Live roaches, flies landing on food temporarily close Sarasota, Bradenton restaurants
Our digital database of restaurant health inspections is updated regularly with the latest information on which Sarasota, Bradenton and Venice area restaurants passed or failed.
You can use the database to search by Sarasota or Manatee County or by restaurant name. You can see which restaurants were fined and which were forced into temporary closure.
Disclaimer: The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation describes an inspection report as “a ‘snapshot’ of conditions present at the time of the inspection." On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in their most recent inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term conditions at the establishment.
Please note that some more recent, follow-up inspections may not be included here.
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Sarasota-Manatee best restaurant inspections
The following restaurants or food trucks, listed in alphabetical order, passed their inspections Dec. 10-16 with zero violations:
Annie's Bait & Tackle, 4334 127th St. W., Cortez
Charlie's Taqueria, 3250 Desoto Road, Sarasota
Cinema Cafe, 10715 Rodeo Drive Suite 8, Bradenton
Coastal Smash, 4132 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Esplanade at Azario Lakewood Ranch, 4044 Santa Caterina Blvd., Bradenton
La Gran Familia Vasquez Restaurant, 2604 14th St. W., Bradenton
McDonald's, 14655 S.R. 70 E., Bradenton
Sage, 1216 First St., Sarasota
Tsunami, 11627 State Road 70 E., Lakewood Ranch
Sarasota County restaurant inspections with high-priority violations:
The following restaurants, listed in alphabetical order, were issued warnings, recommended for administrative complaints or were temporarily closed due to failed inspections Dec. 10-16:
Best Western Plus Ambassador Suites
400 Commercial Court, Venice
Dec. 15
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Four total violations, with one high-priority violation:
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed an employee handle chemical spray bottles then handle English muffins without changing gloves. The operator discarded the English muffins.
China 1
1192 Jacaranda Blvd., Venice
Dec. 13
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
Seven total violations, with two high-priority violations:
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed a dented #10 can of ketchup in the dry storage area. The operator discarded the dented can. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs over a container with peas and carrots in the walk-in cooler. The operator properly stored the container with peas and carrots. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Der Dutchman
3713 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota
Dec. 12
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Eleven total violations, with seven high-priority violations:
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed a container of headache medicine stored over the cook line. Operator removed the container. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken eggs over ready-to-eat milk in the front bakery area. **Warning**
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed approximately one live roach on top of the dish machine in the warewashing area. Operators have been treated by Orkin within the past couple days. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the back kitchen prep area: Milk 75F cold holding. Operator stated it had been out for approximately one hour. Operator placed milk back in the fridge. Observed on the dining room tables: butter chips 70F cold holding. Operator stated they had been out for approximately 2 hours. Operator started to put butter into a reach-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food re-served to customers. Observed butter chips being reserved to customers. **Warning**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed multiple containers of dish soap and bleach spray bottle stored above and next to food items in the establishment. Operator removed items. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Der Dutchman
3713 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota
Dec. 13
Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.
Kendo
1657 U.S. 41 Bypass S., Venice
Dec. 13
Emergency order recommended: Facility temporarily closed.
Thirty-four total violations, with seven high-priority violations:
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. Observed container of white rice in walk-in cooler 56F employee stated it happened, prepared more than 24 hours prior. Observed operator voluntarily dispose of rice. Repeat 9-7-23 **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed dishwasher at 000 parts per million chlorine sanitizer. **Warning**
High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Observed jug of pesticide on floor at sushi bar area. **Warning**
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed live roaches at the following areas: Two live roaches at table eight, one live roach at table seven, two live roaches at table nine, three live roaches under hand wash sink in dining room, two live roaches by ice machine and clean glasses, 10 live roaches on counter and shelves at sushi bar, five live roaches under cooks line, eight live roaches in dry storage **Warning**
High Priority - Roach excrement and/or droppings and egg cases present in cabinets at sushi bar, hibachi tables, cabinets in dining room. **Warning**
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed container of white rice in walk-in cooler 56F employee stated it happened, prepared more than 24 hours prior. Observed operator voluntarily dispose of rice. Repeat 9-7-23 **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. See stop sale. Observed rice at sushi bar without time marked. Observed butter at cooks line not time marked. Employee stated items were placed out at 11 a.m. and then marked time on them. **Warning**
Kendo
1657 U.S. 41 Bypass S., Venice
Dec. 14
Emergency order callback not complied: Facility temporarily closed.
Fourteen total violations, with five high-priority violations:
High Priority - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-14: Observed container of white rice in walk-in cooler 51F. Per employee rice was prepared more than 12 hours prior. Observed operator voluntarily dispose of rice. **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-14: Observed dishwasher pouring sanitizer at 000 ppm **Time Extended**
High Priority - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-14: Observed live roaches in the following areas: one in storage hallway, one in employee restroom, two at back shelf area of sushi bar, one under cooks line **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-14: Observed roach excrement and droppings present in cabinets at sushi bar. **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-14: Observed container of white rice in walk-in cooler 51F. Per employee, rice was prepared more than 12 hours prior. Observed operator voluntarily dispose of rice. **Admin Complaint**
Kendo
1657 U.S. 41 Bypass S., Venice
Dec. 15
Emergency order callback not complied: Facility temporarily closed.
