Rodent droppings temporarily close two Sarasota area restaurants, other inspections

Staff report
·10 min read

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 and food trucks, listed in alphabetical order, passed their inspections March 10-16 with zero violations:

  • 941tacos, 2801 14th St. W. Ste A, Bradenton

  • Arby's, 5980 Cattle Ridge Blvd., Sarasota

  • Big Blue Grilled Cheese Company, 400 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota

  • Birria Station, 1674 University Parkway, Sarasota

  • Casa Patron Mexican Kitchen, 4000 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota

  • CoolToday Park (multiple establishments), 18800 S. West Villages Parkway, Venice

  • Garcia Manuel Duran, 6547 Gateway Ave., Sarasota

  • German Food Trailer, 2700 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota

  • Golf Lakes Residents Association, 5050 Fifth St. E., Bradenton

  • Junior Tasty Delights, 2801 14th St. W. Ste A, Bradenton

  • LobsterCraft, 6609 Superior Ave., Sarasota

  • Miss Empanadas y Mas, 3401 14th St. W., Bradenton

  • Sonic Drive-In, 8803 U.S. Highway 301, Parrish

  • Tacos El Costeño, 3005 S. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota

  • Taqueria Mendoza, 2801 14th St. W. Ste A, Bradenton

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 March 10-16:

Eggstraordinary

2282 N. Tamiami Trail, Nokomis

March 14

Follow-up needed: Warning issued.

Seventeen total violations, with four high-priority violations:

  • High Priority - Establishment operating without a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator must obtain a public food service license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants within 60 days. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed cracked shell eggs stored over chicken salad in the stand-up reach-in cooler in the kitchen. The operator properly stored the egg mix. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed cooked corned beef (52F - cold holding); raw ground beef (64F - cold holding); cooked turkey (62F - cold holding); cooked ham (52F - cold holding) in a reach-in cooler on the cook line for an undetermined amount of time. The operator discarded the above foods. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked corned beef (52F - cold holding); raw ground beef (64F - cold holding); cooked turkey (62F - cold holding); cooked ham (52F - cold holding) in a reach-in cooler on the cook line for an undetermined amount of time. The operator discarded the above foods. **Corrected On-Site**

Grillsmith

6240 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

March 11

Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.

Seventeen total violations, with five high-priority violations:

  • High Priority - Food stored in ice used for drinks. See stop sale. Observed a wine bottle stored in ice for drinks behind the bar. The operator discarded the ice surrounding the bottle. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Stop sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed a wine bottle stored in ice for drinks behind the bar. The operator discarded the ice surrounding the bottle. **Corrected On-Site**

  • High Priority - Stop sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed guacamole (47F - cold holding) in the salad/dessert reach-in cooler. The operator stated the guacamole has been held overnight. The operator discarded the guacamole. **Corrected On-Site** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed guacamole (47F - cold holding) in the salad/dessert reach-in cooler. The operator stated the guacamole has been held overnight. The operator discarded the guacamole **Corrected On-Site** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed a sanitizer spray bottle stored hanging near liquor bottles behind the bar. The operator properly stored the spray bottle. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

Southgate Local

2119 Siesta Drive, Sarasota

March 12

Follow-up needed: Warning issued.

Three total violations, with one high-priority violation:

  • High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the manager. **Repeat Violation**

Sandcastle Resort

1540 Benjamin Franklin Drive, Sarasota

March 13

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. Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer reading 00ppm chlorine. Sanitizer solution bucket was empty, manager replaced the sanitizer new reading 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Self-service salad bar/buffet lacking adequate sneezeguards or other proper protection from contamination. No sneeze guard over the pastries on the buffet line. Manager removed the pastries. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

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 March 10-16:

Fifty Three Fifty The Pourhouse

5350 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach

March 14

Follow-up needed: Warning issued.

Three total violations, with one high-priority violation:

  • High Priority - Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. Apples on display counter, not individually wrapped. Operator removed apples, washed and individually wrapped. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

Gecko’s Grill & Pub

4310 S.R. 64 E., Bradenton

March 13

Follow-up needed: Administrative complaint recommended.

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 back kitchen area walk-in cooler raw bacon over cooked sliced turkey and cooked roast beef. Educated person in charge on safe refrigerator storage and emailed person in charge a copy of the handout. Person in charge removed raw bacon. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in reach-in cooler in salad make station area chicken salad (47F - cold holding); hard-boiled eggs (48F - cold holding.) Person in charge stated that the food product had been in the reach-in cooler for approximately 1.5 hours and placed ice on food items and called for repair. **Corrective Action Taken**

Nonna's Pizza

7604 Cortez Road W. #10, Bradenton

March 14

Emergency order recommended: Facility temporarily closed.

Eight total violations, with two high-priority violations:

  • High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 50 rodent droppings under dry food storage shelves in dry storage area. Observed approximately 40 rodent droppings around water heater in dry storage area. Observed approximately 6 rodent droppings on a plate in the dry storage area. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottles of bleach stored next to food in the dry storage area. Owner removed the bleach. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

Nonna's Pizza

7604 Cortez Road W. #10, Bradenton

March 15

Emergency order callback complied. Met inspection standards.

Salt Bar and Table

2519 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach

March 14

Follow-up needed: Warning issued.

Ten total violations, with three high-priority violations:

  • High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed a bottle of liquid bandage stored above the left side prep table. Operator removed the bottle. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored above milk in the right side reach-in cooler. Operator removed the eggs. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed multiple sanitizer buckets stored on the ground in the establishment. Operator placed these buckets in a bucket. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

Siam Thai Bistro

5763 Manatee Ave W., Bradenton

March 12

Emergency order recommended: Facility temporarily closed.

Seven total violations, with three high-priority violations:

  • High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Observed operator crack raw shell eggs then touch clean utensils. Informed operator of proper method and had her change gloves and wash hands. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored over washed vegetables in the standing reach-in cooler. Operator placed eggs on the bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 12 rodent droppings under the reach-in coolers and freezers near the back door. Observed approximately 25 rodent droppings on the floor of the dry storage area. Dry storage area is positioned directly across the food prep area and the reach-in coolers are down a hallway near the back exit. **Warning**

Siam Thai Bistro

5763 Manatee Ave W., Bradenton

March 13

Emergency order callback complied. Met inspection standards.

Skinny's Place

3901 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach

March 14

Follow-up needed: Warning issued.

Eleven total violations, with two high-priority violations:

  • High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in the cook line make table: sliced tomatoes (50F - cold holding); beef (46F - cold holding); sliced cheese (50F - cold holding). Operator stated they had been out for approximately 30 minutes. Operator placed ice on items and lowered the temperature. Observed in the kitchen reach-in cooler: Chicken (46F - cold holding). Operator stated it had been there for approximately one hour. Operator placed bags of ice on it. **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 in a hot holding container in the kitchen: chili (110F - hot holding). Operator stated it had been out for approximately one hour. Operator turned up the heat. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**

Wilder's Slice of AMI

103 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach

March 11

Follow-up needed: Warning issued.

Eight total violations, with two high-priority violations:

  • High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed nonfood-grade bags in direct contact with cooked chicken wings in the walk in cooler. **Warning**

  • High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Viewed a expired license. Operator renewed the license during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**

  • High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs over ready-to-eat-cheese in the walk-in cooler. **Warning**

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Rodent droppings temporarily close two Sarasota area restaurants