Restaurant Inspections: Ant Infestation, Sewage Backup

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

Roach activity, dirty conditions and ants – lots of them – were among the biggest reasons behind the temporary closings. In its Emergency Closures report for the week ending Aug. 13, the state noted these local restaurants had been ordered shut until they cleaned up their acts:

Sarasota

Taco Bell, 855 S. Tamiami Trail

• Initial inspection date – Aug. 11
• High priority violations – 1
• Intermediate violation – 4
• Basic violations – 18

Broken floor tiles, holes in the wall and an objectionable odor in the kitchen all raised red flags here. That odor, the state’s report noted, was traced to sewage that was backing up through floor tiles on the cook line. Other concerns included dirty non-food-contact surfaces, a lack of cold running water at a sink and failure to display a current hotel/restaurant license. The fast-food eatery was temporarily closed, but was allowed to reopen later that same day. A follow-up inspection is required, state records show.

Tampa

Wings & Buckets, 7507 N. Armenia Ave.

• Initial inspection date – Aug. 7
• High priority violations – 4
• Intermediate violations – 3
• Basic violations – 13

The inspector noted a number of concerns here, including a dead roach “hanging on (a) wall" in the kitchen, a crusty can opener blade and dirty surfaces. Potentially hazardous food storage practices and the discovery of flying insects in the bar also raised red flags. The inspector noted finding live roaches in several areas in the eatery, including by the prep table and near a cooler. The establishment failed to meet state standards on a follow up inspection conducted on Aug. 7. After two return visits by the inspector on Aug. 8, the restaurant met state standards, records show.

Blue Island Grill & Lounge, 2202 W. Waters Ave.

• Initial inspection date – Aug. 10
• High priority violations – 2
• Intermediate violations – 2
• Basic violations – 9

A leaky sink, dirty toaster oven and the discovery of dead roaches in the kitchen all caused concerns for the inspector. The presence of live roaches near a sink, on a baseboard and on walls near the cook line, however, raised the biggest red flag. The inspector ordered the eatery to close on Aug. 10, but noted it met state standards during a return visit the next day.

Clearwater

Dunkin’ Donuts, 2451 N. McMullen Booth Road

• Initial inspection date – Aug. 9
• High priority violations – 3
• Intermediate violations – 6
• Basic violations – 16

A dirty bathroom, soiled floors and improper food storage practices all caused concerns for the inspector. Dozens of ants found throughout the eatery, however, caused the biggest red flag to go up. The state inspector noted finding about 30 ants inside a hand skin, 10 on the front counter, 30 at the syrup station and about 50 more on a food prep table. Ten ants were also found crawling “on trays with donuts at the front counter area,” the report noted. The establishment was ordered to shut down on Aug. 9. The inspector returned three times on Aug. 10 before the eatery was allowed to reopen. The state’s report noted a need for another follow-up inspection.

Check out these stories to read other recent inspection reports:

• Restaurant Inspections: Rodent Gnaw Marks
• Restaurant Inspections: Rodent Poop On Buffet
• Restaurant Inspections: Leaky Ceiling Drips On Food
• Restaurant Inspections: Taco Bus Rodents, Dirty Dunkin’

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