Dirty dining: Flies, old food and moldy ceilings found at Bradenton 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 flying insects on-site, moldy equipment and surfaces and potentially hazardous foods that were more than a week old.

Here is what inspectors found.

Florence’s Brooklyn Pizzeria, 3306 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

• An inspector observed approximately 10 fruit flies in a kitchen area.
• Marinara and meatballs that were being reheated for hot-holding did not reach a temperature of 165 degrees for 15 seconds within two hours. A stop sale was issued due to temperature abuse, and a restaurant operator discarded the food.
• A sanitizer bucket was stored on a counter with parmesan cheese containers and pizza holders. Corrective action was taken.
• The interior of a reach-in cooler was soiled.
• There was no test kit at hand to measure the strength of sanitizer in use for warewashing.
• No soap was provided at an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
• No paper towels were provided at an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
• No written procedures were available for use of time as a public health control to monitor pizza. An inspector sent the necessary documentation to a restaurant operator.
• A person in charge was unable to answer basic questions about allergens.
• Previously prepared meatballs and pasta were not date-marked. Corrective action was taken.
• To-go plates were not stored inverted to prevent contamination.
• An outer door was not self-closing.
• A floor fan in the kitchen was soiled with excessive grease, according to an inspector.
• The interior of a microwave was soiled with food debris.
• A floor drain at a three-compartment sink was soiled.
• An employee cell phone charger was stored with to-go plates.
• An employee beverage was stored on a shelf with clean dishes. Corrective action was taken.
• An inspector observed a stained ceiling tile over a counter in a pizza delivery area.
• A follow-up inspection was required. The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit.

IMG Academy Golf Club, 4350 El Conquistador Parkway, Bradenton

• An inspector observed chicken and tuna salad that were date-marked as more than a week old. A restaurant operator discarded the items.
• A food mixer was soiled with an oil/grease-like substance.
• There was an encrusted material on a can opener blade.
• A manager or person in charge lacked proof of food manager certification. Corrective action was taken. The restaurant operator provided proof of certification before the end of the inspection.
• A restaurant operator was unable to provide original employee training certificates.
• A cutting board had cut marks and was no longer cleanable.
• There was an accumulation of debris on a warewashing machine.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Burger King, 551 10th St. E., Palmetto

• A bucket of sanitizer was stored on a shelf with to-go containers. Corrective action was taken.
• There was an accumulation of black, mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
• There was a black, mold-like substance around soda nozzles at a soda dispenser in the drive-thru service area.
• The interior of an oven on the cook line was soiled with old food debris.
• There was heavy grease buildup on ventilation hoods in the kitchen area.
• An outer opening was not protected with a self-closing door.
• A food employee was not wearing a hair restraint.
• An employee bicycle was stored near single-service items.
• Ceiling vents and tiles were soiled with dust and grease-like buildup.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, 3390 First St., Bradenton

• A sanitizer bucket was stored on a counter in a food preparation area. Corrective action was taken.
• An inspector observed multiple ceiling tiles in a kitchen and food preparation area soiled with a mold-like substance.
• Ceiling vents were soiled with grease-like substance and dust.
• There was grease accumulated under fryers.
• An inspector observed a slimy buildup on equipment gaskets.
• There was an accumulation of dust on the back of menu-display monitors.
• 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.

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.

This story was originally published March 4, 2021 at 8:11 AM.