Restaurant Inspections: Dead Rodents, Roaches, No Hair Nets

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

Roach activity, dirty conditions, rodent poop and dead rodents were among the biggest reasons behind the temporary closings. In its Emergency Closures report for the week ending April 17, the state noted these local restaurants had been ordered shut until they cleaned up their acts:

Tampa

MTC Downtown Café, 1302 N. Marion St.

• Initial inspection date – April 11
• High priority violations – 3
• Intermediate violations – 3
• Basic violations – 8

A dirty cutting board, food debris and a dead rodent in a trap all caught the inspector’s attention. According to the state report, high priority concerns included an employee handling food without washing hands first and the presence of live rodents in addition to the dead one. Rodent droppings were found near a grease trap under a sink. The amount, the inspector noted, added up to about 15 to 20 “soft droppings.” While temporarily closed on April 11, the eatery was allowed to open for business later that same day after meeting state standards.

Yummy House China Bistro, 2620 E. Hillsborough Ave.

• Initial inspection date – April 11
• High priority violations – 10
• Intermediate violations – 10
• Basic violations – 35

The inspector noted a number of concerns that ranged from an employee not using a hair restraint to potentially hazardous food storage temperatures. Some of the bigger concerns included live, small flying insects found in the food preparation area and roaches. Seven live roaches were found on a wall, two on the prep table, 20 in the soap dispenser, one by the cooling rack and more on a shelf. The inspector also noted the discovery of roach droppings and raw animal food stored over ready-to-eat items. The eatery failed two follow-up inspections before meeting state standards on April 12.

New Beginnings of Tampa, 1410 W. Chilkoot Ave.

• Initial inspection date – April 13
• High priority violations – 4
• Intermediate violations – 7
• Basic violations – 10

Dead roaches, dirty conditions and a hole in the wall caught the inspector’s attention. Live roaches and evidence of rodent activity were among the major concerns here. The inspector’s report noted four live roaches were found near the spices and two behind shelving at the buffet service area. Twenty dry rodent droppings were found under a push cart in the kitchen. “Two packages of Ramen noodles, which have had the packages chewed through under the same cart,” the report noted. Droppings were also found near the to-go barbecue sauces, in a utensil container on the drying rack and elsewhere. “Too numerous to country dry rodent dropping under cabinet at dining area near toasters,” the report said. The eatery was allowed to reopen April 14 after meeting state standards.

Temple Terrace

Curry Bowl, 8447 N. 56th St.

• Initial inspection date – April 14
• High priority violations – 5
• Intermediate violations – 2
• Basic violations – 26

An expired license, dirty conditions and frayed/spliced electrical wires all were noted in the state’s report. Flying insects in the prep area, improper food time and temperature controls, and live roaches also turned the inspector’s head. Twelve roaches were found behind cooking equipment, two on a wall and one above a prep table. The inspector also noted a sewage backup through the floor drains. The eatery was allowed to reopen after meeting state standards on April 15.

Gulfport

La Cote Basque Winehouse, 3104 Beach Blvd.

• Initial inspection date – April 12
• High priority violations – 5
• Intermediate violations – 4
• Basic violations – 6

The inspector mentioned such concerns as a dirty dishwasher, dead roaches and a crusty mixer head. High priority violations included the discovery of an “egg sac” in the gasket of a three-door cooler and live roaches found. Those critters were observed behind the prep table, on a gasket of a cooler that’s used to hold salads after prep and on the kitchen clean dish rack. Six were also seen on a shelf by sesame seed containers and near a door. The eatery was allowed to reopen after meeting state standards April 14.

St. Petersburg

Boardwalk Pasta and Seafood, 5901 Sun Blvd.

• Initial inspection date – April 12
• High priority violations – 4
• Intermediate violations – 6
• Basic violations – 8

An employee without a hair net, a dirty dishwasher and no paper towels all raised the inspector’s eyebrows. The biggest concerns, however, included improper food storage temperatures and the discovery of live roaches. The inspector noted “32 (roaches) beside batter table and behind wall in corner of cooks’ line in kitchen.” More were found on a flat-top grill and behind a stainless steel panel. A dirty soda gun, no soap for a handwashing sink and improperly defrosted fish were also mentioned in the state’s report. The eatery met state standards during a follow-up visit on April 13.

Fresh Go Wild Market and Grill, 600 34th St. N.

• Initial inspection date – April 15
• High priority violation – 1
• Intermediate violation – 1
• Basic violations – 3

A dead rodent was found in a trap near the ice machine, a hole in the ceiling was found and the soap dispenser was accidentally filled with antiseptic instead of soap, the state’s report noted. The biggest concerns, however, involved live rodent activity. The inspector noted 24 dried rodent droppings found under the dish rack, 10 “dried droppings in condiment counter in dining area,” and “17 dried droppings in middle of prep area.” Other droppings were found in the prep area and in a dish pit area. The eatery met state standards during a follow-up inspection of April 16.

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