Dirty dining: Health inspectors find problems at two downtown Bradenton restaurants

During the most recent inspections of Manatee County restaurants, high priority issues included lack of employee handwashing and improper storage of raw meat. Two of the restaurants, Sage Biscuit Cafe and Theresa’s Restaurant, are in downtown Bradenton.

Two restaurants were cited for having unpleasant odors on site, an another was cited when vaping devices were found stored with dishes.

Here’s what inspectors saw.

Sage Biscuit Cafe, 1401 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

• An employee handled soiled dishes and then handled clean equipment without first washing hands. Corrective action was taken.
• An employee cracked raw shell eggs and then failed to wash hands. Corrective action was taken.
• Raw shrimp was stored with ready-to-eat cannoli in a reach-in freezer. The foods were reorganized.
• Reach-in cooler shelves were soiled with food debris.
• In-use knives were stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Corrective action was taken.
• An employee with no hair restraint was engaged in food preparation. The employee put on a hat.
  
  
• A cutting board had cut marks and was no longer cleanable.
• Coffee filters were stored unprotected from contamination.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Theresa’s Restaurant, 608 14th St. W., Bradenton

• An employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment without first washing hands. Corrective action was taken.
• Cut tomatoes and tuna were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. Corrective action was taken.
• Raw fish was stored with raw chicken in a reach-in freezer.
• There was standing water in the bottom of a reach-in cooler.
• Part of the ceiling was soiled.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Holly’s Quarter Cup Cafe, 5911 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton

• Vape pens were stored over dishes, according to an inspector.
• Dishmachine sanitizer was not at the proper minimum strength.
• Raw shell eggs were being held at an ambient temperature greater than 45 degrees.
• Wiping cloth sanitizing solution exceeded the maximum concentration allowed.
• The restaurant was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
• A manager dumped a sanitizer bucket into a handwash sink.
• There was an encrusted material on a can opener blade. An employee cleaned it.
• There was grease buildup on a wall at the cook line.
• Walk-in cooler shelves were pitted with rust and encrusted with food debris.
• Boxes of coffee were stored on the floor. They were relocated.
• There was an accumulation of debris on dish racks.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, 4406 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton

• An employee who was preparing food changed gloves without a proper handwash, according to an inspector. Corrective action was taken.
• An inspector observed three large cans of beans that were dented. The restaurant operator took the cans out of service.
• The establishment was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
• Wiping cloth sanitizing solution was not at the proper minimum strength. Corrective action was taken.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Island Scoops, 103B Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach

• A soda gun holster was soiled with accumulated slime/debris. An employee cleaned it.
• A soda gun was soiled. An employee cleaned it.
• A manager lacked proof of food manager certification and no other certified food manager was employed at the location.
• Proof of required training was not available for one employee.
• Water pressure was not sufficient at fixtures in the women’s restroom.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Habanero’s Mexican Grill and Bar, 5120 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

• Raw ground beef was stored under raw chicken. The beef was relocated.
• A handwash sink was used as a dump sink.
• A handwash sink in the men’s restroom was slow to drain.
• There was an objectionable odor in the men’s bathroom, according to an inspector.
• An exterior door had a gap at the threshold that opened to the outside.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Domino’s Pizza, 4507 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

• There was an objectionable odor near the dishwashing area, according to an inspector.
• Proof of required training was not available for one employee.
• 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 9, 2019 at 7:11 AM.