Dirty dining: Rodent droppings found at Bradenton Beach cafe. Rat poison strewn throughout restaurant

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, a popular beach cafe on Anna Maria Island was cited for the presence of rodent droppings. The restaurant was also cited for improper use of rat poison.

Here is what inspectors found.

Coquina Beach Cafe, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach

• An inspector observed four rodent droppings behind a reach-in freezer next to an ice cream cold-holding unit.
• An inspector observed bright green balls that a restaurant operator identified as rat poison placed throughout the restaurant. The poison was not in enclosed containers, and it was not labeled for use in a food establishment. The balls were observed on the floor in a dry storage area, behind cook line equipment, behind an ice machine next to a walk-in cooler and behind a reach-in freezer next to an ice cream holding unit. A restaurant operator vacuumed up the poison.
• There was accumulated grease on the floor at a fry station on the cook line.
• Coffee filters were stored unprotected from contamination.
• A follow-up inspection was required.
• The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit the next day.

Jersey Mike’s Subs, 8210 Tourist Center Drive, University Park

• The establishment was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
• There were no written procedures for use of time as a public health control to monitor potentially hazardous foods.
• Soda machine nozzles were soiled.
• A fly-catching strip was installed over a preparation and handwashing area.
• Walk-in cooler shelves were rusted.
• Gaskets on one or more cold-holding units were soiled with slime/mold-like substance.
• Walls of a walk-in cooler soiled.
• A walk-in cooler fan cover was soiled.
• There was standing water on the floor in a warewashing area.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Paris Bistrot, 8131 Lakewood Main St., Lakewood Ranch

• Quiche, creamer, butter and milk were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. A stop sale was issued for the items due to temperature abuse.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Steak ‘n Shake, 106 Cortez Road W., Bradenton

• Ice cream mix was cold held at a temperature greater than 41 degrees in an ice cream machine near the drive-thru window. A restaurant operator confirmed that the mixture had been held in the machine overnight. A stop sale was issued due to temperature abuse, and the ice cream mix was discarded.
• Reach-in cooler shelves were pitted with rust.
• The interior of a microwave was soiled with encrusted food debris. A restaurant operator cleaned it.
• Ceiling vents were heavily soiled, according to an inspector.
• 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 December 16, 2020 at 5:00 AM.