – 15

The inspector noted a number of concerns, including a food-encrusted microwave, leaking water pipes and encrusted “material” on a can opener blade. Other concerns centered on improper food storage, the discovery of “cornstarch with dead roaches” and more than 18 live roaches in the food prep area. The restaurant met state standards on a follow-up visit Oct. 20.

To read about other recent temporary closings, check out these related articles:

• Restaurant Inspections: Rodent Poop, Flying Bugs, Dirty Conditions
• Restaurant Inspections: Fishy Dish, Rodents, Hole in the Wall

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