Dirty dining: Roaches, mold and more problems at Bradenton-area restaurants

According to the latest inspections of Manatee County, several restaurants were cited for having mold-like substances in or on equipment.

Other Bradenton-area restaurants had issues including unsafe food temperatures and employees who didn’t wash hands. One business had roach activity on site.

Here’s what inspectors found.

Clancy’s Irish Sports Pub and Grill, 6218 Cortez Road W., Bradenton

• An inspector observed one live roach near the back door of the kitchen.
• Raw chicken was stored over salad dressing in a reach-in cooler. The chicken was relocated.
• There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
• A soda gun at the inside bar was soiled.
• Food was stored on the floor in a dry-storage area.
• A back kitchen door had a gap at the threshold that opened to the outside.
• Ceiling vents were soiled throughout the kitchen area, according to an inspector.

• A follow-up inspection was required.

Mami Carmen’s Restaurant, 5604 15th St. E., Bradenton

• An employee was observed washing hands with cold water only. Corrective action was taken.
• There was an accumulation of black mold-like substance in an ice bin.
• Shellfish tags were not marked with the last date the food was served.
• Items were stored inside an employee handwash sink, preventing access.
• No currently certified food manager was no duty while four or more employees were engaged in food preparation or handling.
• There was no proof of required training for two employees hired more than 60 days prior.
• Reach-in cooler shelves were soiled with debris.
• A wet wiping cloth was not stored in sanitizing solution in between uses.
• An employee with no hair restraint was engaged in food preparation.

• A follow-up inspection was required.

The Loaded Barrel Tavern, 450 12th St. W., Bradenton

• Mozzarella cheese, sausage, chicken and pizza sauce at a pizza make table were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. A stop sale was issued.
• No handwashing sign was provided at a sink used by food employees. A sign was printed out.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Robin’s Downtown Cafe, 428 12th St. W., Bradenton

• A manager cracked raw eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food without first washing hands. An inspector instructed the manager to wash hands after cracking raw eggs, and the manager washed hands.
• Raw shell eggs stored at room temperature on a shelf had no time stamp, and the time removed from temperature control could not be determined. A manager assessed a time stamp.
• There was an encrusted material on a can opener blade.
• A spray bottle containing a toxic substance was not labeled. Corrective action was taken.
• A wall behind metal shelving on the cook line was soiled.
• A cutting board had cut marks and was no longer cleanable.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Popi’s Place, 10508 U.S. 41, Palmetto

• A cook failed to wash hands or change gloves after cracking raw eggs. An inspector educated the employee on proper procedure. Corrective action was taken.
• Raw fish was stored over cooked onions and waffle mix in a reach-in cooler.
• Raw pork sausage was cold held at a temperature greater than 41 degrees. The food was placed in a pan in an ice bin.
• Wiping cloth sanitizing solution was not at the proper minimum strength. Corrective action was taken.
• Frozen chicken was thawing in standing water. A restaurant operator moved it under running water.
• No handwashing sign was provided at a sink used by food employees. Corrective action was taken.
• An employee with no hair restraint was engaged in food preparation. Corrective action was taken.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Boiler Room Bar & Grill, 5600 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

• An employee handled money and then put on gloves to cook without first washing hands, according to an inspector. Corrective action was taken, and the employee was educated on proper procedure.
• There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior and at the lip of an ice machine.
  
  
• A handwash sink was missing at a cook station at the bar.
• Proof of required training was unavailable for one employee.
• There was no soap at a soap dispenser. An employee filled it.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Waterlefe Golf & River Club, 1022 Fish Hook Cove, Bradenton

• An employee changed gloves without washing hands. An inspector educated the restaurant operator regarding proper procedure.
• Cheese, tuna salad, chicken salad, beef, cut tomatoes and cold sale were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. A stop sale was issued for the foods.
• Wiping cloth sanitizing solution exceeded the maximum concentration allowed. Corrective action was taken.
• An inspector observed a green mold-like substance around soda dispensing nozzles.
• There was an encrusted material on a can opener blade.
• Plastic lids were stored in an employee handwash sink.
• A wet wiping cloth was not stored in sanitizing solution in between uses.
• The interior of a microwave was encrusted with food debris.
• Gaskets throughout the kitchen and bar area had a slimy/mold-like buildup.
• An employee with no hair restraint was engaged in food preparation.
• Cases of food were stored on the floor in a walk-in cooler and in a walk-in freezer.
• An employee handwash sink in the kitchen area was soiled.
• 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.

This story was originally published December 4, 2019 at 5:00 AM.