Local

16 restaurants around Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota get poor health inspections

By Ryan Ballogg

January 30, 2023 10:18 AM

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 issues including live insects on site and lack of employee handwashing and training.

Here is what inspectors found:

Sonic Drive-In, 6008 14th St. W., Bradenton

An inspector observed approximately 25 live flying insects throughout the kitchen and dry storage areas.
Gaskets on cooling units were soiled with out mold-like substance throughout the establishment.
Vents over a grill and fryers in the main kitchen area were soiled with grease.
Air return vents in the main kitchen area and above a soda fountain beverage machine were soiled with mold-like substance.
There was food and soiled paper products on the floor under all equipment in the main kitchen area.
A follow-up inspection was required. The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit the next day.

Cremesh European Restaurant, 7232 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

Rice, onion soup and sauerkraut were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees in cooling units. A stop sale was issued due to temperature abuse, and the items were discarded.
Butter was hot held at a temperature less than 135 degrees. Corrective action was taken.
A bowl was stored in an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
There was no proof provided that food employees were informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.
There was no proof of required food safety training for one employee.
A cutting board had cut marks and was no longer cleanable.
A cutting board had cut marks and was no longer cleanable.
The restaurant’s current license was not displayed.
A follow-up inspection was required.
During a follow-up visit four days later, an inspector again observed foods held at unsafe temperatures.
Cabbage and onion soup were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees.
Another follow-up inspection was required.

Tijuana Flats, 2127 Cortez Road W., Bradenton

Beef steak, ground beef, chicken, pork, sour cream, cream cheese, shredded cheese, cheese, queso fresco, cookie dough, guacamole, cut lettuce, cut tomatoes, cooked rice, black beans, refried beans, cooked corn, cooked onions and cut cabbage were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees in a walk-in cooler. A stop sale was issued for all of the items due to temperature abuse.
A follow-up inspection was required.

Hungry Howie’s Pizza & Salad Bar, 5726 Ranch Lake Blvd., Lakewood Ranch

A certified food manager or person in charge lacked knowledge of foodborne illnesses or symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils or single-service items.
No test kit was at hand to measure the strength of sanitizer in use for a dishmachine.
There was no proof of required food safety training for any employees.
There was no proof provided that food employees were informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illness.
A reach-in cooler was soiled.
There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
Bottled soft drinks were stored on the floor. Corrective action was taken.
Floors in a dishwashing room were covered with standing water.
A back kitchen exit had a gap at the threshold that opened to the outside.
An employee drink was stored on a cutting board. Corrective action was taken.
Several cutting boards had cut marks and were no longer cleanable.
A follow-up inspection was required.

McGrath’s Irish Ale House, 8110 Lakewood Main St., Lakewood Ranch

Turkey, sausage, beef, chicken salad, blue cheese, gouda cheese and cheese were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. A stop sale was issued for the items due to temperature abuse. A manager discarded them.
Raw shell eggs were stored over ready-to-eat beef stew in a walk-in cooler. Corrective action was taken.
Wiping cloth sanitizing solution exceeded the maximum concentration allowed. Corrective action was taken.
There was no proof provided that food employees were informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illness.
There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
A follow-up inspection was required. The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit two days later.

Valeria Fruit Cocktails & More, 5108 15th St. E. #501, Bradenton (inside Oneco Farmers Market)

An employee changed gloves without washing hands. An inspector advised on proper handwashing procedure. Corrective action was taken.
An inspector observed a small insect in a 5 gallon coconut beverage container. A stop sale was issued due to food not being in sound condition. A person in charge discarded the beverage.
A handwash sink was filled with soiled dishes. Corrective action was taken.
No copy of the restaurant’s latest inspection report was available.
A 5 gallon fruit juice container was stored on the floor. Corrective action was taken.
The restaurant met inspection standards.

Gecko’s Grill & Pub, 4310 S.R. 64 E., Bradenton

An employee failed to wash hands during a glove change after handling garbage. A person in charge educated the employee on proper handwashing procedure. Corrective action was taken.
An employee changed gloves without washing hands. A person in charge educated the employee on proper handwashing procedure. Corrective action was taken.
Ranch dressing, sour cream, mayonnaise and garlic in oil were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. Corrective action was taken.
No paper towels were provided at an employee handwash sink.
Hood vents were soiled with grease.
Multiple gaskets were soiled with mold-like substance.
A chip bucket was stored on the floor. Corrective action was taken.
A follow-up inspection required. The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit the next day.

Scuderia Italian Cuisine, 4805 Cortez Road W., Bradenton

Raw animal foods (chicken and steak) were not properly separated from one another in a walk-in cooler based upon minimum required cooking temperature.
A toxic chemical was stored on a shelf with spices. Corrective action was taken.
Shellfish tags were not marked with the last date that the food was served at the establishment.
A slicer blade was soiled.
A manager or person in charge lacked proof of food manager certification.
There was no proof of required food safety training for any employees.
Previously prepared pasta that was being held for future use was not date-marked. Corrective action was taken.
A cutting board had cut marks and was no longer cleanable.
A follow-up inspection was required.