Nine total violations, with two high-priority violations:
High Priority - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-15: Observed dishwasher at 000 parts per million chlorine sanitizer. Observed operator set up three compartment sink for sanitizing **Time Extended**
High Priority - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-15: Observed live roaches at the following locations: one in dry storage area, two on shelf with clean pots at dishwasher area, one on top of wait staff reach-in cooler, five under cooks line, seven at sushi bar area, one under hibachi table. **Admin Complaint**
Namo Izakaya
1439 Main St., Sarasota
Dec. 12
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
Six total violations, with five high-priority violations:
High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee handled dirty dishes then clean dishes without washing their hands. Employees washed their hands and rewashed the dishes. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken stored over raw beef in the drawer reach-in cooler on the cook line. Manager removed the chicken. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer — not all products commercially packaged. Raw chicken not in the original packaging stored over raw salmon in the stand up reach-in cooler next to the cook line. Manager placed the chicken below the salmon. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Clear soy base soup (111F - hot holding); miso soup (110F - hot holding); stored in the heat well on the cook line. Manager stated the items had been in hot holding for approximately three hours. Manager voluntarily discarded the soups. **Corrective Action Taken**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottles containing cleaning fluid stored next to chicken soup base on the dry storage shelf in the kitchen. Manager removed the bottles. Containers of stainless steel polished stored next to bottles of wine on the dry storage shelf in the kitchen. Manager removed the polish. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Plaza Mexico Mariscos Mexican Restaurant Bar & Grill
405 U.S. 41 Bypass N., Venice
Dec. 12
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Seven total violations, with three high-priority violations:
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed aspirin bottle over food on top shelf of rack at cooks line. Observed operator remove aspirin. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 25 small flying insects at dishwasher area near trash can and dirty dishes. **Warning**
High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Observed cans of Raid bug spray in cabinet at wait staff service line. Observed operator remove pesticide. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Plaza Mexico Mariscos Mexican Restaurant Bar & Grill
405 U.S. 41 Bypass N., Venice
Dec. 13
Call back — complied. Zero violations.
Uncle Wen’s China Express
1100 N. Tuttle Ave. #11, Sarasota
Dec. 15
Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.
Eleven total violations, with five high-priority violations:
High Priority - Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Observed cabbage with white mold-like buildup in the walk-in cooler. Instructed operator to dispose of food. **Warning**
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw beef over unwashed produce in the walk-in cooler. Operator moved the beef. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Observed above the make table: ambient shell eggs (75F - cold holding). Operator stated they had been out for approximately 2 hours. Operator placed eggs in the reach-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the counters: chicken (65F - cold holding); beef (65F - cold holding). Operator stated it had been out for approximately 2 hours. Operator placed items in the walk-in cooler. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Manatee County restaurant inspections with high-priority violations:
The following restaurants or food trucks, listed in alphabetical order, were issued warnings, recommended for administrative complaints or were temporarily closed due to failed inspections Dec. 10-16:
Gecko's Grill & Pub
7228 55th Ave. E., Bradenton
Dec. 13
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Nine total violations, with four high-priority violations:
High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed in dish room area in main kitchen triple sink (quaternary 100ppm); triple sink (quaternary retested 300ppm); **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed cooked meatballs in walk-in cooler not date marked. Person in charge did not know when they were prepared and voluntarily discarded the meatballs. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in salad reach-in cooler: cut tomatoes (58F - cold holding); pico de gallo (52F - cold holding.) Observed in reach-in cooler on cooks line: fish (49F - cold holding); raw ground beef (52F - cold holding); pasta (55F - cold holding); pastrami (56F - cold holding); cooked vegetables (54F - cold holding.) Educated person in charge on time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Person in charge stated that all food products had been in the coolers for approximately one hour and placed all in walk-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on cooks line in main kitchen area: rice (90F - hot holding); black beans and corn (87F - cold holding.) Person in charge stated that it had been on the hot well for approximately 30 minutes. Observed rice start time 4:00 p.m. end time 4:20 p.m. (170F - reheating); black beans and corn start time 3:55 p.m. end time 4:15 p.m. (168F - reheating.) **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Haydee’s Restaurant
5803 15th St. E. Unit 3, Bradenton
Dec. 13
Emergency order recommended: Facility temporarily closed.
Eight total violations, with four high-priority violations:
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed in main kitchen area approximately 15 flies landing on food and single service containers. Observed in dining area approximately 10 flies. **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in main kitchen area in upright reach-in cooler raw pork over cheese. Educated person in charge on safe refrigerator storage and emailed person in charge a copy of the handout. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. Person in charge removed raw pork. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
High Priority - Sewage/wastewater backing up through floor drain in back kitchen area. Person in charge emptied three compartment sink and gray wastewater backed up in drain in back kitchen area. Please note it had an objectionable odor. **Warning**
High Priority - Stop sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed in main kitchen area flies landed on cheese on food table. Educated person in charge. Person in charge voluntarily discarded cheese. Observed in main kitchen area multiple flies landing on single service food containers. Educated person in charge. Person in charge voluntarily discarded single service food containers. **Warning**
Haydee’s Restaurant
5803 15th St. E. Unit 3, Bradenton
Dec. 14
Emergency order callback complied. Met inspection standards.
Thai Garden
7337 52nd Place E., Bradenton
Dec. 12
Follow-up needed: Warning issued.
Seven total violations, with two high-priority violations:
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed in main kitchen area sanitizer in 3cs over 200 ppm. Person in charge diluted and retested at 100ppm **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in reach-in cooler by exit door raw chicken over cooked noodles. Educated person in charge on safe refrigerator storage and emailed person in charge a copy of the handout. Person in charge removed chicken. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Live roaches, flies landing on food close Sarasota area restaurants
