This Bradenton waterfront restaurant had a rodent problem. Inspectors shut it down

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, a waterfront restaurant in Bradenton was shut down after dozens of rodent droppings were found on-site.

Other restaurants were cited for issues that include raw meat stored over food and moldy equipment.

Here is what inspectors found.

Caddy’s, 801 Riverside Dr. E., Bradenton

• An inspector ordered that Caddy’s be temporarily shut down on Feb. 8 after observing signs of rodent activity.
• An inspector observed more than 20 rodent droppings in a corner and on the floor between an entrance to a walk-in cooler and a manager’s office; more than 20 rodent droppings near a soda dispenser in a waiting area near an exit door; and approximately 15 rodent droppings on the floor behind a convection oven near the entrance to a walk-in cooler.
• Raw shrimp was stored over ready-to-eat bread in a walk-in cooler. Corrective action was taken.
• A cook did not was hands before putting on new gloves, according to an inspector. Corrective action was taken.
• A slicer blade guard was soiled with old food debris.
• Walk-in cooler shelves were pitted with rust.
• There was grease accumulated on the floor and/or under cooking equipment at the cook line. An inspector advised a restaurant operator that grease buildup should be frequently cleaned as it is a potential food source for vermin.
• An exterior door had a gap at the threshold that opened to the outside.
• A cook was preparing food without a hair restraint. Corrective action was taken.
• An open employee drink was stored next to clean stacked plates. Corrective action was taken.
• The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit on Feb. 9 and was allowed to reopen.

Libby’s Neighborhood Brasserie, Lakewood Ranch

• Mashed potatoes were hot held at a temperature less than 135 degrees. Corrective action was taken.
• There was an accumulation of mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
• Cutting boards on the cook line were soiled, according to an inspector.
• A warewashing machine was dispensing the wrong chemical as sanitizer. Corrective action was taken.
• A walk-in cooler had an unsealed concrete floor.
• Employee drinks were stored in a server area. Corrective action was taken.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Pierre’s Eatery, 5461 Factory Shops Blvd., Ellenton (Ellenton Premium Outlets)

• Raw chicken was stored over broccoli and tortillas in a reach-in freezer. Corrective action was taken.
• Baked pasta and chicken were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. The items had been held overnight. Corrective action was taken. A restaurant operator discarded the items.
• A spray bottle containing a toxic substance that was stored near a pizza oven was not labeled. Corrective action was taken.
• Reach-in freezer gaskets were soiled.
• Hood filters were soiled.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

KFC, 6301 15th St. E., Sarasota

• Hot water was not provided at an employee handwash sink in the kitchen. A restaurant operator stated that the water did not get hot, according to an inspector.
• An inspector observed water dripping from a water tank in a dry storage area. Corrective action was taken. A restaurant operator placed a bucket underneath the leak.
• A floor drain was not working properly at a three-compartment sink.
• No handwashing sign was placed at an employee handwash sink in the men’s restroom.
• There was grease accumulated under a fryer at the cook line.
• A walk-in cooler fan cover was soiled. An inspector advised routinely cleaning the fan cover.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Hungry Street Bradenton, 5303 14th St. W., Bradenton

• Raw marinated chicken was stored over ready-to-eat dessert in a refrigerator. Corrective action was taken.

• Raw shell eggs were held in a unit with an ambient air temperature greater than 45 degrees.

• Cooked chicken and cooked beef were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. Corrective action was taken.

• An inspector observed a restaurant operator use a handwash sink to rinse dishes. The inspector advised on the proper use of handwash sinks. Corrective action was taken.

• Hot water was not provided at an employee handwash sink.

• No test kit was at hand to measure the strength of sanitizer in use for warewashing.

• The sink compartments of a three-compartment sink were too small to accommodate the restaurant’s equipment.

• An inspector observed two latched windows that were open during food preparation, exposing food to potential contamination from outside. Corrective action was taken. A restaurant operator closed the windows.

• The business 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.

The Bradenton Herald’s weekly dirty dining reports list restaurants where inspectors found issues that might concern the average diner — such as unsafe food temperatures, employee handwashing issues or moldy drink machines — regardless of whether or not the businesses passed inspection.