La Teresita, Cowboy Corral Cited For Restaurant Violations

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation said 108 out of 286 restaurants in Pinellas County failed their first inspections this month. But some restaurants had worse violations than others.

La Teresita, 7101 N. 66th St., Pinellas Park, was cited for 39 violations. Inspectors observed an employee touching her hair and then preparing food without washing her hands. Another employee touched a soiled apron and then resumed preparing food. The restaurant was also cited for the presence of flies in the kitchen and storing soda with pesticides.

Deccan Spice Tampa Bay, 2325 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater, was cited for 29 violations. The inspector saw an employee wipe his nose and then handle ladles. Another employee handled clean utensils without first washing his hands. The restaurant was also taken to task for having live flies in the food preparation, back storage and bar area and operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.

Cowboy Corral, 6250 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater, received a warning for 23 violations including the presence of pesticide strips in the food preparation area, storing raw food over ready-to-eat food and operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.

Boston Market at 4001 E. Bay Drive, Clearwater, received a warning for 18 violations including the presence of flies in the food preparation area and dining room, storing rotisserie chicken at an unsafe temperature and having an outdated food product.

Boathouse Restaurant, 6300 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, received a warning for 15 violations including storing raw shrimp over cooked sausage in the walk-in freezer, having an employee handle clean dishes without washing his hands and storing food at unsafe temperatures.

All violations have been corrected.

Additionally, 27 restaurants passed their first inspections with no violations including Deez Dawgz, 6657 49 St. N., Pinellas Park; Elijah's Place, 360 Skinner Blvd., Dunedin, and Sips Wine Bar, 327 Main St., Safety Harbor.