Dirty dining: Moldy ice machines, bare hands on food and other issues at area restaurants

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 in Manatee County, several restaurants were cited for unclean surfaces and equipment in cooking areas.

Other violations included mold growth inside of ice machines and bare hand contact with food.

Here is what inspectors found.

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, 2515 University Parkway #101, Sarasota

• An employee was observed scooping tortilla chips with bare hands.
• Raw shrimp was stored over raw chicken in a drawer cooler with no barrier in between.
• Dishmachine sanitizer was not at the proper minimum strength. An inspector advised setting up manual warewashing until the machine was working properly.
• The interior of an ice machine was soiled with mold-like substance.

• No currently certified food service manager was on duty while four or more employees were handling and/or preparing food.

• There was no proof of required training for an employee hired more than 60 days prior.

• Employee training documents did not contain all of the required information.

• An inspector observed multiple items in a walk-in cooler that were not date-marked.

• A wiping cloth in use for cleaning spills was soiled.

• Walk-in cooler shelves were soiled.

• A handwash sink behind the bar was not connected to the wall.

• There was an accumulation of grease on the floor under a fryer and an oven.

• Feta cheese was stored on the floor of a walk-in cooler.

• The floor of a walk-in cooler was soiled.

• Employee personal items were stored near a food preparation area.

• An employee drink was stored near food containers.

• Vents throughout the kitchen were soiled.

• There was an accumulation of debris inside of a warewashing machine.

• A follow-up inspection was required.

Applebee’s Grill & Bar, 3255 University Parkway, Sarasota

• The interior of an ice machine was soiled with mold-like substance.
• Cutting boards on the cook line were soiled, according to an inspector.
• No soap was provided at a handwash sink at the bar.
• An open employee drink was stored in a reach-in cooler with food for customers.
• Multiple microwaves on the cook line were soiled inside.
• Utensils were stored in standing water on the cook line.
• There was an accumulation of grease under fryers on the cook line.
• Kitchen ceiling vents were dirty and rusty.
• There was an accumulation of debris inside of a warewashing machine.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

China King, 6816 14th St. W., Bradenton

• An employee rubbed hands together for less than the required 10-15 seconds while washing hands.
• An employee washed hands with cold water.
• Raw animal foods, (chicken, beef and scallops) were not properly separated from one another based upon required minimum cooking temperature. Corrective action was taken.
• There was no probe thermometer at hand to measure the temperature of food products.
• Cooked pork and fried chicken that were being held for future use were not properly date-marked.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Sonic Drive-In, 3704 84th Ave. Circle E., Sarasota

• Cut lettuce, cut tomatoes and cheese were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. A stop sale was issued due to temperature abuse.
• The interior of an ice machine was soiled with mold-like substance.
• Bins of food were not labeled. Corrective action was taken.
• An employee drink and purse were stored on food preparation areas. Corrective action was taken.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, 1795 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Bradenton

• Cream sauce, marinara and au jus were hot held at temperatures less than 135 degrees. The items were discarded.
• There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
• A wiping cloth was stored in an employee handwash sink.
• A soda gun was soiled.
• Multiple cases of food were stored on the floor of a walk-in freezer.
• An employee beverage was stored on a food preparation table. Corrective action was taken.
• There was an accumulation of debris inside a warewashing machine.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Panera Bread, 6351 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

• Dishmachine sanitizer was not at the proper minimum strength. An inspector advised setting up manual warewashing until the machine was working properly.

• An inspector found expired milk on site. A stop sale was issued and the milk was discarded.
• A box of soup was stored on the floor of a walk-in freezer. Corrective action was taken.
• The floor of a walk-in freezer was soiled.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Sushi & Pho, 3118 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton

• Raw meat, precooked meatballs and ready-to-eat vegetables were stored together in a reach-in freezer. Corrective action was taken.
• Raw salmon, smoked salmon, escolar, imitation crab, cream cheese, tilapia and egg omelette were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. Corrective action was taken.
  
  
• Wiping cloth sanitizing solution exceeded the maximum concentration allowed. Corrective action was taken.
• Open milk was not properly date-marked. Corrective action was taken.
• Menus advertised crab in several sushi rolls, but the restaurant actually served imitation crab.
• Required training was expired for one employee.
• Cutting boards had cut marks and were no longer cleanable.
• Clean utensils were stored unprotected from contamination.
• A follow-up inspection was required. The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit.

Maple Street Biscuit Company, 8491 Cooper Creek Blvd # 107, University Park

• An inspector observed multiple employee handwashing errors. An employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled clean utensils without first washing hands. In another instance, an employee put on new gloves without first washing hands. The inspector advised on proper handwashing procedure. Corrective action was taken.
• There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
• Proof of required training was not available for some employees.
• There was an accumulation of debris inside of a convection oven.
• Cases of food were stored on the floor of a walk-in freezer.
• A cutting board had cut marks and was no longer cleanable.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Honey Tree Cafe, 8315 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota

• An inspector observed a large can of sauerkraut that was dented. The can was discarded.
• An employee cracked raw eggs and then failed to wash hands before handling food or clean equipment/utensils. Corrective action was taken.
  
  
• An employee changed gloves without washing hands. Corrective action was taken.
• A gasoline can was stored in a food storage area. Corrective action was taken.
• The interior of an ice machine was soiled with mold-like substance.
• There was an accumulation of encrusted food debris on/around a mixer head.
• Bins of sugar were not labeled. Corrective action was taken.
• Walk-in cooler shelves were pitted with rust.
• Wet wiping cloths were not stored in sanitizing solution in between uses. Corrective action was taken.
• Food was stored on the floor in a food preparation area and in a walk-in cooler.
• An employee drink was stored on a food preparation table. Corrective action was taken.
• There was an accumulation of debris inside of a warewashing 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.