Dirty dining: Mold, raw meat over food 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 moldy and dirty equipment, employee handwashing issues and and raw meat that was improperly stored over other foods.

Here is what inspectors found.

Poppo’s Taqueria, 8471 Cooper Creek Blvd., Bradenton

• Dishmachine sanitizer was not at the proper minimum strength.
• A food case was blocking access to an employee handwash sink.
• A restaurant operator was unable to provide proper proof of training for employees.
• Walk-in cooler shelves were pitted with rust.
• Reach-in cooler shelves were rusted.
• Floor surfaces in a food preparation area and in a walk-in cooler were unsealed concrete, according to an inspector.
• An employee was preparing food without a hair restraint.
• There was an accumulation of debris inside of a warewashing machine.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Newk’s Eatery, 5405 University Parkway #110, Bradenton

• Dishmachine sanitizer was not at the proper minimum strength. An inspector advised that dishes should be sanitized manually until the dishmachine was working properly.
• Deli meat, salmon and cheese was cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees in a reach in-cooler. A stop sale was issued for the items.
• The interior of an ice machine was soiled.
• There was an encrusted material on a can opener blade.
• A slicer blade was soiled with old food debris.
• Walk-in cooler shelves were soiled.
• Dish racks were soiled, according to an inspector, and they were not smooth or easily cleanable.
• There was no handwashing sign at an employee handwash sink in a food preparation area. Corrective action was taken.
• The floor of a walk-in freezer was soiled.
• Hood filters in a food preparation area were soiled.
• There was an accumulation of debris inside of a warewashing machine.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Honey Tree Cafe, 8315 Lockwood Ridge Rd., Sarasota

• Unpackaged beef was stored over raw potatoes in a freezer. Corrective action was taken.
• Toxic substances (paint and chemicals) were stored in a dishwashing area.
• There was an encrusted material on a can opener blade.
• Sugar bins in a food preparation area were not labeled. Corrective action was taken.
• Multiple food items in a walk-in cooler were not date-marked. Corrective action was taken.
• A wet wiping cloth was not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Corrective action was taken.
• Walk-in cooler shelves were pitted with rust.
• Reach-in cooler shelves were pitted with rust.
• There was a heavy accumulation of debris in a convection oven.
• An employee with no hair restraint was preparing food on the cook line. Corrective action was taken.
• An employee drink was stored on a food preparation table. Corrective action was taken.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Little Greek Fresh Grill, 8310 Market St., Lakewood Ranch

• An inspector observed an employee wash hands with cold water only.
• There was an encrusted material on a can opener blade.
• An employee handwash sink was blocked by a garbage can.
• Proof of required training was not available for some employees.
• Multiple food items in a walk-in cooler were not date-marked.
• A wall-mounted french fry press was soiled with old food debris. Corrective action was taken.
• The wall behind the cook line was soiled with debris.
• The surface of a walk-in cooler floor was unsealed concrete.
• There was accumulated grease below a stove and a fryer.
• There was a buildup of grease on the hood system over the cook line, according to an inspector.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Sonny’s BBQ, 631 67th St. Circle E., Bradenton

• There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
• Raw pork ribs were thawing in still water. An inspector advised on proper procedure. A restaurant operator turned on cold running water.
• An ice scoop handle was in contact with ice at a drive-thru window. Corrective action was taken.
• Ceiling vents above a preparation table were soiled.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Checkers, 8357 N. Lockwood Ridge Rd., Sarasota

• Unsealed bags of raw chicken were stored over french fries in a reach-in freezer. Corrective action was taken.
• The wall and ceiling above a three-compartment sink and a handwash sink were soiled.
• A reach-in cooler on the cook line had no ambient air temperature thermometer.
• The floor of a walk-in cooler was soiled.
• Hood filters at fryer and flat top stations were soiled.
• The restauraent 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.