Dirty dining: Salt? Pepper? How about some beard hair? Restaurants risked getting it in food

During the most recent inspections of Manatee County, several restaurants were at risk for facial hair going into food.

Inspectors observed employees cooking and preparing food without wearing beard guards or restraints.

Other issues included unclean surfaces and equipment.

Here is what inspectors found.

Tortilla Bay, 5318 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach

• Multiple food contact surfaces were dirty, according to an inspector. Chip containers on the cook line were soiled on the lid and exterior. Sugar, rice and bean containers had soiling on the exterior and handles. A reach-in freezer had ice buildup with various food items in it.
• There was an encrusted material on a can opener blade. An employee cleaned it.
• At least one cutting board was stained/soiled.
• The floor of a walk-in cooler was soiled. Shelves were soiled and pitted with rust.
• A six-burner stove top was heavily soiled with food debris, an inspector said.
• The back wall of a stove was soiled with food debris.
• Interior doors of reach-in coolers on the cook line were soiled.
• A ventilation hood was soiled.
• An employee with no beard guard and/or restraint was preparing food.
• An employee drink, purse and keys were stored on a prep table. The items were relocated.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Ugly Grouper, 5704 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach

• Chemical sanitizer tablets were stored by glasses. A manager moved the tablets to a designated area.
• The business was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
• Multiple employees with no beard guard or restraint were preparing food. A manager distributed beard guards for the cooks.
• Boxes of soda syrup were stored on the floor of a dry storage area. A manager shelved them.
• There was standing water on the floor at the cook line.
• A scoop handle was touching corn meal. Corrective action was taken.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Duffy’s Tavern, 5808 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach

• Cut tomatoes and raw burger were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. The foods were iced down for rapid cooling.
• A handwash sink had been used as a dump sink. An inspector observed ice inside.
• An employee with no beard guard/restraint was preparing food.
• Vents in the women’s and men’s restrooms were dusty.
• 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 January 20, 2020 at 5:00 AM.