Dirty dining: Inspectors find rodent droppings, mold and more problems

Many restaurants in Manatee County have reopened for dine-in service, and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants has resumed routine inspections for public health and cleanliness issues.

During the most recent inspections of Manatee County, several restaurants were cited for problems that include rodent activity, unsafe food temperatures and moldy equipment.

Here is what inspectors found.

McDonald’s, 3631 Cortez Road W., Bradenton

• An inspector observed approximately six rodent droppings inside of a children’s playground. The playground was closed due to COVID-19. A restaurant operator discarded the droppings and sanitized the area.
• There were approximately five small holes in the ceiling above a water heater near a dry storage area.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Wicked Cantina, 101 Seventh St. N., Bradenton Beach

• All of the potentially hazardous foods in a walk-in cooler (beans, ground beef, raw beef and raw shrimp) were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees.
• An inspector observed two large cans of tomatoes that were dented.
• Sour cream, cut tomatoes and guacamole were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees on the cook line. Corrective action was taken.
• A reach-in cooler and walk-in cooler were in poor repair and not maintaining cool enough temperatures.
• A follow-up inspection was required. The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit.
  
  

Fast N Fresh, 8138 Lakewood Main St., Lakewood Ranch

• Turkey, chicken and ham were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. Corrective action was taken.
• There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
• There was an encrusted material on a can opener blade.
• Water at an employee handwash sink was not hot enough.
• The floor of a walk-in cooler was soiled.
• Walk in-cooler shelves were soiled with an accumulation of debris.
• The restaurant operator was not allowing customers to use the restroom due to COVID-19 concerns. An inspector educated the restaurant operator on required restroom availability for customers.
• An employee with no hair restraint was engaged in food preparation.
• A cutting board had cut marks and was no longer cleanable.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Texas Roadhouse, 5710 Ranch Lake Blvd., Bradenton

• A stop sale was issued for a large can of green beans that was dented.
• The interior of an ice machine bin was soiled.
• There were no written procedures available for use of time as a health control to monitor potentially hazardous food. An inspector educated a restaurant operator on proper procedure.
• Wiping cloths were stored in an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
• The floor of a walk-in cooler was soiled.
• Walk-in cooler shelves were soiled.
• Employee food was stored in a reach-in cooler used to store food to be served to customers. Corrective action was taken.
  
  
• A cutting board had cut marks and was no longer cleanable.
• Ceiling vents throughout the kitchen were 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.