Inspectors temporarily close Bradenton wing restaurant for roaches, bugs

Florida’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants routinely inspects restaurants, food trucks and other food service establishments for public health and cleanliness issues. The reports are public information.

During the most recent inspections in Manatee County, a Buffalo Wild Wings location in Bradenton was shut down after live roaches and other bugs were spotted on the premises. Other problems at Bradenton area restaurants included unsafe food temperatures and dirty floors and equipment.

Here is what inspectors found:

Buffalo Wild Wings, 4120 14th St. W., Bradenton

• An inspector ordered that Buffalo Wild Wings be temporarily shut down on Oct. 22 after live roaches and other flying insect activity was observed on site. The restaurant failed follow-up inspections on Oct. 23 and Oct. 24 and was required to remain closed on those days. On Oct. 25, no bugs were observed and the restaurant was allowed to reopen, but another follow-up inspection was required for other unresolved violations.
• A plastic mop item was stored in an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
  
  
• Floors under single-service racks were soiled with trash and food debris, according to an inspector. Floors were also soiled under a soda machine and under the cook and prep lines in the kitchen.
• An exterior door had a gap at the threshold that opened to the outside.
• Floors under the cook and prep lines were not clean.

The River Road Stop, 131 Upper Manatee River Rd., Bradenton

• During a follow-up visit for previous violations, an inspector found unresolved issues.
• The restaurant operator was still using unapproved well water for employee handwashing and warewashing purposes. A restaurant operator stated that employees used hand sanitizer after washing hands with the well water, chlorine sanitizer was used in the warewashing process and only store-bought water was used for cooking.

• The food truck was still using a make-shift drain line leading to a 275 gallon tank stored in the ground as a temporary fix for plumbing issues. An inspector did not see water on the ground as had been previously observed.

• Another follow-up inspection was required.

Applebee’s Grill + Bar, 3255 University Parkway, Sarasota

• Marinara sauce was held at a temperature less than 135 degrees. Corrective action was taken.

• No soap was provided at a handwash sink in a men’s restroom.

• Multiple cutting boards on the cook line were soiled.

• There was soiling around nozzles on a soda machine.

• A microwave was missing a fan guard.

• There was an accumulation of black, mold-like substance in the interior of an ice bin.

• Walk-in cooler shelves were rusted.

• To-go containers and coffee filters were not stored protected from contamination. Corrective action was taken.

• No handwashing sign was posted at an employee handwash sink in a men’s restroom.

• An employee purse was stored with clean utensils at a bar.

• Ceiling tiles above the cook line were soiled and damaged, according to an inspector.

• The restaurant met inspection standards.

Oma’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant, 201 Gulf Dr. N., Bradenton Beach

• An inspector observed an employee begin working without first washing hands. The inspector advised the employee and a manager on proper handwashing procedure.
• A mixer head was soiled.
• The interior of an ice machine was soiled.
• Multiple cutting boards on the cook line were stained and soiled.
• No test kit was at hand to measure the strength of sanitizer in use for warewashing and/or wiping cloths.
• No paper towels or hand drying device were provided at an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
• Walk-in cooler shelves were pitted with rust.
• Hoods on the cook line were soiled.
• The interior of a reach-in cooler at a sandwich-making station was soiled.
• An exhaust fan above a pizza oven was soiled.
• A table top under a slicer was soiled.
• Salt and sugar containers were stored on the kitchen floor. Corrective action was taken.
• None of the kitchen employees were wearing hair restraints, according to an inspector.
• 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 October 29, 2021 at 6:00 AM.