Five restaurants around Bradenton, AMI, Lakewood Ranch get poor health inspections

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, restaurants were cited for issues including lack of food safety training for staff and unsafe storage of raw meat and animal products.

Here is what inspectors found:

Migi Sushi Restaurant, 4420 S.R. 64, Bradenton

• An employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to work with food. An inspector advised on proper handwashing procedure. Corrective action was taken.

• Raw animal foods (chicken and beef) were not properly separated from one another in a holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Corrective action was taken.

• A cutting board was soiled. Corrective action was taken.

• Scrub pads were stored in an employee handwash sink. Corrective action.

• Floors were soiled under kitchen equipment and in a dry storage area.

• Food storage shelves were soiled in multiple holding units and in a dry storage area.

• Hood vents were soiled.

• Food items were stored on the floor in the kitchen, a dry storage area and in walk-in cooler and a walk-in freezer. Corrective action was taken.

• An exterior door had a gap at the threshold that opened to the outside.

• An employee was preparing sushi without a hair restraint. Corrective action was taken.

• An employee with facial hair was preparing food without a beard guard. Corrective action was taken.

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

Sharky’s Seagrill, 2519 Gulf Dr. N., Bradenton Beach

• Dishmachine sanitizer was not at the proper minimum strength. An inspector took a sanitizer reading of zero. The inspector advised discontinuing use of the machine until it could be repaired and setting up manual warewashing. A restaurant operator said they would set up manual dishwashing in a three-compartment sink.
• Items were blocking access to an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
• There was no test kit at hand to measure the strength of sanitizer in use for warewashing and/or wet wiping cloths.
• There was standing water in the bottom of a reach-in cooler.
• In-use tongs were stored on an equipment door handle between uses. Corrective action was taken.
• The restaurant’s current license was not displayed.
• There was an accumulation of mold-like substance in an ice bin at the bar.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Taste of China, 1783 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Bradenton

• Non-food-grade bags were in direct contact with food in a walk-in cooler and in a walk-in freezer. Corrective action was taken.
• Raw eggs were stored above sauce in a reach-in cooler; raw beef was stored over cooked chicken in a reach-in cooler; raw chicken was stored over sauce in a walk-in cooler; and raw beef was stored over crab rangoons in a walk-in freezer. Corrective action was taken.
• A container of medicine was stored next to to-go containers. Corrective action was taken.
• Walls throughout the kitchen were soiled.
• Hood filters and hoods were soiled with grease and food debris.
• Floors were soiled in between pieces of equipment.
• A cutting board had cut marks and was no longer cleanable.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Las Cazuelas Restaurant, 5700 5th St. #D, Bradenton

• Raw shell eggs were stored over cooked chicken. Corrective action was taken.
• There was no proof of required food safety training for any employees.
• No paper towels were provided at an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
• An open bin of flour and bottles of water were stored on the floor. Corrective action was taken.
• An employee was preparing food without a hair restraint. Corrective action was taken.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Days Inn, 644 67th St. Circle E., Bradenton

• There was no proof of food manager certification for a manager or person in charge.
• There was no proof of required food safety training for any employees.
• 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 at www.myfloridalicense.com.

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.