Restaurant Inspections: Dead Roach In Tortilla, Rodent Burrow, Fly Tape

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

Roach activity, rodents and unsafe food storage were among the biggest reasons behind the temporary closings. In its Emergency Closures report for the week ending Feb. 20, the state noted these local restaurants had been ordered shut until they cleaned up their acts:

St. Petersburg

Restaurante Pericos, 8901 4th St. N.

• Initial inspection date – Feb. 18
• High priority violations – 5
• Intermediate violations – 4
• Basic violations – 21

Fly sticky tape found hanging over the food preparation area, food stored on a floor and a dirty microwave were all noted as concerns in the state inspection report. High priority issues, however, included the discovery of improper food temperature control and the storage of raw animal food over ready-to-eat food. Rodents, lots of them, were the biggest concerns though. The inspector noted rodent rub and chew marks on walls and a door. “Approximately 75+” rodent droppings were found under the prep table, 34 on food storage containers, in the dish machine drain and other locations. Evidence of a rodent burrow was also found. The eatery was allowed to reopen after a follow-up inspection on Feb. 19. The inspector did note the need for a return visit.

Tampa

Genghis Grill Mongolian Stir Fry, 3805 Northdale Blvd.

• Initial inspection date – Feb. 15
• High priority violations – 1
• Intermediate violations – 7
• Basic violations – 10

The inspector noted a number of minor concerns, including the use of a handwashing sink for dumping, an encrusted can opener blade and a lack of towels at the handwashing sink. The biggest concern was the discovery of live roaches. They were found in the cooking area, under the buffet line, near the ice cream freezer and under the bar’s ice bin, among other locations. The eatery met state standards during a follow-up visit on the same day and was allowed to reopen.

Hoosiers Grille, 10630 Plantation Bay Drive

• Initial inspection date – Feb. 15
• High priority violations – 2
• Intermediate violations – 1
• Basic violations – 12

The inspector noted such concerns as equipment in poor repair, an ice buildup in the freezer and standing water in the bottom of the reach-in cooler. Dead roaches were also found on the premises including one “dead roach in tortilla package in reach in cooler make table,” the report noted. Live roaches were also found, including 10 near the cook line, 25 on the legs of the grill and 20 near the cooler’s motor. The eatery failed a follow-up inspection on Feb. 16, but met state standards later that same day.

Eliz Mexican Restaurant, 2620 E. Hillsborough Ave., Suite B

• Initial inspection date – Feb. 18
• High priority violations – 2
• Intermediate violations – 2
• Basic violations – 10

Dead roaches, food debris on shelving and a dirty wall were among the lower priority concerns. The biggest issues the inspector noted here involved an expired hotel and restaurant license and the discovery of live roaches. The critters were found crawling next to the oven, near the reach-in cooler, on a can of black beans and behind the reach-in cooler, among other places. The establishment was allowed to reopen after meeting state standards on Feb. 19.

Taste of Colombia and Mexico, 2311 W. Ivy. St.

• Initial inspection date – Feb. 18
• High priority violations – 8
• Intermediate violations – 7
• Basic violations – 12

The inspector noted a number of concerns with this mobile eatery, including the use of duct tape to repair equipment, an employee not using hair restraint and black debris accumulation in the dish washing area. The biggest concerns included employee failure to wash hands, an expired license and a lack of running water. The establishment failed a second inspection on Feb. 19, but met state standards during a Feb. 22 visit.

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