Dirty dining: Moldy drink and ice machines, employee training issues found at area restaurants

Florida’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants routinely inspects restaurants, food trucks and other food service establishments for public health and cleanliness issues.

During the most recent inspections in Manatee County, restaurants were cited for problems that included mold-like substances on drink and ice machines and lack of proper employee training.

Here is what inspectors found.

Chick-fil-A, 5206 73rd Lane E., Bradenton

• Previously prepared grilled chicken was marked with an incorrect expiration date.
• Eleven employees had expired food handler certifications, according to an inspector.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

South Philly Cheesesteaks, 5442 Lockwood Ridge Rd., Bradenton

• There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
• An inspector observed an employee use a handwash sink as a dump sink.
• A food manager’s certification was expired.
• A restaurant operator was preparing food without a hair restraint.
• An employee cell phone and drink were stored over a prep table. Corrective action was taken.
• Hood filters on the cook line were soiled.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Rice Bowl Asian House, 7305 52nd Place E., Bradenton

• Brown rice was hot held at a temperature less than 135 degrees. Corrective action was taken.
• Fresh garlic in oil was stored at room temperature. Corrective action was taken.
• The ice chute on a self-service drink machine was soiled with mold-like substance/slime. Corrective action was taken.
• A wet wiping cloth at the sushi bar was not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
• In-use tongs were stored on an equipment handle in between uses.
• A fan cover in a walk-in cooler was soiled.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Uncle Nick’s, 5917 Manatee Ave. W. #301, Bradenton

• The establishment was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
• The ice chute on a self-service drink machine in the dining area was soiled with mold-like substance/slime.
• There was no test kit at hand to measure the strength of sanitizer in use for warewashing.
• Walk-in cooler gaskets were soiled with slime/mold-like buildup.
• There was accumulated grease under a fryer at the cook line.
• Three employees were not wearing hair restraints while preparing food.
• A cutting board had cut marks and was no longer cleanable.
• 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 January 13, 2021 at 5:00 AM.