8 restaurants around Bradenton, Cortez, Longboat Key get poor health inspections
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, restaurants were cited for problems including no handwashing and dish machines that were not sanitizing properly. One restaurant had dead bugs on site.
Here is what inspectors found:
Hibachi Express Bradenton, 4533 14th St. W., Bradenton
An inspector observed seven dead roaches on the floor across from a sushi station.
Dishmachine sanitizer was not at the proper minimum strength. An inspector took a sanitizer reading of zero. A person in charge turned off the dishmachine and set up manual warewashing at a three-compartment sink.
An employee touched a garbage can and then failed to wash hands before handling a sushi cutting board. An inspector advised on proper handwashing procedure. Corrective action was taken.
Raw beef, raw chicken and raw pork were stored over unwashed produce. Corrective action was taken.
The restaurant advertised crab on a menu but served imitation crab (krab). An inspector advised on proper procedure.
No currently certified food service manager was on duty while four or more employees were engaged in food preparation/handling.
Chicken, pork and beef that were being held for future use were not date-marked. Corrective action was taken.
Single-service items were not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Corrective action was taken.
Single-service items were stored on the floor.
Equipment gaskets were soiled with mold-like substance throughout the kitchen area.
Food was stored on the floor in a walk-in freezer. Corrective action was taken.
There was an accumulation of black, mold-like substance inside of an ice machine.
A follow-up inspection was required. The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit the next day.
Blue Jasper Restaurant, 5718 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
- Dishmachine sanitizer was not at the proper minimum strength. An inspector took a sanitizer reading of zero. The inspector advised setting up manual warewashing until the dishmachine was working properly.
- Raw turkey sausages were stored over lettuce in a walk-in cooler.
Raw sausages were stored over jalapeño poppers in a reach-in freezer.
Cut ham and pooled eggs were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. Corrective action was taken.
A manager or person in charge lacked food manager certification.
Records of required employee food safety training did not contain all of the required information.
Wiping cloth sanitizing solution was not at the proper minimum strength.
Walk-in cooler shelves were pitted with rust.
There was standing water in the bottom of a reach-in cooler.
Utensils were stored upright with the food-contact surface face up.
An inspector observed an objectionable smell in a dry storage area and at the back outside area of the establishment.
Reach-in cooler doors and an oven door were soiled.
In-use utensils were stored in standing water at less than 135 degrees.
Floors were soiled underneath equipment, a prep sink, a three-compartment sink, a dish machine and dry storage shelves.
A follow-up inspection was required. During a follow-up visit the next day, numerous issues remained unresolved. Another follow-up inspection was required.
Swordfish Grill, 4628 119th St. W., Cortez
- Dishmachine sanitizer was not at the proper minimum strength. Corrective action was taken.
Raw animal foods (beef and fish) were not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature in a walk-in freezer. Corrective action was taken.
Pork, fish and scallops were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees in a walk-in cooler. A restaurant operator placed a service call for the cooler.
Butter was hot held at a temperature less than 135 degrees. Corrective action was taken.
Shellfish tags were not maintained in chronological order according to the last date the food was served in the establishment.
A can opener blade was soiled.
A soda holster at the bar was soiled.
Wiping cloth sanitizing solution was not at the proper minimum strength. Corrective action was taken.
Two ice machines were stored on the side of the building without locks.
Clean utensils were stored in an area exposed to splash. Corrective action was taken.
A follow-up inspection was required.
Florence’s Brooklyn Pizzeria, 3306 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton
An employee handled their phone and then handled clean pans without first washing hands. An inspector advised the employee and a manager on proper hand washing procedure.
Raw shell eggs were stored over washed leafy greens in a reach-in cooler. Corrective action was taken.
There was no proof of require food safety training for any employees.
Cans of tomato sauce were stored on the kitchen floor. Corrective action was taken.
A follow-up inspection was required.
Shore Longboat Key, 800 Broadway St., Longboat Key
- Salsa, cut lettuce, rice cakes, veggie burger sliced cheese, cut tomatoes and butter were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. A stop sale was issued due to temperature abuse for several items that had been held for too long. The other items were moved to a walk-in cooler.
- A dishmachine was not operating at the proper temperature. Corrective action was taken.
- A can opener blade was soiled.
- No paper towels were provided at an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
- Water at an employee handwash sink was not hot enough.
- A follow-up inspection was required.
Salt & Pepper Cafe, 608 14th St. W., Bradenton
An employee handled raw chicken and then changed gloves without washing hands. An inspector advised the employee and a manager on proper hand washing procedure.
An employee handled their phone and then handled clean utensils without first washing hands.
Raw shell eggs were stored over ready-to-eat sauces in a reach-in cooler. Corrective action was taken.
There was no certified food manager for the establishment.
There was standing water on floors in dishwashing and preparation areas.
Several cutting boards had cut marks and were no longer cleanable.
A follow-up inspection was required.
River Club Grille, 6600 River Club Blvd., Lakewood Ranch
- A food manager’s certification was expired.
There was an accumulation of food debris on a slicer blade guard.
Proof of required food safety-training was not available for some employees.
Walls near the cook line were soiled.
Oil was stored on the floor.
Floors were soiled in dishwashing and food prep areas.
There was an accumulation of mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
A follow-up inspection was required.
Hungry Howie’s Pizza & Salad Bar, 5912 18th St. E., Ellenton
- During a follow-up inspection for previous violations, there was again no proof of required food safety training for any employees.
- Another follow-up inspection was required.
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 at www.myfloridalicense.com.
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 hand-washing issues or moldy drink machines — regardless of whether or not the businesses passed inspection.