Evidence of rodents found at several prominent Manatee establishments

Rodents made their way around Manatee County restaurants and food storage establishments the past couple weeks, according to state inspection reports.

▪  O’Brick’s Irish Pub, 427 12th St. W., was cited for rodent activity during a June 28 inspection. Per the report:

“Observed approximately 15 dry and hard droppings at top shelf at dry storage room. Observed approximately 10 dry and hard droppings at second from top shelf at dry storage room. One on paper towel roll and approximately 5 at second from bottom shelf at dry storage room. Observed, approximately 30 dry and hard droppings on floor under shelf at dry storage room. Observed approximately 20 dry and hard droppings on electrical box at dry storage room. Observed approximately 20 dry and hard droppings on electrical box at dry storage room. Observed approximately 100 hard and dry rodent droppings at service station floor.”

The restaurant and bar also had violations regarding “ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous” food not consumed or sold within seven days after preparing and improper cold food holding temperatures.

Inspectors returned later that day and recorded no violations regarding rodents or rodent droppings, though four other violations were recorded, including one regarding cold food holding temperatures. On June 30, inspectors made another visit to O’Brick’s and found no violations.

▪  During a June 27 visit to Cody’s Original Roadhouse, 895 Cortez Road W., inspectors recorded finding “approximately (10) dry hard rodent droppings in water heater room,” per the report. The report also noted it was a repeat violation. Cody’s was also issued a stop sale on wrapped ribs because of “food temperature abuse.” Inspectors returned the next day and found only one basic violation: “Fan cover in walk-in cooler/freezer has accumulation of dust or debris. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on 2017-06-28: Fan cover in walk-in cooler/freezer has accumulation of dust or debris,” for which the restaurant was given a time extension.

▪  The Food Bank of Manatee, which is inspected by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, is required to undergo a re-inspection because inspectors found evidence of a rodent infestation during a June 21 inspection. The Food Bank of Manatee is categorized as a “cold storage” facility by the department. The food bank is a “PLUS program” operated by Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee Inc.

Other violations:

▪  Harry’s Grill, 9903 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, was cited for improper food cooling and cold food holding temperatures on two different inspection dates within the past month. Inspectors advised operators on proper cold food holding temperatures and food cooling procedures, per the report. The violations require a follow-up inspection on an unspecified date.

▪  Slim’s Place, 204 Palmetto Ave., Anna Maria, also was cited for improper food cooling procedures within the past month. Inspectors advised operators to “refrain from cooling in containers deeper that four inches and to refrain from covering food while cooling,” per the report. The violations require a follow-up inspection on an unspecified date.

▪  Mexicali Border Cafe, 5502 Cortez Road W., was cited for holding whole milk, pork tamales, a spinach and cream mixture and shredded mozzarella cheese at temperatures higher than 41 degrees Fahrenheit, as well as having a reach-in cooler with an ambient air temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit, per the report. Mexicali had a similar violation during a June 15 inspection. Corrective action was taken at the time of the June 24 inspection, according to records.

▪  For more than a month, the 1st Street Cafe, 3506 First St., has been operating without a valid license from the Florida Division of Hotels and Restaurants, the agency that conducts restaurant inspections. The division is a part of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation state office. Operating without a license is considered a “high priority” violation. 1st Street Cafe was also cited for four “intermediate” and five “basic” violations, including a missing ceiling tile, clutter and a lack of paper towels or hand-drying device near the hand-wash sink.

▪  Inspectors visited Panda Buffet, 3901 Manatee Ave. W., on June 30 and recorded improper food cooling issues. Panda Buffet was cited for the same violation during a May 18 inspection. The violations require a follow-up inspection on an unspecified date.

This story was originally published July 5, 2017 at 12:28 PM with the headline "Evidence of rodents found at several prominent Manatee establishments."