Florida’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants routinely inspects restaurants, food trucks and other food service establishments for public health and cleanliness issues. The reports are public information.
During the most recent inspections in Manatee County, several restaurants were cited for unclean equipment and surfaces.
Other problems at Bradenton-area restaurants included flies on site and unsafe food temperatures.
Here is what inspectors found:
Domino’s Pizza, 14640 S.R. 70 E., Lakewood Ranch
- Laundry detergent was stored on top of a slicer blade. Corrective action was taken.
- A manager or person in charge lacked proof of food manager certification. The food service manager had also not been certified within 30 days of employment, according to an inspector.
- There was no certified food manager for the establishment and no list of certified individuals.
- A wall in the mop sink area was soiled.
- A bag of cornmeal was stored on the floor in a drive-thru and prep area. Corrective action was taken.
- An employee was drinking in a food preparation area or other restricted area.
- An employee beverage was stored in a food prep or other restricted area.
- A follow-up inspection was required.
JoJo’s Tastes of Chicago, 12345 U.S. 301 N., Parrish
- An inspector observed a soda machine ice chute soiled with a mold-like substance in a server area.
- There was an accumulation of a black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
- An inspector reported smelling an objectionable odor in a mop sink room. Corrective action was taken. A restaurant operator made plans to deep clean the area.
- Hood filters above a pizza oven were soiled with grease.
- An air conditioning vent above a prep table was soiled with dust.
- Floors under fryers and an oven in the kitchen were soiled with food debris and trash, according to an inspector.
- An employee beverage was stored on a prep table. Corrective action was taken.
- The restaurant met inspection standards.
Wendy’s, 11727 S.R. 70 E., Bradenton
- An inspector observed three live, flying insects in a dishwashing area. Corrective action was taken. A restaurant operator said that they would contact pest control.
- A glove was stored in an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
- A wall adjacent to a dishwashing area was soiled with accumulated grease, food debris and/or dust.
- The interiors and exteriors of multiple floor drains were soiled, according to an inspector.
- Tea bags were stored in an uncovered container. Corrective action was taken.
- Frozen airy beverage mix was stored on the floor of a walk-in cooler. Corrective action was taken.
- A walk-in freezer floor was soiled. Corrective action was taken.
- The restaurant met inspection standards.
Gecko’s Grill & Pub, 7228 55th Ave. E., Bradenton
- Shrimp and grouper were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. Corrective action was taken. The items were iced down.
- Required food safety training was expired for four employees.
- Items were blocking access to an employee handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.
- A can opener blade was soiled.
- Walk-in freezer and walk-in cooler fan covers were soiled.
- There was a buildup of grease on the kitchen floor and on and under equipment, according to an inspector.
- Two cases of food were stored on a walk-in freezer floor. Corrective action was taken.
- A back kitchen door had a gap at the threshold that opened to the outside.
- There was a heavy buildup of dust on ceiling vents above a dishwashing area and dust buildup on ceiling tiles above the cook line.
- The restaurant met inspection standards.
Editor’s Note: According to the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, these reports are a “snapshot” of the conditions present at the time of the inspection and are public record. The agency is required to inspect every licensed restaurant at least once per year, but new and “high-risk” establishments tend to be inspected more frequently.
When an emergency shutdown order is given by an inspector, it must first be reviewed and approved by agency supervisors. In order for a business to reopen, an inspector will continue visiting the establishment daily until compliance is met. Some citations may include a financial penalty. Inspectors may also respond to complaints, which can be filed here.
The Bradenton Herald’s weekly dirty dining reports list restaurants where inspectors found issues that might concern the average diner — such as unsafe food temperatures, employee handwashing issues or moldy drink machines — regardless of whether or not the businesses passed inspection.
