Live roaches, rodent droppings temporarily close Sarasota restaurants, other inspections

Staff report
·16 min read
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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, food trucks or caterers, listed in alphabetical order, passed their inspections Nov. 26-Dec. 2 with zero violations:

  • Bagels on Pine, 425 Pine Ave., Anna Maria

  • Below 716, 3413 Cortez Rd W, Bradenton

  • Culture Coffee, 405 W. Dearborn St., Englewood

  • El Molcajetes, 901 10th St. E., Palmetto

  • Fresh Burger, 5483 Factory Shops Blvd., Ellenton

  • Guac N Roll, 14710 S.R. 64 E., Bradenton

  • Hermanos Escalonas, 1114 Whitfield Ave., Sarasota

  • JD's Hot Dogs, 6592 Superior Ave., Sarasota

  • Maple Street Biscuit Company, 2805 University Parkway, Sarasota

  • Paleteria y Heladeria Mexicana, 1308 Eighth Ave. W., Palmetto

  • Rolling Spirits, 4919 96th St. E., Palmetto

  • Rosedale Golf & Country Club, 5100 87th St. E., Bradenton

  • San Remo Pizza & Pasta, 1914 14th St. W., Bradenton

  • Sysco Foodie Truck, 3000 69th St. E., Palmetto

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 Nov. 26-Dec. 2:

Artur's Restaurant

70 N. Indiana Ave., Englewood

Nov. 28

Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.

Nine total violations, with three high-priority violations:

  • High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed spray bottle of Bacitracin on shelf above prep table. Observed operator remove medication for proper storage. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed butter with fresh chopped in it at end of cooks line on shelf temperature 52F. Observed employee return butter to reach-in cooler. Recheck temperature 30 minutes later 43F cold holding. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed can of WD-40 on shelf above prep table operator in the can for proper storage observed spray bottle, glass cleaner at front of cookline on the wait staff area by microwave. Repeat 8-14-23 **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Big Water Fish Market

6641 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota

Nov. 28

Follow-up needed: Warning issued.

Nine total violations, with one high-priority violation:

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef over cooked corned beef in center glass cooler.

Denny's

3701 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota

Nov. 29

Follow-up needed: Warning issued.

Eight total violations, with two high-priority violations:

  • 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 dishwashing machine at 25ppm or less after several attempts. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Employee rubbed hands together for less than 10-15 seconds while washing hands. Observed cook washing hands for less than 10 seconds. Cook rewashed hands after education. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

Il Panificio

1703 Main St., Sarasota

Nov. 27

Emergency order recommended: Facility temporarily closed.

Five total violations, with two high-priority violations:

High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed four live roaches, one behind soda machine, two behind front counter, and one in front of counter. Operator stated pest control was out earlier this morning. **Warning**High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in glass front reach-in cooler cold holding meatballs 48F, chicken 49F

Il Panificio

1703 Main St., Sarasota

Nov. 28

Emergency order callback complied. Met inspection standards.

Knick’s Tavern

1818 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota

Nov. 30

Emergency order recommended: Facility temporarily closed.

Seven total violations, with two high-priority violations:

  • High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed eight live roaches in oven on cook line. Employee stated they do not use that oven. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed two bottles of Windex stored on top of refrigerator next to dried pastas. Employee relocated. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

Knick’s Tavern

1818 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota

Dec. 1

Emergency order callback time extension. Follow-up inspection required.

  • High Priority - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-01: Observed no activity of roaches. **Time Extended**

Myakka Pines Golf Club

2550 S. River Road, Englewood

Nov. 30

Follow-up needed: Warning issued.

Six total violations, with two high-priority violations:

  • High Priority - Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Observed case of romaine lettuce that was moldy and rotting. Observed operator dispose of lettuce. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer — not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw beef patties over cooked sausage in walk-in cooler. Observed operator move beef to lower shelf. Observed raw shell eggs over salad dressing. Observed operator move eggs to lower shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

Paradise Grill

1097 N. Tamiami Trail, Nokomis

Nov. 30

Follow-up needed: Warning issued.

