Restaurant Inspections: Full Fly Strips, Scattering Roaches

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

Live roaches, dirty conditions, and unsafe food storage were among the biggest reasons behind the temporary closings. In its Emergency Closures report for the week ending May 1, the state noted these local restaurants had been ordered shut until they cleaned up their acts:

Tampa

Taco Bus, 913 E. Hillsborough Ave.

• Initial inspection date – April 28
• High priority violations – 4
• Intermediate violations – 3
• Basic violations – 6

An inaccessible hand washing sink, lack of hand drying towels and expired training credentials for some employees raised a red flag for the inspector, according to the state’s report. High priority issues included potentially hazardous food storage temperatures, the discovery of flying insects and live roaches. The inspector noted finding 10 live roaches by the reach-in cooler, four on the cooler’s gaskets, “3 live in drink cooler” and more near the cook line. The facility failed to meet state standards during a return visit on April 28, but did meet state standards on May 2, the state’s report noted.

Palm Harbor

#1 Wok, 36115 East Lake Road

• Initial inspection date – April 25
• High priority violations – 6
• Intermediate violations – 7
• Basic violations – 30

The inspector noted such issues as a bathroom that wasn’t completely enclosed, dirty conditions in the kitchen, dead roaches and employee failure to wear hair restraints. Dented/rusted cans, failure to sanitize food-contact surfaces and improper food storage temperatures also raised red flags. Roaches were also found in abundance. The state’s report noted “more than 20 live roaches in the mop sink area – when brush moved roaches of various sizes scattered.” More live roaches were found inside the plastic wrap dispenser, on top of the freezer and on the cook line. The eatery failed to meet state standards on three follow-up visits, but did so on April 29 and was allowed to reopen.

Lakeland

China Mei Wei Buffet, 4250 U.S. 98 N.

• Initial inspection date – April 26
• High priority violations – 4
• Intermediate violations – 7
• Basic violations – 13

The inspector founds such issues as “150-200 dead flying insects” on fly strips hanging in the dish and food preparation area, a build-up of grease on non-food contact areas and a plumbing system that was in disrepair. High priority concerns included hazardous food storage temperatures, raw animal food stored over ready to eat food and the need to stop sale on numerous food items due to a reach-in cooler that didn’t hold proper temperature. Roaches were also found in abundance. The inspector noted about 15 on top of the dish machine and roughly 25 more in its electronic control box. The establishment failed to meet state standards during a follow-up on April 27, but did so on May 2, the state noted.

J. Lee Asia Fusion Cuisine, 6735 U.S. Highway 98 N.

• Initial inspection date – April 27
• High priority violations – 2
• Intermediate violations – 4
• Basic violations – 6

Dirty non-food contact surfaces, uncovered food in a freezer and a dirty ice machine were some of the issues noted in the state report. High priority concerns included the need to issue a stop sale on some items and the discovery of live roaches. About 20 to 25 roaches were found behind the cook line, another 40 or so across from the cook line and about 15 to 20 “running across kitchen floor.” More roaches were found throughout the establishment. The eatery did not pass an April 28 re-inspection, but met state standards on April 29.

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