Dirty dining: Meat at unsafe temperatures. Moldy ice machines. These 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 unclean equipment as well as holding meat and other foods at unsafe temperatures.

Two Bradenton area golf club restaurants required follow-up visits after inspectors noted issues on site.

Here is what inspectors found.

Waterlefe Golf & River Club, 1022 Fish Hook Cove, Bradenton

• Turkey, deli meats, chicken salad, tuna salad, eggs, coleslaw, pesto and cut melon were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. A stop sale was issued for the items due to temperature abuse.
• An inspector observed a handwash sink used as a dump sink. Corrective action was taken.
• There was no test kit at hand for measuring the strength of sanitizer in use for warewashing.
• The restaurant offered undercooked animal foods without a written consumer advisory on the menu. Corrective action was taken.
• A slicer blade guard was soiled with old food debris.
• A spray hose was placed lower than the rim of a three-compartment sink.
• Walk-in cooler gaskets were soiled with slime/mold-like buildup.
• A preparation table on the cook line was pitted with rust.
• A walk-in cooler fan cover was soiled.
• Hood filters were soiled.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Legacy Golf Club At Lakewood Ranch, 8255 Legacy Blvd., Bradenton

• There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
• There were no written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to monitor potentially hazardous food. Corrective action was taken. An inspector educated a restaurant operator on proper procedure.
• Hot water an employee handwash sink did not reach 100 degrees.
• Renovations had been made or were in progress without plans submitted to and approved by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants.
  
  
• Walk-in cooler gaskets were soiled with slime/mold-like buildup.
• Food was stored on the floor in a walk-in cooler and in a pizza-making area, according to an inspector.
• A walk-in cooler fan cover was soiled.
• To-go items and containers were stored on the floor of an outdoor shed.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Truman’s Tap & Grill, 11161 S.R. 70 E. #100, Lakewood Ranch

• Meatloaf, taco beef, cooked chicken and salmon were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees in a reach-in cooler. A stop sale was issued due to temperature abuse.
• There was standing water at the bottom of a reach-in cooler on the cook line.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Wolves Head Pizza & Wings, 1837 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Bradenton

• There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
• A cutting board on the cook line was soiled, according to an inspector.
• A grate was blocking access to an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
• Wiping cloth sanitizing solution was not at the proper minimum strength. Corrective action was taken.
• Walk-in cooler shelves were soiled.
• Food cases were stored on the floor of a walk-in cooler. Corrective action was taken.
• The exterior of a warewashing machine was soiled. Corrective action was taken.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

River Club at Waterlefe, 995 Fish Hook Cove, Bradenton

• Cutting boards on the cook line were soiled.
• A slicer blade guard was soiled with old food debris.
• Walk-in cooler gaskets were soiled with slime/mold-like buildup.
• An inspector observed packaged fish that was supposed to remain frozen until use which was no longer frozen. Corrective action was taken.
• There was no handwashing sign at an employee handwashing sink in the kitchen. Corrective action was taken.
• There was an accumulation of debris on the inside of a convection oven.
• The floor of a walk-in freezer was soiled.
• Multiple food employees were not wearing hair restraints. Corrective action was taken.
• An inspector observed an employee drinking in a food preparation area. Corrective action was taken.
• 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.