Inspectors temporarily close Bradenton restaurant with live roach problem
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 recent inspections, a Hungarian restaurant in Bradenton was temporarily shut down after inspectors found live and dead roaches onsite.
Vernona Gourmet, 711 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton — Inspected and temporarily shut down April 22
- High priority: An inspector observed approximately 15 live roaches in a dish room area.
- High priority: An inspector observed cooked meatloaf, homemade Caesar dressing and hollandaise sauce that were more than a week old, according to their date marks.
- High priority: Raw pork was stored over cooked pork in a reach-in cooler. Corrective action was taken.
- Intermediate: A slicer was soiled with dried food particles.
- Intermediate: A spray bottle containing a toxic substance was not labeled. Corrective action was taken.
- Basic: An inspector observed dead roaches in several areas: two by a cash register, five in a dining area, two in the kitchen near a slicer and 10 in a dish room area.
- Basic: There was standing water on the kitchen floor. Corrective action was taken.
- Basic: The interior of a microwave was soiled. Corrective action was taken.
- The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit on April 23 and was allowed to reopen.
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.