Fourteen total violations, with two high-priority violations:

  • High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed cooked meatloaf (55F - cooling) date marked 11/29; cooked rice date marked 11/28 (54F - cooling); cooked pot roast date marked 11/27 (49F - cooling); cooked chicken date marked 11/29 (47F - cooling) in the walk-in cooler. The operator discarded the above food products. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds seven days after opening/preparation. Observed cooked pork date marked 11/20 in the walk-in cooler. The operator discarded the cooked pork. **Corrected On-Site**

Paradise Grill

1097 N. Tamiami Trail, Nokomis

Dec. 1

Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.

Rico’s Pizzeria & Pasta House

5131 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

Nov. 30

Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.

Seven total violations, with two high-priority violations:

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw eggs stored over ready-to-eat cut tomatoes and lettuce in the reach-in cooler in the back prep area. Operator removed eggs. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 15 rodent droppings on the floor of the dry storage area. No food present in this area. Operators cleaned and mopped the area. **Corrective Action Taken** **Admin Complaint**

Rico’s Pizzeria & Pasta House

5131 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

Dec. 1

Call back — complied. Zero violations.

Sarasota Jungle Gardens

3701 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota

Nov. 28

Emergency order recommended: Facility temporarily closed.

Two violations, with one high-priority violation:

  • High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 50 rodent droppings on the floor of the back left storage area. Observed approximately 12 rodent droppings on the floor of the dry storage area. Observed approximately three rodent droppings on the floor of the food prep area. Observed approximately 20 rodent droppings on the floor of the front counter area. Operator has started sweeping and mopping the areas. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

Sarasota Jungle Gardens

3701 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota

Nov. 29

Call back — complied. Zero violations.

Valenti’s Ristorante

1200 E. Venice Ave., Venice

Nov. 29

Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.

Eighteen total violations, with four high-priority violations:

  • 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 the chlorine solution for the dishmachine empty and no replacement available in the establishment. The operator set up the three compartment sink for sanitization. **Corrective Action Taken**

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored over cut mushrooms in the walk-in cooler. The operator properly stored the raw shell eggs. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 20 rodent droppings in the dry storage area underneath the canned food storage rack and on shelving. The operator cleaned and discarded the droppings. **Corrected On-Site** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed demi glacé (60F - cold holding); butter (62F - cold holding) on the cook line. The operator stated the above items have been held for less than two hours. The operator placed the items in a reach-in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**

Valenti’s Ristorante

1200 E. Venice Ave., Venice

Nov. 30

Call back — extension given, pending. Follow-up inspection required.

Manatee 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 Nov. 26-Dec. 2:

Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Anna Maria Sound

12324 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

Nov. 30

Follow-up needed: Warning issued.

Five total violations, with two high-priority violations:

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in upright reach-in cooler in back area of kitchen raw beef and chicken over cheese. Educated person in charge on raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Person in charge removed chicken and beef. Emailed person in charge safe refrigerator storage hand out. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on buffet line sliced cheese (57F - cold holding); sliced turkey (58F - cold holding); cut fruit (56F - cold holding); sliced ham (58F - cold holding); cream cheese (62F - cold holding); butter (64F - cold holding) time 8:45 a.m. Person in charge stated all the food was placed on line at 6:30 a.m. Person in charge removed all and placed in walk-in cooler. Educated person in charge on time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Emailed person in charge time as a public health handout. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

IMG Academy Golf Club

4350 El Conquistador Parkway, Bradenton

Nov. 28

Follow-up needed: Warning issued.

Twelve total violations, with six high-priority violations:

  • High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours. Observed in walk-in cooler in main kitchen area cooked scrambled eggs (82F - cooling); cooked potatoes (87F - cooling) 1:30 p.m. Person in charge stated they were put in the walk-in cooler at 9:30 a.m. Educated person in charge on cooling procedures and emailed handout to person in charge. Person in charge voluntarily discarded all items. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed in main kitchen area in reach-in cooler next to grill raw ground beef and raw sausage over seafood. Educated person in charge on safe refrigerator storage and emailed person in charge handout. Person in charge removed raw ground beef and sausage. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds seven days after opening/preparation. Observed in walk-in cooler and reach-in cooler in main kitchen area beer cheese date marked 11/16/23, in house made blue cheese dressing and ranch dressing date marked 11/11/23, marinara date marked 11/18/23, beef chili date marked 11/21/23 and alfredo sauce date marked 11/18/23. Educated person in charge on ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds seven days after opening/preparation. Person in charge voluntarily discarded all food items. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Stop sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed in walk-in cooler and reach-in cooler in main kitchen area beer cheese date marked 11/16/23, in house made blue cheese dressing and ranch dressing date marked 11/11/23, marinara date marked 11/18/23, beef chili date marked 11/21/23 and alfredo sauce date marked 11/18/23. Educated person in charge on ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds seven days after opening/preparation. Person in charge voluntarily discarded all food items. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed in walk-in cooler in main kitchen area cooked scrambled eggs (82F - cooling); cooked potatoes (87F - cooling) 1:30 p.m. Person in charge stated they were put in the walk-in cooler at 9:30 a.m. Educated person in charge on cooling procedures and emailed handout to person in charge. Person in charge voluntarily discarded all items. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in main kitchen cheese on counter at 52F. Person in charge stated it had been out for approximately one hour and placed in reach-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

