Restaurant Inspections: Rodents, Roaches, Suspicious Salmon

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

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

Sarasota

San Diego Tacos to Go, 2772 Bee Ridge Road

• Initial inspection date – Sept. 30
• High priority violations – 5
• Intermedia violations – 4
• Basic violations – 16

The inspector noted such high priority violations as employee failure to wash hands, improper dishwasher sanitization and cracked eggs stored for use. Roach activity was also uncovered with about 20 critters found under a mat where dirty linens are stored. The restaurant met state standards during a follow-up inspection on Oct. 1.

St. Pete Beach

Shark Tales, 677 75th Ave.

• Initial inspection date – Sept. 29
• High priority violations – 2
• Intermediate violations – 1
• Basic violations – 6

The inspector noted such concerns as a build-up of food debris under the hood in the kitchen, a dirty microwave and standing water. Of high-priority concern was the discovery of rodent activity. The inspector found about 20 soft droppings along the walls near the dishwasher. “Rodent rub marks” were also observed along the walls and gnaw marks were found on some plumbing pipes. The restaurant met state standards during a follow-up inspection on Sept. 30.

Tampa

China Buffet, 1245 E. Fowler Ave.

• Initial inspection date – Sept. 29
• High priority violations – 11
• Intermediate violations – 9
• Basic violations – 35

The inspector noted a number of big concerns including improper food storage, raw animal foods stored together and the use of improper temperatures. In addition, the “operator offers raw salmon at sushi bar with no evidence of parasite destruction.” Roach activity was also detected with live roaches found in numerous locations within the establishment. Rodent droppings were also found, including inside a drawer under the coffee station. The eatery failed to meet state standards during a follow-up inspection on Sept. 30, but was allowed to reopen later that same day after another visit. The inspector noted the need for another follow-up in the near future.

West Indian Delight, 3001 E. Osborne Ave., Suite A

• Initial inspection date – Oct. 1
• High priority violations – 5
• Intermediate violations – 10
• Basic violations – 16

The inspector noted employee failure to wash hands, potentially hazardous food storage temperatures and employee failure to change gloves among the higher priority concerns. Roaches were also found in the establishment, including on the wall under the prep table, on the table’s legs and on the kitchen floor. The restaurant met state standards during an Oct. 2 follow-up inspection.

Image via Shutterstock