Dirty dining: Health inspector found roaches at a Bradenton pizza place. A taco truck had flies

During the most recent inspections of Manatee County, a pizza-maker in the food court at Ellenton Premium Outlets had live roaches, and one dead roach, on site. A taco truck in Bradenton had flying insects inside.

Other area restaurants were cited for issues including unsafe food temperatures and improperly using handwash sinks.

Here is what inspectors found.

The Taco King (food truck), 491 Cortez Road W., Bradenton

• An inspector observed three live, flying insects inside of the food truck.
• Cut tomatoes, cut lettuce and shredded cheese were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. The foods were iced down.
• The establishment was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
• Reach-in cooler shelves were pitted with rust.
• An employee with no hair restraint was making food.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Villa Pizza, 5461 Factory Shops Blvd., Ellenton (Ellenton Premium Outlets)

• An inspector observed two live roaches by a mop sink.
• An inspector observed one roach near a three-compartment sink.
• A spray bottle containing a toxic substance was stored on shelving with food. Corrective action was taken.
• There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
• There was no copy of the establishment’s latest inspection report available.
• In-use tongs were stored on an equipment door handle in between uses. Corrective action was taken.
• A follow-up inspection was required. The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit.

Little Greek Fresh Grill, 8310 Market St., Lakewood Ranch

• Chicken soup, rice, stuffed cabbage, dairy sauce, chicken, butter and garlic in oil were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. The foods had been held overnight. A stop sale was issued.
• The interior of a reach-in cooler on the cook line was soiled.
• There was an accumulation of grease underneath a stove.
• Walk-in cooler floors were soiled.
• Employee drinks were kept on a food preparation table. A restaurant operator removed them.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Camacho’s Best Tacos, 1714 14th St. W., Bradenton

• An employee was touching chilies that were on a grill bare handed, according to an inspector. The employee was instructed to wear gloves or use utensils. The employee washed hands and put on gloves.
• There was no proof of required training for any employees.
• No soap was provided at a handwash sink on the cook line.
• Non-food-grade bags were in direct contact with food.
• Bags of onions and a box of vegetables were stored on the floor. The items were shelved.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex, 5309 29th St. E., Ellenton

• Open salsa stored in a reach-in cooler was not properly date-marked.
• A manager lacked proof of food manager certification.
• There was no probe thermometer at hand to measure the temperature of food products.
• There was no test kit at hand to measure the strength of sanitizer in use for warewashing.
• A water treatment device was overdue to be serviced.
• No handwashing sign was provided at a sink used by food employees.
• An ice scoop handle was in contact with ice. Corrective action was taken.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Pig Out Cortez BBQ & Smoke House, 12012 Cortez Road W., Bradenton

• DIshmachine sanitizer was not at the proper minimum strength.
• The establishment was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
• A cutting board had cut marks and was no longer cleanable.
• Boxes of meat were stored on the floor in a meat cooler.
• 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 February 17, 2020 at 5:00 AM.