Keke's Breakfast Cafe

1121 Cortez Road W., Bradenton

Dec. 2

Follow-up needed: Warning issued.

Five total violations, with one high-priority violation:

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Turkey (49F - cold holding); sliced tomatoes (50F - cold holding); cooked chicken (48F - cold holding); cheese (50F - cold holding); ham (48F - cold holding). Person in charge stated the cooler was not working properly and called for repair. Person in charge stated that the food product had been in the refrigerator for approximately 1.5 hours. Person in charge moved all to another reach-in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

KFC

6440 E. S.R. 64, Bradenton

Nov. 27

Follow-up needed: Warning issued.

Six total violations, with one high-priority violation:

  • High Priority - Raw sewage on ground of establishment at lift station. Please note it is not in any area where public has access. **Warning**

KFC

6440 E. S.R. 64, Bradenton

Nov. 28

Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.

Lucky Pelican Bistro

6239 Lake Osprey Drive, Sarasota

Nov. 29

Follow-up needed: Warning issued.

Thirteen total violations, with three high-priority violations:

  • 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 dishmachine chlorine at 0ppm. Operator called Ecolab and switched to the triple sink. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed a sanitizer bucket on the floor of the front counter area. Operator placed bucket on a shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Warewashing sanitizing solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed. Observed the triple sink at 450ppm quaternary. Operator corrected it to 200ppm quaternary. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

Stone Bowl Pan Asian

5516 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

Nov. 29

Follow-up needed: Warning issued.

Sixteen total violations, with four high-priority violations:

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in walk-in cooler raw chicken over soy sauce. Educated person in charge on safe refrigerator storage and emailed person in charge a copy of handout in English, Spanish and Chinese. Person in charge removed raw chicken. Observed in walk-in cooler raw chicken over pickled ginger. Educated person in charge on safe refrigerator storage and emailed person in charge a copy of handout in English, Spanish and Chinese. Person in charge removed raw chicken. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Shell eggs in use or stored with cracks or broken shells. See stop sale. Observed in front kitchen area four cracked raw shell eggs. Educated person in charge on shell eggs in use or stored with cracks or broken shells. Person in charge voluntarily discarded shell eggs. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed in front sushi area employee grabbed waste receptacle with gloves on and grabbed sushi with same gloves on and put on plate to serve. Educated person in charge on glove use and handwashing. Employee discarded sushi rolls, removed soiled gloves, washed hands and put on clean gloves. Observed in back kitchen area employee with gloves on placed soiled dishes in dish machine and grabbed clean dishes and failed to remove soiled gloves and wash hands. Educated person in charge on glove use and handwashing procedures. Employee put soiled dishes in dish machine, removed soiled gloves, washed hands and put on clean gloves. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Stop sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed in front sushi area employee grabbed waste receptacle with gloves on and grabbed sushi with same gloves on and put on plate to serve. Educated person in charge on glove use and handwashing. Employee discarded sushi rolls, removed soiled gloves, washed hands and put on clean gloves. **Warning**

Stone Bowl Pan Asian

5516 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

Nov. 30

Call back — complied. Met inspection standards.

Takos Cantina

5770 Ranch Lake Blvd. #116, Bradenton

Nov. 29

Follow-up needed: Warning issued.

Fourteen total violations, with two high-priority violations:

  • High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed employee handling soiled towels, dishware, utensils and then handled ready-to-eat food without changing gloves or washing hands. Operator coached employee. **Corrective Action Taken**

  • High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed mop sink without a vacuum breaker. **Repeat Violation**

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Live roaches, rodent droppings temporarily close Sarasota restaurants