Dirty dining: Unsafe food temperatures and more issues at Bradenton 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, restaurants were cited for issues that include unsafe food temperatures and unclean equipment.

Here is what inspectors found.

Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach

• Large quantities of food were held at unsafe temperatures in a walk-in cooler. An inspector observed 15 pounds of cut tomatoes, four pounds of chicken salad, five pounds of tuna salad, five pounds of taco meat, five pounds of cooked chicken, 43 pounds of deli meat, five pounds of cut melon and eight pounds of pico de gallo cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. A stop sale was issued for the items due to temperature abuse. A restaurant operator placed a call to have the unit serviced.
  
  
• There was an encrusted material on a can opener blade.
• There was no ceiling, only rafters, in an area where ice cream was stored.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

The Waffle Press, 425 Pine Ave., Anna Maria

• Raw shell eggs were held at an ambient air temperature greater than 45 degrees. Corrective action was taken.
• Dough that contained yeast and eggs was held at room temperature and measured at 84 degrees. An inspector educated a restaurant operator on proper food holding procedures.
• The establishment was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
• There was no proof of required training for an employee hired more than 60 days prior.
• A follow-up inspection was required. The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit.

Mellie’s New York Deli & Eatery, 4650 S.R. 64 E., Bradenton

• Raw shell eggs were stored over ready-to-eat meatballs and olives in a reach-in cooler. Corrective action was taken.
• An inspector observed meatballs with a date-marking of more than a week old. A restaurant operator stated that the label was old and added the correct date that the food was prepared.
• Cream cheese and butter were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. Corrective action was taken.
• A cutting board on the cook line was stained/soiled.
• There was no test kit at hand to measure the strength of sanitizer in use for warewashing.
• There was no proof of required training for an employee hired more than 60 days prior.
• The ceiling was in disrepair in multiple places.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Scott’s Deli, 5350 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach

• A food manager’s certification was expired.
• There was no other certified food manager employed at the location.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Gianni’s New York Pizza, 4925 S.R. 64 E., Bradenton

• Fresh garlic in oil and shredded mozzarella were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. Corrective action was taken.

• There was no test kit at hand to measure the strength of sanitizer in use for warewashing.

• There were no written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold pizza by the slice. Corrective action was taken.

• There was an encrusted material on a can opener blade. Corrective action was taken.

• An employee beverage was stored on a food preparation area or near clean utensils. Corrective action was taken.

• 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 September 16, 2020 at 5:00 AM.