These 10 Bradenton-area restaurants earned poor scores from Florida health inspectors

Ryan Ballogg
·5 min read

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.

Here are restaurants that failed to meet requirements during recent inspections:

Basil’s Chicken & Ribs, 5210 S.R. 64, Bradenton — Inspected July 25

  • High priority: The business was operating with an expired license.

  • Intermediate: No chemical test kit was at hand to measure sanitizer in use for dishes or wiping cloths.

  • Basic violations: An inspector noted three basic violations, including grease and mold on equipment.

Checkers, 5220 15th St. E., Bradenton — Inspected July 24

  • High priority: Shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes and sliced cheese that were supposed to be monitored using time as public health control had no time marking, and the time that the food was removed from temperature control could not be determined. A stop sale was issued and the food was discarded.

  • Intermediate: The establishment had no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment.

  • Intermediate: No paper towels or mechanical hand-drying device were provided at a handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.

  • Basic violations: An inspector noted three basic violations, including mold-like substance in an ice bin or machine and a food employee who was not wearing a beard guard.

  • The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit on July 25.

China Gourmet, 4278 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton — Inspected July 28

  • Intermediate: Required food safety training was expired for all employees.

  • Intermediate: An employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Corrective action was taken.

  • Basic violations: An inspector noted four basic violations, including an employee without a hair restraint and unclean kitchen equipment.

Cumex Tropical Grill, 5704 14th St. W., Bradenton (Food truck) — Inspected July 27

  • Intermediate: There was no proof of required food safety training for any employees.

  • Intermediate: The establishment had no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment.

  • Intermediate: No chemical test kit was at hand to measure the strength of sanitizer in use for warewashing and/or wiping cloths.

  • Intermediate: There was no proof provided that food employees were informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.

Lorraine Lakes Town Center, 16455 Silver Sky Circle, Lakewood Ranch — Inspected July 25

  • Intermediate: The establishment had no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment.

  • Intermediate: There was no proof provided that food employees were informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.

  • The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit on July 26.

Mr. & Mrs. Crab, 497 Cortez Road W., Bradenton — Inspected July 27

  • High priority: Dishmachine sanitizer was not at the proper minimum strength. Corrective action was taken. A person in charge set up manual warewashing and placed a service call for the machine.

  • High priority: Raw shell eggs were stored over unwashed produce. Corrective action was taken.

  • High priority: Raw shrimp was stored over ready-to-eat hard-boiled eggs. Corrective action was taken.

  • Intermediate: The restaurant was not keeping shellfish tags on file for 90 days.

  • Intermediate: There was no proof provided that food employees were informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.

  • Intermediate: A spray bottle containing a toxic substance was not labeled. Corrective action was taken.

  • Intermediate: Required food safety training was expired for some employees.

Origin Craft Beer & Pizza Cafe UTC, 8193 Tourist Center Dr., Bradenton — Inspected July 24

  • Intermediate: There was no proof of required state-approved food safety training for any employees.

  • Intermediate: The establishment had no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment.

  • Intermediate: There was no proof provided that food employees were informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.

  • Basic violations: An inspector noted four basic violations, including food stored on the floor and employee drinks on food prep surfaces.

Tacos el Guero, 835 301 Blvd. E., Bradenton (Food truck) — Inspected July 25

  • Intermediate: The establishment had no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment.

  • Intermediate: There was no proof provided that food employees were informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.

  • Basic violations: An inspector noted two basic violations, including drinks stored on the floor.

Tacos el Guero, 6008 15th St. E., Bradenton (Food truck) — Inspected July 25

  • Intermediate: The establishment had no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment.

  • Intermediate: There was no proof provided that food employees were informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.

  • Basic violations: An inspector noted two basic violations, including greasy equipment and surfaces.

Eleni Pizza Works, 6711 15th St. E., Sarasota — Inspected July 25

  • High priority: Ready-to-eat foods (hamburger, alfredo sauce, chicken noodle soup and sausage) were labeled as more than seven days old.

  • High priority: Cooked chicken breasts were hot held at a temperature less than 135 degrees. A stop sale was issued due to temperature abuse, and the food was discarded.

  • High priority: Grease cleaner and grill cleaner were stored next to cooking oil under a cooking station and grill.

  • Intermediate: There was no proof provided that food employees were informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.

  • Basic violations: An inspector noted eight basic violations, including soiled walls and food stored on the floor.

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 at www.myfloridalicense.com.