Inspectors temporarily close Palmetto restaurant with roaches in kitchen

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 sushi restaurant in Palmetto was temporarily shut down after inspectors found live and dead roaches in the kitchen.

Hideko Sushi & Thai, 737 Eighth Ave. W., Palmetto — Inspected and temporarily shut down March 17

• High priority: An inspector observed multiple live roaches in the establishment: three in a microwave, one on a prep shelf above a kitchen prep counter, one in a clean cooking pot and two in a sticky trap.
• High priority: Chicken was cold held at a temperature greater than 41 degrees. An employee said that it was cooked the night before and had been held overnight in a cooler. An inspector issued a stop sale due to temperature abuse, and a manager discarded the food.
• Intermediate: A spray bottle containing a toxic substance was not labeled.
• Basic: An inspector observed approximately 20 dead roaches throughout the kitchen.
• Basic: An inspector noted four additional basic violations, including an ice machine with a soiled interior.
• The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit on March 18 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.