Dirty dining: Inspector finds dozens of dead roaches at Bradenton restaurant

During the most recent inspections of Manatee County, a Bradenton restaurant was cited for having dozens of dead roaches on site.

Issues at other restaurants included rotten produce and improperly stored chemicals.

Here is what inspectors found.

Golden Wok, 3545 First St., Bradenton

• An inspector observed approximately 75 dead roaches along a wall in a warewashing area and near the back of a reach-in freezer. Eight more dead roaches were observed in various areas including on the cook line and in the kitchen, and two dead roaches were stuck to a reach-in freezer.
• A non-food-grade box was used to store cut broccoli on the cook line.
• Pork was cold held at a temperature greater than 41 degrees. Corrective action was taken.
• Raw chicken was stored over raw shell eggs in a walk-in cooler.
• Soup was left at room temperature to cool. A restaurant operator returned the soup to a cook for reheating.
• Egg rolls and cooked chicken that were prepared on site and held for future use were not properly date-marked.
• Chicken being thawed under running water reached temperatures greater than 41 degrees for an extended period of time.
• No handwashing sign was posted at an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
• Grease and food debris were accumulated on the kitchen floor and/or under cooking equipment.
• Food was stored uncovered in a holding unit.
• An exterior door had a gap at the threshold that opened to the outside.
• An employee phone and drink were stored on the cook line.
• A cutting board had cut marks and was no longer cleanable.
  
  
• Food was stored on the floor of a walk-in cooler.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

IHOP, 5427 14th St. W., Bradenton

• An inspector observed four rotten lemons inside of a box in a walk-in cooler. A stop sale was issued due to adulteration of the food product. The lemons were discarded.
• A restaurant operator did not have knowledge of the “Big Five” foodborne illnesses or a poster that outlined them, according to an inspector. The inspector educated the restaurant operator and provided a print-out.
• Two open gallons of milk were not date-marked. Corrective action was taken.
• A handwash sink in the men’s restroom did not have enough water pressure to properly wash hands.
• Both the walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer did not properly seal, according to an inspector.
• An inspector observed mold in the cracks of a handwashing sink.
• There was an accumulation of debris inside of a warewashing machine.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Buffalo Wild Wings, 5235 University Parkway, University Park

• Pesticide was stored on a rack with to-go containers. The pesticide was removed.
• A walk-in cooler was soiled.
• Food containers throughout the kitchen were in poor condition, according to an inspector.
• There was an accumulation of debris on the interior of a convection oven.
• An employee phone was in use on the cook line. An inspector educated a restaurant operator on proper procedure.
• An employee drink was stored on a food preparation table on the cook line. The drink was removed.
• Ceiling vents throughout the kitchen were soiled.
• Ventilation hood filters were soiled.
• There was a buildup of limescale inside of a dishmachine.
• There was an accumulation of debris on the exterior of a warehousing machine.
• 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.