Restaurant Inspections: Roaches Raise Red Flags

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

Roach activity, dirty conditions and rodent droppings were among the biggest reasons behind the temporary closings. In its Emergency Closures report for the week ending Feb. 4, the state noted these local restaurants had been ordered shut until they cleaned up their acts:

St. Petersburg

Hungry Howie’s, 3078 18th Ave. S.

• Initial inspection date – Jan. 31
• High priority violations – 2
• Intermediate violations – 1
• Basic violations – 17

The inspector noted such basic concerns as a hole in the wall, greasy surfaces and uncovered dumpsters. Roaches, however, were among the biggest red flags found. The state's report said six live roaches were found on the kitchen floor, three in an open box of takeout bags, four on a wall by the register and others scattered throughout the establishment. Roach droppings were also found as were dead roaches, including 23 by the soda cooler and back of the pizza make table. An egg sac was also found on a wooden counter that is used to hold a computer. The eatery failed to meet state standards during a follow-up inspection on Feb. 1, but did so later that same day.

Clearwater

First Class Concessions, 14501 Roosevelt Blvd., No. 12

• Initial inspection date – Feb. 2
• High priority violations – 4
• Intermediate violations – 2
• Basic violations – 9

A failure to provide hand-washing soap, rusty reach-in cooler shelving and potentially hazardous food storage practices were among the concerns noted by the state’s inspector. The biggest issue reported, however, involved the discovery of live and a few dead ones, too. The inspector noted finding about 30-35 live roaches under a dish machine and more by a sink and the cook line. Dead roaches were found in the dish area and one behind the bar. The establishment was temporarily closed, but was allowed to reopen after meeting state standards later that same day.

Wesley Chapel

Kwan Ming Bistro, 27607 State Road 56, Unit 105

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

An icy buildup in the walk-in freezer, no paper towels at a sink and potentially hazardous food storage practices all caught the inspector’s attention. The discovery of live roaches also raised red flags. Creeping creatures were found under a prep table, near the dish machine, under the sink and in the server area, among other places. The inspector also found dead roaches under a refrigerator, behind an oven and in the dish washing area. The eatery met state standards during a follow-up inspection conducted on Feb. 3, state records indicate.

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