Dirty dining: Roaches shut down Anna Maria Island cafe. They also hit a Bradenton restaurant

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 popular beach cafe on Anna Maria Island was shut down after live roaches were found in the restaurant. Another restaurant had more than two dozen dead roaches on site.

Issues at other area restaurants included moldy equipment and unsafe food temperatures.

Here is what inspectors found.

Gulf Drive Cafe, 900 Gulf Dr. N., Bradenton Beach

• An inspector ordered that Gulf Drive Cafe be temporarily closed on March 4 after roach activity was observed in the restaurant.
• There were approximately a dozen roaches under cooking equipment on the main cook line, according to an inspector.
• Raw shrimp was stored over feta cheese in a reach-in cooler on the cook line.
• There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in two ice machines in the bar area.
• There was an accumulation of encrusted food debris on/around a mixer head.
• There was an encrusted material on a can opener blade.
• The inside of a reach-in cooler was soiled with food residue.
• Walls on the cook line and in a walk-in cooler were soiled.
• Walk-in cooler shelves were pitted with rust.
• An inspector observed shrimp thawing in standing water. Corrective action was taken. A manager moved the shrimp to a walk-in cooler.
• Partitions in a tiki bar area could not be properly sealed when the restaurant was not in operation.
• There was accumulated grease under all of the equipment on the cook line, according to an inspector.
• An exterior door at the back of the kitchen had a gap at the threshold that opened to the outside.
• Clean equipment and utensils were stored in area at the back of the restaurant that was not fully enclosed.
• There was an accumulation of debris inside of a warewashing machine.
• The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit on March 5 and was allowed to reopen.

Gecko’s Grill & Pub, 7228 55th Ave. E., Bradenton

• An inspector observed approximately 30 dead roaches on the floor under a preparation table in the kitchen.
• An inspector observed an employee dry hands on a soiled towel after handwashing. The inspector advised the employee and a manager on proper handwashing procedure.
• An inspector observed an employee handle soiled dishes or utensils and then handle clean dishes or utensils without first washing hands. The inspector advised the employee and a manager on proper handwashing procedure.
• An inspector observed an employee touch their face and then touch clean utensils without first washing hands. The inspector advised the employee and a manager on proper handwashing procedure.
• A container of medicine was stored on a shelf with food. Corrective action was taken.
  
  
• An inspector observed a large can of artichoke hearts that was dented at the seam. Corrective action was taken. A manager discarded the can.
• There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.

• There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance inside two ice bins at the wait station.

• Cutting boards throughout the kitchen were stained/soiled.

• Multiple spray bottles containing cleaning substances were not labeled. Corrective action was taken.

• Walls in a mop sink and ice machine area were soiled.

• A wall in dishwashing area was soiled with black debris.

• Single service items were stored in an outdoor shed without a door.

• There was grease accumulated on the floor under a grill area on the cook line.

• All of the reach-in coolers on the cook line had slimy/mold-like buildup on their gaskets, according to an inspector.

• Floor areas were soiled in a bar area and in the kitchen.

• A back exit in the kitchen did not seal tightly on its own.

• An employee with a beard was preparing food without a beard guard. Corrective action was taken.

• There was an accumulation of debris inside of a warewashing machine.

• A follow-up inspection was required. The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit the next day.

Boston Market, 5002 Cortez Road W., Bradenton

• Cooked chicken and turkey were hot held at temperatures less than 135 degrees. A restaurant operator reheated the foods.
• A food manager’s certification was expired.
• Multiple food containers were in poor repair.
• Walk-in cooler shelves were soiled with food debris.
• A follow-up inspection was required.

Panda Buffet, 3901 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

• Raw shrimp was stored over cooked shrimp in a holding unit. Corrective action was taken.
• Shrimp and mussels were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. Corrective action was taken.
• Chemicals were stored with soda.
• Window cleaner was stored on plastic ware.
• An inspector observed a black mold-like substance around soda dispensing nozzles.
• Cooked foods in a walk-in cooler were not date-marked.
• Required training was expired for two employees.
• Wet wiping cloths were not stored in sanitizing solution in between uses.
• Raw shrimp was thawing in standing water. Corrective action was taken.
• Green beans and ribs were stored uncovered. Corrective action was taken.
• No handwashing signs were posted at employee handwash sinks in restrooms. Corrective action was taken.
• Plastic ware was stored uncovered.
• A scoop handle was touching food. Corrective action was taken.
• At least one in-use knife was stored in a crack between pieces of equipment. Corrective action was taken.
• An ice scoop handle was in contact with ice. Corrective action was taken.
• All of the gaskets on cook line equipment had a slime-like buildup, according to an inspector.
• An exterior screen door had a gap that opened to the outside.
• An employee cell phone and sweater were stored over a food prep area. Corrective action was taken.
• Employee food was stored with food to be served to customers in a refrigerator. Corrective action was taken.
• The top of a dishmachine was 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.

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 11, 2021 at 5:22 AM.