Bay County's January restaurant inspections: 26 fail first inspections

Ebonee Burrell, The News Herald
·4 min read

BAY COUNTY — Twenty-six Bay County eateries failed their first inspections during January, with three of those receiving administrative complaints. Seventeen restaurants passed first inspections with no violations, according to Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation restaurant inspection reports.

Administrative complaints

Persis Biryani Grill, 1818 W. 23rd St., received two violations that required a follow-up inspection and an administrative complaint Jan. 11. A high-priority violation was given after inspectors observed roach activity in the establishment. According to the report, seven dead roaches were found under the rice warmer table, nine dead roaches in the dry storage area and two live roaches were on an electrical outlet. The establishment failed the first inspection and was issued an administrative complaint that required a follow-up inspection.

In case you missed it:December restaurant inspections: 1 Bay County eatery temporarily closed, 14 failed

And:November inspections: 1 Bay County eatery temporarily closed, 7 others fail inspections

In all, the restaurant received eight total violations: two basic, three intermediate and three high priority. The facility was cited for nonfood contact surfaces soiled with food debris, cold foods held greater than 41 degrees, no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event and no paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at a handwash sink. The administrative complaint was cleared Jan. 13 when the restaurant met inspection standards.

Chans Wine World and Craft Bar, 15600 Panama City Beach Parkway Unit 180, received an administrative complaint Jan. 18, and nine violations that resulted in the failure of the first inspection. Inspectors noted the visit was a follow-up inspection from November when there was no proof of a food manager's certification for the person in charge. Inspectors issued an administrative complaint and required another follow-up inspection for the restaurant.

Other violations included ceiling tiles and vents soiled with food debris, clean utensils stored on a dirty rack, food contact surfaces soiled with food debris, sanitizer buckets stored with food, equipment or utensils, and floor tiles missing or in disrepair.

Café De Pearl, 204 Bluefish Drive, received five total violations that required a follow-up inspection and an administrative complaint Jan. 24. A high-priority violation was given because the restaurant was operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Inspectors noted the current displayed license expired June 1, 2022. Other violations included ready-to-eat foods not properly dated after opening, no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event and a handwashing sink used for purposes other than handwashing.

Most violations in the past 30 days

Meanwhile, two restaurants reached high violation counts in the past 30 days.

On Jan. 4, Patches Pub & Grill, 4723 Thomas Drive, received 13 violations with seven basic, four intermediate and two high priority. The high priority violations were for chlorine sanitizer not at a proper minimum strength for manual ware washing and nonfood grade containers used for food storage. Other violations included standing water in the floor drain, the floor area covered with standing water, a handwashing sink not accessible for employee use and food being cooled by a nonapproved method. Inspectors issued a warning and required a follow up inspection, and the restaurant met inspection standards Jan. 11.

Thai Basil Restaurant, 1001 Beck Ave., reached 11 violations: five basic, five intermediate and one high priority on Jan. 9. Some of the violations the establishment was cited for include the dish machine chlorine sanitizer not being at proper minimum strength, the menu not identifying which items might contain raw or undercooked foods and no paper towels or drying machine provided at a handwash sink. Although the restaurant reached a high violation count, the facility corrected the violations on-site and met inspection standards the same day.

Another failed 21 first inspections

Adding to the failed inspection list were 21 eateries that were issued warnings in the past 30 days: Shore Shack Pizza Joint, O’Charley’s #317 (311 E. 23rd St.), Downtown Slice House, Andy’s Flour Power Cafe and Bakery, Lone Star Boil House and Raw Bar, St. Andrews Slice House, First Watch, San Marco’s Mexican Grill, Sister’s Cafe, Taco Doctors, Tex’s Kitchen, Sake House II, Beef O’ Brady’s (842 N. Tyndall Parkway), Waffle House #68 (631 W. 15th St.), Taqueria Esmeralda, Wendy’s (610 W. 23rd St.), Panama Country Club, K Tacos, Vibez, Taqueria El Paisano on the Beach and Hidalgo’s Cuban Food.

Passed inspection with zero violations

Overall, 110 Bay County eateries passed first inspections, and these 17 establishments passed with zero violations:

  • Gypsy Kitchen & Catering

  • Homewood Suites (47 Chip Seal Parkway)

  • Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville

  • That’s What Cheese Said

  • Comfort Inn & Suites (17701 Panama City Beach Pkwy)

  • Doggie Style Hot Dogs

  • El Weirdo

  • Firehouse Subs #172 (669 W. 23rd St.)

  • Donovan’s

  • Comfort Inn & Suites (225 Richard Jackson Blvd.)

  • Dippin Dots Ice Cream

  • Hawthorn Suites (7909 Panama City Beach Parkway)

  • Your Pro Kitchen Panama City Beach

  • 850 Prep’d

  • Whiskey’s Saloon & Package Store

  • Muy Wayne O’s

  • The Barn at Wicked Wheel

For detailed Florida DBPR reports, visit https://data.pnj.com/restaurant-inspections/bay/.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: January restaurant inspections:26 fail first inspections in Bay County