Restaurant Inspections: Rodent Gnaw Marks

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, evidence of rodents and improper food storage were among the biggest reasons behind the temporary closings. In its Emergency Closures report for the week ending July 30, the state noted these local restaurants had been ordered shut until they cleaned up their acts:

Tampa

Holy Hog Barbecue, 11417 N. Dale Mabry Highway

• Initial inspection date – July 26
• High priority violations – 1
• Intermediate violations – 2
• Basic violations – 10

The state’s inspector noted such concerns as a cutting board that was “no longer cleanable,” a hole in the wall and a dirty oven. Potentially hazardous food storage practices also raised a red flag as did the discovery of live roaches. The inspector noted finding six live critters near a mop sink, more under the dish machine and a few more in the kitchen. The inspector returned the next day and found the eatery was up to state standards.

Aramark Corp. at JP Morgan-Highland Oaks, 10420 Highland Manor Drive

• Initial inspection date – July 24
• High priority violations – 2
• Intermediate violations – 1
• Basic violations – 11

A dirty floor, failure to show proof of state-required employee training and lime scale in the dish machine all raised red flags. The inspector also noted the discovery of dead roaches in the kitchen, under the cooks’ line, under a pizza station and in front of the sandwich station. Dented/rusted cans also caused concern as did the discovery of live roaches. The inspector noted finding four live roaches on the clean dish rack in the kitchen. More roaches were found near a sink and above the walk-in cooler, the state’s report said. The establishment failed to meet state standards during a repeat visit on July 24, but did pass on July 25.

Safety Harbor

Southern Fresh, 122 Third Ave. N.

• Initial inspection date – July 25
• High priority violations – 4
• Intermediate violations – 3
• Basic violations – 18

Dirty floors, a leaky pipe and the discovery of dead roaches all earned the establishment basic violations. The state inspector noted flying insects in the bathroom and potentially hazardous food storage conditions among the highest priority issues. Live roaches also created problems. The inspector found 11 live creatures behind a small fridge at the cook line. Other critters were spotted on a wall, under a box of gloves on the cook line and on the outside of a bulk container of flour. The inspector returned on July 26 and noted improved conditions, but the need for a return visit. That visit had not been recorded as of Aug. 1, state records show.

Athens Restaurant, 226 Main St.

• Initial inspection date – July 27
• High priority violations – 3
• Intermediate violations – 0
• Basic violations – 5

The inspector noted such concerns as a hole in the wall, improper sanitizer strength for dishes and improper food storage. The discovery of a live rodent stuck to a glue trap on the floor of a food storage room, however, caused red flags to go up, The inspector also noted finding rodent droppings on the floor and on shelving. Gnaw marks were also found on a pipe in the food storage room. The inspector made a return visit on July 28. The eatery met state standards during that visit, records show.

Check out these stories to read other recent inspection reports:

• Restaurant Inspections: Rodent Poop On Buffet
• Restaurant Inspections: Leaky Ceiling Drips On Food
• Restaurant Inspections: Roaches In Onion Crate

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