China Gourmet, 4278 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton

Raw chicken was stored over cooked noodles in a cold-holding unit. Corrective action was taken.
Raw animal foods (chicken and beef) were not properly separated from one another in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature.
Pork, chicken and beef that were being held for future use were not date-marked. Corrective action was taken.
Required employee food safety training was expired for all employees.
Single service items were not stored inverted to prevent contamination. Corrective action was taken.
Hood vents were dripping with grease.
Gaskets were soiled on equipment throughout the establishment.
Multiple food items were stored on the floor in the kitchen area.
A follow-up inspection was required.

Remy’s on Main, 8138 Lakewood Main St., Lakewood Ranch

Cut lettuce and chicken salad were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. Corrective action was taken.
A certified food manager or person in charge lacked knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils and/or single-service items.
A food manager’s certification was expired.
There was no proof provided that food employees were informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.
There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
A follow-up inspection was required.

Nancy’s Bar-B-Q, 14475 S.R. 70 E., Lakewood Ranch

An employee touched their face and then failed to wash hands before touching clean equipment. An inspector advised the employee and a manager on proper handwashing procedure. Corrective action was taken.
Raw animal foods (chicken and beef) were not properly separated from one another in a walk-in cooler based upon minimum required cooking temperature.
The establishment was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
A meat slicer was soiled.
An ice chute on a soda machine in the dining area was soiled.
There was no proof provided that food employees were informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.
Required food safety training was expired for all employees.
Walls and floors in a walk-in cooler were soiled.
A follow-up inspection was required.

Mi Havana Latin Cafe & Catering, 1144 Whitfield Ave., Sarasota

An employee handled their phone and then failed to wash hands before handling clean equipment. Corrective action was taken.
Raw shell eggs were stored over cooked beans in a reach-in cooler. Corrective action was taken.
Cleaning fluid was stored next to canned food in a dry storage area. Corrective action was taken.
The establishment was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
A certified food manager or person in charge lacked knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils and single-service items.
There was no proof of required employee food safety training for any employees.
There was no proof provided that food employees were informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.
Wet wiping cloths in use for spills were not clean. Corrective action was taken.
Walls above a three-compartment sink were soiled.
A beef roast was thawing at room temperature. Corrective action was taken.
A food cart was soiled.
The interior of a microwave was soiled.
There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
A follow-up inspection was required.

Thai Cafe, 4511 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

There was no hot water throughout the establishment.
A cook failed to wash hands/change gloves after handling a payment.
Wiping cloth sanitizing solution exceeded the maximum concentration allowed.
An employee washed hands in a food prep sink. An inspector advised on proper handwashing procedure. Corrective action was taken.
A manager or person in charge lacked proof of food manager certification.
No test kit was at hand to measure the strength of sanitizer in use for warewashing and/or wiping cloths.
There was no hot running water at a three-compartment sink.
There were no written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to monitor a potentially hazardous food item (rice).
A bottle of sanitizer was unlabeled. Corrective action was taken.
Hot water was not provided at an employee handwash sink in the kitchen.
The interior of a microwave was soiled.
A follow-up inspection was required.

SketchDaddy’s Wings ‘n Things, 7814 Cortez Road W., Bradenton

Wiping cloth sanitizing solution exceeded the maximum concentration allowed. Corrective action was taken.
Cleaning fluid was stored over clean containers. Corrective action was taken.
There was no test kit at hand to measure the strength of sanitizer in use for a three-compartment sink.
There was no proof provided that food employees were informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.
Required food safety training was expired for all employees.
A spray bottle containing a toxic substance was unlabeled.
A wet wiping cloth was not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Corrective action was taken.
A wall was soiled underneath a three-compartment sink.
There was standing water in the bottom of a reach-in cooler.
A shelf on the cook line was soiled.
Floors were soiled throughout the kitchen, in a walk-in freezer and in a dry storage area.
A cook was not wearing a hair restraint. Corrective action was taken.
The restaurant met inspection standards.

Linger Lodge Restaurant & Bar, 7205 85th St. Court E., Bradenton

Raw animal foods (beef and mussels) were not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature in a reach-in cooler. Corrective action was taken.
Cooked chicken was cold held at a temperature greater than 41 degrees in a reach-in cooler. Corrective action was taken.
Drain cleaner was stored next to single service cups in a bar area. Corrective action was taken.
The restaurant met inspection standards.

Cremesh Coffee and Bakery, 1822 59th St. W., Bradenton

Raw bacon was stored over lettuce and a container of coleslaw in a reach-in cooler. Corrective action was taken.
Toxic substances were stored in food and drink prep areas. Corrective action was taken.
Wiping cloth sanitizing solution exceeded the maximum concentration allowed. Corrective action was taken.
A handwash sink was used for purposes other than handwashing. Corrective action was taken.
Non-food-grade painting brushes were used to spread egg wash, butter and oil on food.
Coleslaw that was being held for future use was not date-marked. Corrective action was taken.
Employee training documents did not contain all of the require information.
To-go boxes were stored on the floor.
Multiple food employees were not wearing hair nets. Corrective action was taken.
The restaurant’s current license was not displayed.
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 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.

Ryan Ballogg

Bradenton Herald

941-745-7024

Ryan Ballogg is a local news and environment reporter and features writer at the Bradenton Herald. His work has received awards from the Florida Society of News Editors and the Florida Press Club. Ryan is a Florida native and graduate of USF St. Petersburg. Support my work with a digital subscription