Dirty dining: Unsafe food temperatures, food on the floor and more issues at area restaurants

Florida’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants routinely inspects restaurants 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 food items stored on the floor.

Several Bradenton-area restaurants were cited for operating with expired licenses.

Here is what inspectors found.

The Granary, 2547 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch

• Chowder, cooked sausage and tomato soup were cold-held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. A stop sale was issued for the food items due to temperature abuse.
• There was encrusted material on a can opener blade.
• A wet wiping cloth was not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Corrective action was taken.
• There was a buildup of grease on ventilation hood filters.
• A follow-up inspection was required. The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit.

Nancy’s Bar-B-Q, 14475 S.R. 70 E, Lakewood Ranch

• An inspector observed two large cans of garbanzo beans that were rusted. A restaurant operator discarded the cans.
• The business was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
• At handwash sink at the end of a bar was used being used as a dump sink, according to an inspector. Corrective action was taken.
• Multiple reach-in coolers did not have ambient air thermometers.
• There was an accumulation of debris in a convection oven.
• Multiple food items were stored on the floor in a dry storage area and in a walk-in freezer. Corrective action was taken.
• Multiple cutting boards had cut marks and were no longer cleanable.
• There was an accumulation of debris on the outside of a warewashing machine.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

The Spot Tacos and More, 2303 First St., Bradenton

• The restaurant was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
• An open package of mozzarella cheese was not properly date-marked. Corrective action was taken.
• A manager lacked proof of food manager certification.
• There was no certified food manager for the establishment.
• There was no proof of required training for an employee hired more than 60 days prior.
• There was no test kit available to measure the strength of sanitizer used to wash dishes.
• An ambient air temperature thermometer in the restaurant was not accurate. Corrective action was taken.
• No handwashing signs were posted at handwash sinks in employee restrooms. Corrective action was taken.
• There was no visible ambient air temperature thermometer in a refrigerator.
• Containers of oil and a container of raw pork were stored on the floor in a back kitchen area. Corrective action was taken.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Zenobia Mediterranean & Kebab Grill, 1857 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Bradenton

• The business was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
• An inspector observed a pesticide that was not intended for use in a food establishment.
• There were no paper towels provided at an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
• A shelf under a food preparation table was soiled with food debris and pitted with rust.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Cafe Amalfi, 6703 14th St. W., Bradenton

• Dish-machine sanitizer was not at the proper minimum strength. Corrective action was taken.
• 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.
• Cooked meatballs, sausage and pizza sauce in a reach-in cooler were not properly date-marked. Corrective action was taken.
• Flour was stored uncovered in a prep area.
• In-use tongs were stored on an oven door handles between uses.
• An employee cellphone was stored in a food prep area. Corrective action was taken.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

I Scream For Ice Cream, 1707 First St., Bradenton (Red Barn Flea Market)

• The business was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
• Reach-in cooler shelves were pitted with rust.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Come Back Girl, 6916 14th St. W., Bradenton (mobile food dispensing vehicle)

• During a follow-up visit, an inspector again found that a manager did not have proof of food manager certification.
• Another follow-up inspection was required.

Chang Kao Thai Cuisine, 6233 14th St. W., Bradenton

• The business was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
• Fresh garlic in oil was being held at room temperature. Corrective action was taken.
• Bowls were blocking access to an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
• The screen on a back kitchen door was torn.
• An in-use rice scoop was stored in standing water at less than 135 degrees. Corrective action was taken.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Michelangelo Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant, 2957 University Parkway, Sarasota

• The business was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
• Hot water was not provided at an employee handwash sink.
• Multiple food items in a walk-in cooler were not date-marked.
• Walk-in cooler shelves were soiled with encrusted food debris.
• Walk-in cooler gaskets were soiled with mold-like substance.
• There was exposed insulation on the door of a walk-in cooler.
• The exterior of a reach-in cooler was soiled.
• The ceiling was in disrepair over a dishwashing area.
• The outside of a warewashing machine was soiled.
• The inside of a warewashing machine was soiled.
• The restaurant met inspection.

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 23, 2020 at 6:14 AM.