Dirty dining: Restaurants cited for unclean kitchens, no social distancing at the bar

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, restaurants were cited for issues that include lack of employee training and unclean equipment and surfaces.

One restaurant required a follow-up visit after an inspector observed a lack of social distancing at the bar in violation of COVID-19 emergency orders.

Here is what inspectors found.

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, 8913 U.S. 301 N., Parrish

• Sanitizer in use for warewashing exceeded the maximum concentration allowed. Corrective action was taken.
• An inspector observed a bar full of patrons (approximately 10 people) with no social distancing measures in place. A manager claimed that they were unaware that social distancing was required. The inspector educated the manager on proper social distancing procedures. The manager then asked patrons to move six feet apart from one another, and they complied.
• The floor of a walk-in freezer was soiled.
• Equipment, flooring and walls along the cook line were soiled.
• Buckets of celery were stored on the floor of a walk-in cooler.
• There was an accumulation of debris inside and outside of a warewashing machine.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Oh! Greek, 5475 Factory Shops Blvd., Ellenton (inside Ellenton Premium Outlets)

• A manager or person in charge lacked proof of food manager certification, and no other certified food service manager was employed at the location.

• There was no proof of required training for any employees.

• An inspector observed hummus and cooked potatoes with no date-markings.

• One or more cutting boards on the cook line were stained/soiled.

• There was standing water in the bottom of a reach-in cooler. An employee cleaned it.

• Cut lettuce was stored on the floor of a walk-in cooler and gyro and chicken were stored on the floor of a walk-in freezer. Corrective action was taken.

• There was a buildup of mold-like substance on the lip of an ice machine. An employee cleaned it.

• A follow-up inspection was required. The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit.

Hideko Sushi & Thai, 7646 Lockwood Ridge Road#4962, Sarasota

• An employee changed gloves without washing hands. An inspector advised staff on proper handwashing procedure. Corrective action was taken.
• Raw seafood was stored over unwashed produce. Corrective action was taken.
• A container was blocking access to an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
• Hot water was not provided at an employee handwash sink.
• The restaurant’s menus did not identify which items contained raw or undercooked animal foods.
• Menus did not include a written consumer advisory regarding raw and undercooked animal foods. Corrective action was taken.
• Unsealed plywood was used as shelving on the cook line.
• Walk-in cooler shelves were soiled.
• The floor of a walk-in cooler was soiled.
• A rice scoop was stored in standing water at less than 135 degrees. Corrective action was taken.
• Grease was accumulated under a fryer.
• An employee with no hair restraint was preparing food.
• Employee food was stored with food to be served to customers.
• Employee food was stored on a food preparation table on the cook line.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Frozen World, 5108 15th St. E. #402, Bradenton (inside Oneco Farmers Market)

• There was no proof of required training for any employees.
• An employee who had been working at the establishment for roughly a year did not yet have food handler certification, according to an inspector.
• Items were blocking access to an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
• An open container of milk was not date-marked. Corrective action was taken.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

R.J. Gator’s, 6100 Cortez Road W., Bradenton

• Shredded cheese, rice, cut lettuce and multiple quantities of cut tomatoes were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. Corrective action was taken.
• Proof of required training was not available for one employee.
• The exterior of a soda gun was soiled with slime/debris.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

McDonald’s, 6103 US.. 301 N., Ellenton

• Raw animal foods (raw chicken and uncooked fish) were not properly separated from one another in a reach-in cooler. Corrective action was taken.
• There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine. A restaurant operator cleaned the machine.
• There was an accumulation of food residue in multiple reach-in freezers. A restaurant operator cleaned them.
• There was soiling near dispensing nozzles of an iced coffee drink machine, according to an inspector.
• Multiple coolers in the kitchen did not have ambient air thermometers. Corrective action was taken.
• Ceiling vents throughout the kitchen were soiled.
• There was an accumulation of limescale inside of a dishmachine.
• 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 August 31, 2020 at 6:49 AM.