Rodent and fly activity, mold found at popular breakfast spot. 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, Sage Biscuit Cafe on Cortez Road was temporarily shut down after signs of rodent activity and flying insects were found in the restaurant.

Other restaurants around Bradenton, Ellenton and Holmes Beach were cited for problems including moldy equipment and employee handwashing issues.

Here is what inspectors found.

Sage Biscuit Cafe, 6656 Cortez Rd. W., Bradenton

• An inspector ordered that Sage Biscuit Cafe be temporarily closed on April 19 after observing signs of rodent and insect activity on site.
• An inspector observed approximately 37 rodent droppings in various areas of the restaurant, including droppings found under a convection oven and under a warming box.
• An inspector observed three fly-like insects in the kitchen near a walk-in cooler.
• A cook did not properly wash hands during a glove change, according to an inspector. The inspector advised on correct handwashing procedure.
• There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
• A slicer blade guard was soiled with old food debris.
• There was accumulated grease underneath a fryer.
• Employee drinks were stored on food preparation tables. Corrective action was taken.
• The ceiling and/or ceiling tiles and vents were soiled throughout the kitchen.
• Hood filters were soiled.
• The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit on April 20 and was allowed to reopen.

Peach’s Restaurant, 3240 E Bay Drive, Holmes Beach

• An inspector observed a cook crack raw shell eggs and then fail to wash hands before putting on gloves. The inspector advised on roper handwashing procedure. Corrective action was taken.
• An inspector observed shell eggs that were stored with cracks in them. A stop sale was issued and a restaurant operator discarded the cracked eggs.
• Potentially hazardous foods (pooled eggs, liquid eggs and potatoes) that were supposed to be monitored using time as a public health control had not time marking and the time removed from temperature control could not be determined.
• Food that was being monitored using time as a public health control had exceeded the four-hour limit.
• Chemical substances were stored next to food. Corrective action was taken.
• Cutting boards on the cook line were soiled.
• Multiple employee handwash sinks did not have enough water pressure, according to an inspector.
• Walk-in cooler shelves were soiled.
• There was standing water on the ground in a cooking area and near a three-compartment sink.
• There was a mold-like substance on a fan cover and walls of a walk-in cooler/freezer, according to an inspector.
• An employee lunch bag was stored above customer food. Corrective action was taken.
• Employee food and beverages were stored in food preparation and storage areas. Corrective action was taken.
• A vent near a walk-in cooler and an air curtain by a rear exit were soiled.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Applebee’s Grill & Bar, 5908 18th St. E., Ellenton

• An inspector observed a server drop off dirty dishes and then fail to wash hands before handling food. A restaurant operator educated the employee on proper handwashing. Corrective action was taken.
• Rice that had been cooked the previous day had not been cooled to a temperature of 41 degrees within six hours. A stop sale was issued and the food was discarded.
• Cutting boards throughout the kitchen were stained.
• A wall in a dishwashing area was soiled.
• There was standing water on the floor of a walk-in cooler.
• There was a buildup of food debris on the inside of a warewashing machine.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Siam Thai Bistro, 5763 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

• Dishmachine sanitizer was not at the proper minimum strength. An inspector took a reading of zero. The inspector advised setting up manual dishwashing until the dishmachine could be repaired.
• Raw shell eggs were stored over unwashed produce. Corrective action was taken.
• Cooked chicken and rice were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. Corrective action was taken.

• There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.

• A certified food manager was unable to answer basic Food Code questions pertaining to the safe operation of the establishment.

• A probe thermometer was soiled. Corrective action was taken.

• A hood was soiled.

• Hood filters were soiled with grease.

• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Skinny’s Place, 3901 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach

• An inspector found a black mold-like substance on the interior of an ice machine.
• In-use tongs were stored on a fryer cabinet door handle. Corrective action was taken.
• A table fan in the kitchen was soiled with dust.
• Employee drinks were stored on a shelf with customer food. Corrective action was taken.
• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Checkers, 5140 Cortez Road W., Bradenton

• Wiping cloth sanitizing solution exceeded the maximum concentration allowed. Corrective action was taken.
• There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
• A cutting board was soiled.
• Walk-in cooler gaskets were soiled with slimy/mold-like buildup.
• There was accumulated grease under cooking equipment.
• 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.

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.