Restaurant Inspections: Sewage Backups, Roaches Near Cuban Press, Rodents

BRADENTON, FL — The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation ordered emergency closures at three area eateries last week when conditions inside didn’t meet state guidelines for health and safety.

Roach activity, dirty conditions and potentially hazardous food storage practices were among the biggest reasons behind the temporary closings. In its Emergency Closures report for the week ending Nov. 12, the state noted these local restaurants had been ordered shut until they cleaned up their acts:

Bradenton

1st Street Café, 3506 1st. St.

• Initial inspection date – Nov. 7
• High priority violations – 4
• Intermediate violations – 7
• Basic violations – 4

Improper food storage temperatures, a sewage backup through floor drains and inaccessibility of a handwashing sink all raised red flags for the state inspector. One of the biggest concerns, however, involved the discovery of “10-12 dry rodent droppings” near the back door and dish machine. The inspector also noted a failure to provide proof of state-required employee training for any employees. The eatery failed a return inspection on Nov. 8, but did meet state standards during a repeat visit that same day.

St. Petersburg

Pipos to Go, 8 Fourth St. N.

• Initial inspection date – Nov. 8
• High priority violations – 8
• Intermediate violations – 10
• Basic violations – 19

Dirty conditions, improper food storage temperatures and failure to provide proof of required employee training all caused concerns for the inspector, the state’s report noted. High priority issues included an employee handling food with “boil/sores on both hands” and no gloves available. The inspector noted the employee was “removed from food prep.” Roaches were also found in several areas, including “23 live roaches under cabinet with Cuban press.” More roaches were found near the cooks’ line, under the reach-in cooler and by the back prep area. The eatery was allowed to reopen following a Nov. 9 return inspection. The state’s report noted that a follow-up visit is still required.

Tampa

Acropolis Greek Taverna, 1833 E. 7th Ave.

• Initial inspection date – Nov. 8
• High priority violations – 11
• Intermediate violations – 3
• Basic violations – 17

After being shuttered by the state in October due to unsatisfactory conditions, this popular Ybor City establishment was closed again in November. Concerns this time around included dead roaches, a failure to wash lettuce before preparation and dirty conditions. High priority violations noted by the inspector included employee failure to wash hands, an “employee touching ready-to-eat food” with bare hands and live roaches. In addition, the inspector noted wastewater backing up through a drain, a build-up of a moldy substance on the food processor lid and a failure to use a secondary cooking step on gyro meat to “ensure all parts, internal and external” reached a minimum safe temperature of 155 degrees. The eatery met state standards during a return visit that same day.

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