One food truck, one restaurant closed, cited for pest activity

Live roaches and evidence of rodents caused Florida restaurant inspectors to close a Bradenton food truck and give warning to a restaurant in Palmetto.

▪  Taqueria El Taquito, a mobile food dispensing vehicle with an address of 3010 14th St. W., was shut down on May 22 because inspectors found approximately 20 live roaches. “Observed live roaches coming out of water heater under three compartment sink,” according to the report. Taqueria El Taquito reopened the next day with about a dozen violations still on record, including “High Priority - Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.” The operators were given a time extension to fix the violations.

▪  Joey D’s at Palmetto, 945 Tenth St. E., a sit-down Chicago-style cuisine restaurant, was given a warning on May 23 because inspectors discovered rodent droppings. “Observed three hard rodent droppings, two in service alley and one in dry food storage area.” About a dozen more violations were recorded, including two that resulted in a stop sale for chicken wings. When inspectors returned the next day, the rodent droppings and food temperature issue were taken care of, per the inspection report. Operators were given a time extension to correct the remaining four violations, which included, “No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling” and “Soda gun soiled. Inside red nozzle contains black mold-like substance.”

From last week’s report:

▪  When inspectors visited Lety Sabor Latino, 2211 Ninth St. W., multiple times in early May, they found roaches and closed the establishment. Lety Sabor Latino reopened on May 22 with about a dozen violations still cited. They range from basic to high priority, including “Raw animal food stored over cooked food” and “Employee handled soiled dishes or utensils and then handled clean dishes or utensils without washing hands.” Operators were given a time extension to fix the remaining violations.

▪  China Max, located inside the DeSoto Square mall at 303 U.S. 301 Blvd., was closed previously because of live roach activity. During a May 22 inspection, Florida inspectors did not cite the restaurant for roach activity. Four violations ranging from basic to intermediate level were recorded, but China Max “Met inspection standards,” according to the most recent report.

For more information about how the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation conducts restaurant inspections and how violations are categorized, visit myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/hr/inspections.html.

To search for restaurant information and related inspections, visit dine.bradenton.com.

This story was originally published May 30, 2017 at 11:27 AM with the headline "One food truck, one restaurant closed, cited for pest activity."