Dirty dining: Rodent droppings shut down Bradenton sports bar and grill

During recent inspections of Manatee County restaurants, a bar and grill at a Bradenton tennis club was temporarily shut down when rodent droppings were found on site.

Other Bradenton-area restaurants were cited for employee handwashing issues and exposing single use items like to-go containers to potential contamination.

Here’s what inspectors found.

United Tennis Academy, 4511 Bay Club Drive, Bradenton

• An inspector ordered that the bar and grill at United Tennis Academy be temporarily closed on Nov. 7 after observing signs of rodent activity on site.
• An inspector observed approximately 21 rodent droppings throughout the establishment, including in a dish cabinet and in cabinets used to store alcohol.
• There was no proof of required training for one employee.
• There was a soil residue buildup at the bottom of a beer, wine and juice cooler at the front counter.
• The restaurant was allowed to reopen after a follow-up inspection on the same day. Another follow-up inspection was required.

Rosedale Golf & Country Club, 5100 87th St. E., Bradenton

• An employee was observed changing gloves without a handwash. An inspector educated the restaurant operator on proper handwashing procedure.
• An employee washed hands without soap.
• Sour cream was cold held at a temperature greater than 41 degrees. Corrective action was taken.
• There was an accumulation of encrusted food debris on or around a mixer head.
• A can opener blade was soiled.
• Steel wool was stored in an employee handwash sink.
• Foods that were prepared on site had no date labels. Corrective action was taken.
• A spray bottle containing a toxic substance was not labeled. It was relocated.
• Walk-in cooler shelves were soiled.
• To-go containers and utensils were stored unprotected from contamination.
• The interior of an ice machine was soiled.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Stonewood Grill & Tavern, 5415 University Parkway, University Park

• An employee was observed changing gloves without a handwash. Corrective action was taken.
• Batter and tuna were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. The foods were discarded.
• The interior of an ice machine was soiled.
• There was an accumulation of encrusted food debris on or around a mixer head.
• Wiping cloth sanitizing solution was not at the proper minimum strength. Corrective action was taken.
• To-go containers were stored unprotected from contamination. Corrective action was taken.
• There was rusting on the interior of an ice machine.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

S.O.B. Burgers, 5866 14th St. W., Bradenton

• Raw animal foods in a reach-in cooler were not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature.

• Diced cabbage was cold held at a temperature greater than 41 degrees.

• A dishwasher was observed handling soiled dishes or utensils and then handling clean dishes or utensils without first washing hands.

• Dishmachine sanitizer was not at the proper minimum strength. Corrective action was taken.

• An employee with no hair restraint was engaged in food preparation.

• 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.

This story was originally published November 18, 2019 at 5:00 AM.