4 Bradenton area restaurants cited for major health violations
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, restaurants were cited for issues including live flies on site and raw meat stored over food.
Here is what inspectors found:
Duffy’s Sports Grill, 3005 University Parkway, Sarasota
An inspector observe approximately 12 live flying insects in a wait station. Some of the insects were landing on single-service cups. The cups were discarded.
Five pounds of pork loin, ranch sauce, dairy sauce, butter and coleslaw were cold held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees. A stop sale was issued for all of the items due to temperature abuse. The items were discarded.
An inspector observed an employee crack a raw shell egg and then fail to change gloves/wash hands. The employee then handled a clean plate. The inspector advised on proper handwashing procedure. Corrective action was taken.
A can of pineapple slices and a can of Dijon mustard were dented at the seams. Corrective action was taken. The cans were removed from service.
To-go containers were not stored inverted to prevent contamination. Corrective action was taken.
Reach-in cooler gaskets throughout the kitchen were soiled with food debris.
A rack of buns was not stored at least six inches off the floor. Corrective action was taken.
The restaurant’s current license was not displayed. Corrective action was taken.
There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice chute in a bar area.
A follow-up inspection was required.
During a follow-up visit two days later, an inspector again observed live flying insects on site. There were approximately seven flying bugs in a storage area, three in a wait station area and two in a bar area.
Another follow-up inspection was required.
Crager’s Restaurant, 7218 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Raw sausage patties were stored over cooked spaghetti in a reach-in cooler. Corrective action was taken.
Sour cream was cold held at a temperature greater than 41 degrees. Corrective action was taken.
Wiping cloth sanitizing solution exceeded the maximum concentration allowed. Corrective action was taken.
A mixer head and a can opener were soiled with food debris.
Employee training documents did not contain all required information. Corrective action was taken.
Open employee drinks were stored above food to be served to customers in a reach-in cooler.
No handwash sign was posted at a sink in the women’s restroom. Corrective action was taken.
Boxes of shortening and oil were stored on the floor.
A reach-in cooler was not maintaining proper temperatures for cold holding of food. Corrective action was taken. A restaurant operator removed all potentially hazardous food items from the cooler.
The ceiling was soiled above the cook line and throughout the kitchen, according to an inspector.
There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice machine.
The restaurant met inspection standards.
Dairy Queen, 7155 S.R. 70 E., Bradenton
Raw chicken was stored over ice cream mix in a walk-in freezer. Corrective action was taken.
The establishment was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
There was no proof of required food safety training for one or more employees.
Single-service items were not stored inverted to prevent contamination. Corrective action was taken.
Cutting boards had deep cut marks and were no longer cleanable.
Multiple ceiling tiles had water damage.
A follow-up inspection was required.
Wingstop, 3553 First St., Bradenton
An inspector observed an employee fail to wash hands before putting on gloves to work with food. Corrective action was taken.
The establishment was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Surfaces throughout the kitchen and cooling unit gaskets were soiled.
There was standing water on the floor of a walk-in cooler.
There was an accumulation of mold-like substance in an ice machine.
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 hand-washing issues or moldy drink machines — regardless of whether or not the businesses passed inspection.
