Rodent activity temporarily closes one Palmetto and one Myakka City restaurant

Florida’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants routinely inspects restaurants, food trucks and other food service establishments for public health and cleanliness issues. The reports are public information.

During the most recent inspections in Manatee County, two area restaurants were temporarily closed when rodent droppings were discovered on site.

Here is what inspectors found:

Myakka City Grill, 36810 Manatee Ave., Myakka City

• An inspector ordered that Myakka City Grill be temporarily closed on Jan. 5 after signs of rodent activity were observed on site.
• An inspector observed 20 rodent droppings throughout various areas of the restaurant, including in a dry storage area and by a reach-in freezer in a food prep area. A restaurant operator discarded the droppings and cleaned and sanitized the areas.
• Rodent nesting materials were present in a dry storage area under a bottom metal shelf and near an ice machine in a dry storage area. A restaurant operator discarded the materials and cleaned and sanitized the areas.
• Wiping cloth sanitizing solution exceeded the maximum concentration allowed. Corrective action was taken.
• A slicer was soiled with an accumulation of food debris.
• Required food safety training was expired for some employees.

• Well water testing reports and/or documentation were not available upon request.

• There was unsealed concrete flooring throughout the kitchen.

• To-go cups were stored on the floor.

• Ceiling tiles above the cook line were soiled with food debris and grease.

• There were holes in ceiling tiles above the cook line.

• The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit on Jan. 6 and was allowed to reopen.

Sea Hut Restaurant, 5611 U.S. 19, Palmetto

• An inspector ordered that Sea Hut Restaurant be temporarily closed on Jan. 5 after signs of rodent activity were observed on site.
• An inspector observed approximately 11 rodent droppings under a dishwasher, three droppings next to an HVAC unit and two droppings under dry storage shelves.
• Butter was cold held at a temperature greater than 41 degrees. Corrective action was taken.
• A can of paint was stored next to drink containers. Corrective action was taken.
• Walk-in cooler shelves were pitted with rust.
• There was a hole in a wall under a breading prep table and damage to a wall near a dressings table.
• Floors were not maintained in a smooth and durable manner throughout the kitchen.
• Floors under the cook line were soiled, and there was an accumulation of debris on the floor behind a service station console.
• There was standing water in a walk-in cooler.
• An exterior rear kitchen door had a gap at the threshold that opened to the outside.
• An exhaust/ventilation hood system was not designed to prevent grease or condensation from dripping onto food, clean equipment and utensils, according to an inspector.
• Ceiling tiles in the main kitchen were in disrepair.
• There was peeling paint in a walk-in cooler.
• There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine located in the rear of the kitchen.
• The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit on Jan. 6 and was allowed to reopen.

Editor’s Note: According to the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, these reports are a “snapshot” of the conditions present at the time of the inspection and are public record. The agency is required to inspect every licensed restaurant at least once per year, but new and “high-risk” establishments tend to be inspected more frequently.

When an emergency shutdown order is given by an inspector, it must first be reviewed and approved by agency supervisors. In order for a business to reopen, an inspector will continue visiting the establishment daily until compliance is met. Some citations may include a financial penalty. Inspectors may also respond to complaints, which can be filed here.

The Bradenton Herald’s weekly dirty dining reports list restaurants where inspectors found issues that might concern the average diner — such as unsafe food temperatures, employee hand-washing issues or moldy drink machines — regardless of whether or not the businesses passed inspection.