8 Bradenton and Sarasota restaurants cited for major food health violations

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 restaurants were cited when signs of rodent activity were observed on-site.

Other issues at restaurants around Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota included employee handwashing errors and improper storage of raw meat and eggs.

Here is what inspectors found:

Jo-To Japanese Steak House, 7971 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

• An inspector observed nine rodent droppings near the cook line at the front of the kitchen.

• Three rodent bait traps were exposed and not covered or stored in a tamper-resistant bait station.

• Dishmachine sanitizer was not at the proper minimum strength. Corrective action was taken. A service call was placed for the machine, and a restaurant operator set up manual sanitization in the interim.
• Raw fish was stored in the same container as ready-to-eat “krab sticks” in a reach-in cooler at the sushi bar. Corrective action was taken.
• The restaurant was not maintaining the proper records of parasite destruction for certain fish products.
• A food manager’s certification was expired.

• No currently certified food service manager was on duty while four or more employees were engaged in food preparation/handling.

• There was no proof of required food safety training for any employees.

• A tray of eggs was blocking access to an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
• A sushi menu did not identify which items contained raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer health advisory.

• Multiple food items in a walk-in freezer, walk-in cooler and a reach-in freezer were not properly date-marked.

• There were holes and gaps in ceiling tiles throughout the establishment.

• A follow-up inspection was required.

Applebee’s Grill + Bar, 3255 University Parkway, Sarasota

• An inspector observed 47 rodent droppings in a storage shed outside of the establishment. Single service gloves were being stored in the shed. A restaurant operator removed the gloves.
• There was standing water on the floor in a bar area.
• A follow-up inspection was required. The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit three days later.

Takos Cantina, 5770 Ranch Lake Blvd. #116, Bradenton

• An inspector observed eight rodent droppings in a dry storage area in the vicinity of the cook line. Corrective action was taken. An employee cleaned up the droppings and cleaned and sanitized the area.
• 45 pounds of housemade salsa and 15 pounds of housemade queso were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees in a walk-in cooler. A stop sale was issued due to temperature abuse, and the items were removed to be discarded.
• Raw shell eggs were stored over ready-to-eat salsa. Corrective action was taken.
• A can of tomato paste was dented at the seam. Corrective action was taken. The can was removed from service.

• Cold and flu medicine was stored above a tea and coffee brewing machine. Corrective action was taken.

• Access to an employee handwash sink was blocked. Corrective action was taken.

• Hot water at least 100 degrees was not provided at an employee handwash sink.

• Walk-in cooler shelves were soiled.

• There was standing water in the bottom of a reach-in cooler. Corrective action was taken.

• A container of chips was stored on the floor. Corrective action was taken.

• There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.

Honey Tree Cafe, 8315 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota

• An inspector observed an employee on the cook line crack raw shell eggs and then fail to change gloves/wash hands before handling clean dishes.The inspector advised on proper handwashing procedure. Corrective action was taken.

• An inspector observed an employee use the phone and then fail to wash hands before handling clean dishes. The inspector advised on proper handwashing procedure.

• Wiping cloth sanitizing solution was not at the proper minimum strength. Corrective action was taken.

• Shelves under a prep table and walk-in cooler shelves were soiled with an accumulation of debris.

• An employee was preparing food without a hair restraint.

• Employee drinks were stored in food prep areas.

• A follow-up inspection was required.

Poblanos Mexican Grill & Bar, 5779 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton

• Dishmachine sanitizer was not at the proper minimum strength. An inspector took a sanitizer reading of zero. Corrective action was taken.

• An inspector observed a dishwasher go from working with soiled dishes to clean dishes without first changing gloves/washing hands. The inspector advised on proper handwashing procedure. Corrective action was taken.

• Raw animal foods (chicken, shrimp and ground beef) not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Corrective action was taken.

• Cooked ribs, cooked spinach and tomato sauce in a walk-in cooler were date-marked as more than a week old. A stop sale was issued. Corrective action was taken. A manager discarded the items.

• Chicken, beef, rice and pork that were being reheated had not reached 165 degrees for at least 15 seconds within two hours. A stop sale was issued for the items due to temperature abuse, and they were discarded.

• There was an accumulation of limescale inside of a dishmachine.

• There was an accumulation of debris inside of a warewashing machine.

• A follow-up inspection was required. The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit the next day.

The Farm House, 902 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton

• An inspector observed an employee changing gloves without washing hands. Corrective action was taken.

• An employee rubbed hands together for less than the required 10-15 seconds while washing hands. Corrective action was taken.

• Raw shell eggs were stored above ready-to-eat food. Corrective action was taken.

• A manager or person in charge lacked proof of food manager certification.

• There was no proof of required food safety training for any employees.

• A follow-up inspection was required.

Keke’s Breakfast Cafe, 5405 University Parkway, #104, University Park

• An inspector observed multiple employees touch English muffins that were being plated to go out to customers with bare hands. A restaurant operator educated the new employees on proper food handling procedures. Corrective action was taken.

• Diced tomatoes and cut tomatoes were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees in a cooler. Corrective action was taken. The food was discarded.

• Employee drinks were stored in restricted areas.

• A follow-up inspection was required.

Mission BBQ, 5231 University Parkway #109, Sarasota

• A can of cheese sauce and a can of sliced peaches were dented at the seams. Corrective action was taken. The cans were removed from service.
• There was no proof of required food safety training for an employees.
• An ice scoop handle was in contact with ice. Corrective action was taken.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

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.