Restaurant Inspections: Rodent Droppings, Roaches, Dirty Conditions

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, rodent droppings and improper food storage were among the biggest reasons behind the temporary closings. In its Emergency Closures report for the week ending Sept. 24, the state noted these local restaurants had been ordered shut until they cleaned up their acts:

Tampa

Gyroland, 3313 N. Nebraska Ave.

• Initial inspection date – Sept. 23
• High priority violations – 6
• Intermediate violations – 6
• Basic violations – 33

An unreported increase in seating, dirty conditions and the storage of equipment in the dining area all caught the inspector’s attention. Raw animal food not separated from ready-to-eat items and the discovery of live roaches also raised red flags here. The inspector noted live roaches on the floor, a wall and on and near the reach-in cooler. Roach droppings were also found. The eatery failed a follow-up inspection on Sept. 24 and another on Sept. 26.

Ruskin

Kentucky Fried Chicken, 3102 E. College Ave.

• Initial inspection date – Sept. 23
• High priority violations – 3
• Intermediate violations – 1
• Basic violations – 6

A hole in the wall, a buildup of food debris and equipment in poor repair all caught the inspector’s attention. So, too, did the discovery of food stored at temperatures warmer than deemed safe and the presence of live roaches. Eight roaches were found on a wall by the prep table, two under the ice machine, a few in a wall and others in such areas as the women’s restroom. Roach droppings were also found in a hole in the wall behind a prep table. The eatery met state standards during a return inspection on Sept. 24.

Holiday

Hideaway, 1402 Alt. 19

• Initial inspection date – Sept. 19
• High priority violations – 2
• Intermediate violations – 6
• Basic violations – 9

A dirty kitchen floor, crusty can opener blade and improper food storage concerns all caught the inspector’s attention. An expired license and the discovery of rodent droppings, however, were the biggest concerns. About 10 dry rodent droppings were found by the coffee station, eight near a hand washing sink, seven soft and most “on glass in reach-in cooler sliding door tracks,” and 10 to 15 next to the water heater. The inspector also noted “too many to count soft and dry droppings under box sodas rack.” The establishment met state standards during a second inspection on Sept. 20.

Lakeland

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

• Initial inspection date: Sept. 22
• High priority violations – 2
• Intermedia violations – 1
• Basic violations – 0

Improper storage of raw animal foods and a dirty reach-in cooler were causes for concern here. The discovery of live roaches on the cook line and under a sink also raised red flags. The inspector noted finding about 15 to 20 crawling critters behind a chest freezer next to the mixer. The establishment met state standards during a Sept. 22 follow-up visit.

Image via Shutterstock