Restaurant Inspections: Taco Bus Rodents, Dirty Dunkin’

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation ordered emergency closures at five 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 Aug. 6, the state noted these local restaurants had been ordered shut until they cleaned up their acts:

Tampa

Taco Bus, 1001 E. Hillsborough Ave.

• Initial inspection date – July 31
• High priority violations – 3
• Intermediate violations – 3
• Basic violations – 15

A bathroom door that wouldn’t close, the discovery of two dead rodents stuck to a sticky trap near the reach-in cooler and cracked floor tiles all caught the inspector’s attention. Raw chicken stored over ready-to-eat food also raised a red flag. The biggest concern, however, was uncovered when the inspector noted finding more than 30 rodent droppings near the air conditioning unit and roughly 10 more under dry storage racks. The inspector also found a rodent burrow next to the reach-in freezer, the state’s report noted. The eatery failed to pass a follow-up inspection on Aug. 1, but did so later that same day, according to state records.

St. Petersburg

Dunkin’ Donuts, 9991 Bay Pines Blvd.

• Initial inspection date – July 31
• High priority violations – 2
• Intermediate violations – 2
• Basic violations – 6

The state noted “unsanitary conditions” as the main reason behind this establishment’s temporary closing. During the initial July 31 visit, the inspector noted slime on walk-in cooler gaskets, milk stored on the floor of the cooler and a soil residue on the outside of the ice bin. In addition, standing water was found behind the front counter. Flying insects also created some major concerns. An estimated 75 flying insects were found in the doughnut area. “Employees and inspectors moved trays of donuts and flies flew from donuts into (the) cashier area,” the state’s report noted. The eatery failed to meet standards during a second inspection on July 31, but did so during a third that same day.

Dunedin

Restaurant One, 2632 Bayshore Blvd.

• Initial inspection date – Aug. 2
• High priority violations – 1
• Intermediate violations – 3
• Basic violations – 5

Dirty conditions, improper food storage, and rice and flour spilled on a shelf all raises red flags here. The inspector noted the biggest concern, however, was the discovery of live roaches. Dead roaches were also found. The eatery met state standards during a return visit on Aug. 3, state records show.

Largo

East Bay Country Club Restaurant, 702 Country Club Drive

• Initial inspection date – Aug. 1
• High priority violations – 4
• Intermediate violations – 5
• Basic violations – 19

The inspector noted more than a few concerns here, including dirty conditions, dead roaches and a hole in the wall. Improper food storage practices, a dirty slicer blade and a soiled soda gun also posed problems. The discovery of rodent rub marks and droppings, however, caused the biggest issue along with visual evidence of live roaches on the premises. The inspector noted finding rodent droppings under a dish washer, in a hand sink and under an oven. In addition, rodent poop was found under a prep table, in the ice machine storage area and several other places. While the establishment was shut down on Aug. 1, it met state standards the next day, records show.

New Port Richey

Estela’s Family Cantina, 5706 Main St.

• Initial inspection date – Aug. 3
• High priority violations – 6
• Intermediate violations – 8
• Basic violations – 21

Standing water on the floor, uncovered food and improper food storage practices all raised red flags. The inspector also noted a crusty can opener blade, an inaccessible hand washing sink and no paper towels for drying hands as concerns. One of the biggest issues, however, was the discovery of live roaches. Critters were found in a hole in the wall, under the prep table, under the oven and on the side of a freezer. The eatery failed a return inspection on Aug. 4, but met state standards on Aug. 7, according to records.

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: Roaches In Onion Crate

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