Restaurant Inspections: Roaches In An Onion Crate

BRADENTON, FL — The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation ordered three area eateries to clean up their acts last week when conditions inside didn’t meet state guidelines for health and safety.

Roach activity, no running water and improper food storage were among the biggest reasons behind the temporary closings. In its Emergency Closures report for the week ending July 23, the state noted these local restaurants had been ordered shut until they cleaned up their acts:

Bradenton

Taqueria Morales, 1880 63rd Ave.

• Initial inspection date – July 17
• High priority violations – 5
• Intermediate violations – 3
• Basic violations – 0

The inspector noted concerns with improper food storage conditions, including a refrigerator that was running too hot. An expired restaurant license also raised concerns, but the biggest issue here was a lack of potable, running water. The state noted a need for a return inspection, but had not recorded one as of July 25.

Tampa

Taj-Indian Cuisine, 2734 E. Fowler. Ave., No. 8

• Initial inspection date – July 21
• High priority violations – 4
• Intermediate violations – 4
• Basic violations – 12

One of the first things the inspector noted was discovering dead roaches that were “too numerous to count” in plain view of the public at the front door. Other minor concerns included dirty non-food contact surfaces and cracked tiles. The biggest issues, however, centered on storage of raw eggs over sauce in a walk-in cooler and live roaches. The inspector noted finding live critters behind the stove and coming out of a crack in the wall. Eight live roaches were also found in an onion crate stored by the wall, the report noted. The eatery met state inspection standards during a return visit on July 22.

Lakeland

Rosita’s Mexican Restaurant, 741 N. Wabash Ave.

• Initial inspection date – July 17
• High priority violations – 3
• Intermediate violations – 1
• Basic violations – 4

Improper food storage conditions, dirty floors and dead roaches all raised concerns. The inspector issued a stop sale on meat products that were stored at temperatures too high for safety. The discovery of live roaches also caused red flags to go up. The inspector noted finding four live roaches under a sink, two under a cart in the kitchen and another under a food preparation sink. The inspector returned on July 18 and found conditions that met state standards.

Check out these stories to read other recent inspection reports:

• Restaurant Inspections: Rodent Poop On Buffet
• Restaurant Inspections: Leaky Ceiling Drips On Food

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