Inspectors temporarily close Manatee County restaurant with 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 in Manatee County, a Mexican restaurant in Palmetto was temporarily shut down after inspectors found live roaches and other food safety issues on site.

Mr. Frontera, 1304 Eighth Ave. W., Palmetto — Inspected and temporarily shut down Dec. 1

• High priority: An inspector observed approximately 20 live roaches on a shelf below a preparation table across from the cook line and approximately 10 live roaches on the floor near a reach-in cooler in a back storage area.
• High priority: In a reach-in cooler, an inspector observed salsa verde, cooked beef, chicken soup, beef soup, pork soup and vegetable soup that were date-marked as more than a week old. A stop sale was issued due to the age of the items, and a restaurant owner discarded them.
• High priority: Raw chicken that had been removed from its commercial packaging was stored over ice cream in a stand-up reach-in cooler in the kitchen. Corrective action was taken.
• High priority: Raw shell eggs were stored over cooked chicken in a reach-in cooler. Corrective action was taken.
• High priority: An inspector observed pesticide-emitting strips hanging in a dry storage area and next to an ice machine in the kitchen. Corrective action was taken. A restaurant operator removed the strips.
• High priority: A container of drain cleaner was stored next to containers of lemon juice on a shelf in a dry storage area. Corrective action was taken.
• High priority: The restaurant was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
• Intermediate: A slicer blade was soiled.
• Intermediate: No paper towels were provided at an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
• Intermediate: The restaurant offered raw and/or undercooked animal food without a written consumer health advisory. Corrective action was taken. A restaurant operator printed and posted a consumer advisory before the end of the inspection.
• Basic: An inspector noted five basic violations, including soiled floors and walls and an ice machine with a soiled interior.
• During a follow-up inspection on Dec. 2, an inspector observed more live roaches — approximately five on the floor under a preparation table across from the cook line, three under a three-compartment sink and one in a dry storage area. The emergency closure remained in effect.
• During a second follow-up inspection on Dec. 2, an inspector did not record any additional roach sightings, and only two basic violations were still unresolved. The restaurant met inspection standards 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 MyFloridaLicense.com.