5 restaurants in Bradenton, Sarasota, Anna Maria Island cited for food safety issues

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, several restaurants were cited for potentially hazardous foods held at unsafe temperatures.

Other issues at restaurants around Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch included live roaches on site and flies in food.

Here is what inspectors found:

The Porch Restaurant, 9707 Gulf Dr., Anna Maria

• Feta cheese, hard-boiled eggs and cut tomatoes were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees in a counter cooler. The items had been held overnight. A stop sale was issued due to temperature abuse, and a restaurant operator discarded them.
• A pitcher and a glass were stored in a handwashing sink. Corrective action was taken.
• No paper towels were provided at two employee handwash sinks. Corrective action was taken.
• A soda gun at the bar was soiled.
• Hood vents and a wall were soiled with grease.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

A&G Caribbean BBQ, 8471 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota (food truck)

• Pesticide that was not labeled for use in a food establishment was present.
• Potato salad was cold held at a temperature greater than 41 degrees. A stop sale was issued due to temperature abuse. Corrective action was taken. The food was discarded.
• A sauce cup display was blocking access to an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
• A manager or person in charge lacked proof of food manager certification.

• Beef and chicken empanadas that had been prepared on site and held for future use were not properly date-marked.

• Employee food safety training records did not contain all of the required information.

• Hot water was not provided at an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken. A restaurant operator turned on the hot water.

• The business’ license number was not properly displayed on the vehicle.

• A follow-up inspection was required.

Bourbon and Bones Chophouse, 8205 Natures Way #119, Lakewood Ranch

• During a follow-up visit for previous violations, the restaurant’s menu was still not updated to reflect that one of the menu items contained raw egg. A restaurant operator stated that the new menus were in final review and would be on site by the following week.
• Another follow-up inspection was required.

The Breakfast Company, 7246 55th Ave. E., Bradenton

• An employee failed to wash hands during a glove change. An inspector advised on proper handwashing procedure. Corrective action was taken.

• An employee who had been handling dirty dishes failed to wash hands before going to work with clean dishes. An inspector advised on proper handwashing procedure. Corrective action was taken.

• An inspector observed a dented can of tomato sauce. Corrective action was taken. The can was removed from service.
• Multiple food items were stored on the floor in a walk-in cooler and in the main kitchen. Corrective action was taken.
  
  
• Two food employees were not wearing hair restraints. Corrective action was taken.
• An employee beverage was stored on the cook line. Corrective action was taken.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Lazy Lobster, 7602 N. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota

• Dishmachine sanitizer was not at the proper minimum strength. An inspector took a sanitizer reading of zero. Corrective action was taken.
• Raw tuna was stored over ready-to-eat sauce. Corrective action was taken.
• A box of croutons was stored on the floor.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

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.