Dirty dining: Mold, undated food, no hair restraints and more issues 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 dirty and moldy equipment and employees making food without wearing hair restraints.

Here is what inspectors found.

Red Lobster, 5711 14th St. W., Bradenton

• The interior of an ice machine was soiled with mold-like substance.
• The floor area under a soda dispenser was soiled.
• An employee beverage was stored in a food preparation or clean equipment area. Corrective action was taken.
• Ceiling vents above a warewashing area were soiled.
• There was a buildup of grease on hoods over the main cook line.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Happy Dragon, 11161 S.R. 70 #102, Lakewood Ranch

• Multiple food items in a walk-in cooler were not date-marked.
• Proof of required training was unavailable for some employees.
• An employee handwash sink did not have enough water pressure for proper handwashing, according to an inspector.
• Walk-in cooler gaskets were soiled with slimy/mold-like buildup.
• A rear kitchen entrance was not protected with a self-closing door.
• A food employee on the cook line was not wearing a hair restraint. Corrective action was taken.
• Employee drinks were stored near clean equipment throughout the kitchen. Corrective action was taken.
• Cardboard was used to line shelves in contact with food. Corrective action was taken.
• Hood filters were soiled.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Wings ‘N Things, 7640 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota

• Food that had been prepared on site and held for future use was not properly date-marked.
• There was no test kit at hand to measure the strength of sanitizer in use for warewashing.
• A wall behind the cook line was soiled.
• Reach-in cooler gaskets throughout the kitchen and bar area were soiled.
• Outer openings were not protected with self-closing doors.
• Multiple reach-in coolers lacked ambient air temperature thermometers, according to an inspector.
• Cases of food were stored on the floor throughout the kitchen and in a walk-in freezer.
• Cases of food were stored less than 6 inches off of the floor.
• An employee with no hair restraint was preparing food.
• A cutting board was grooved an no longer cleanable.
• There was an accumulation of debris inside of a warewashing machine.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Chi Chop, 8404 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota

• Items were blocking access to an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
• There were no paper towels available at an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
• One or more cutting boards on the cook line were stained/soiled.
• Curtains at the entrance to the kitchen area were soiled.
• Multiple cases of food were stored on the kitchen floor.
• Hood filters were soiled.
• 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 25, 2021 at 6:59 AM.