State temporarily closes Leesburg restaurant; multiple violations noted
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Florida's restaurant owners are not required to post restaurant inspection results where guests can see them. So every week, we provide that information for you.
For a complete list of local restaurant inspections, including violations not requiring warnings or administrative action, visit our Lake County restaurant inspections site.
Here's the breakdown for recent health inspections in Lake County for the week of Feb. 12-18, 2024. Please note that some more recent, follow-up inspections may not be included here.
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.
For full restaurant inspection details, visit our Lake County restaurant inspection site.
Which Lake County restaurants got perfect scores on their health inspections?
These restaurants met all standards during their Feb. 12-18 inspections and no violations were found.
The Southern on 8, 801 W. Montrose St., Clermont
** Restaurants that failed an inspection and aced a follow-up inspection in the same week
Which Lake County restaurants were temporarily closed by inspectors?
These restaurants failed their Feb. 12-18 inspections and were temporarily closed. Follow-upinspections are required.
Ichiban Buffet
10301 U.S. 441, Leesburg
Complaint Inspection on Feb. 16
Facility Temporarily Closed: Operations ordered stopped until violations are corrected.
36 total violations, with 9 high-priority violations
High Priority - Employee washed hands with cold water. -Observed employee turn on cold water handle and wash hands. **Warning**
High Priority - Establishment open and serving food to the public in the presence of an imminent health hazard. **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food not separated from ready-to-eat food during preparation. Raw shell eggs stored behind carrots. **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. -Raw fish over crab salad in walk in cooler. -Raw chicken over cooked chicken. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Shell eggs in use or stored with cracks or broken shells. See stop sale. -1. **Warning**
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. -Employee rinsed dish and then worked with food. **Warning**
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. -Onion rings 1/2 pound. -Plantains 2 lbs. -Chicken on stick 25 pieces. -Eggrolls 30 pieces. -Chicken wings 15 pieces. -Crab Rangoon 30 pieces. -French fries 1/2 pound. -Chicken nuggets 2 pounds. -Fish 30 pieces. -Mushrooms 20 pieces. -Stuffed shrimp 10 pieces. -Baked cheese crab 1/2 pound. -Cheese pizza whole pie. -Pigs in a blanket 20 pieces. -Mussels 10 pieces. -Crawfish 30 pieces. -Shrimp 50 pieces. -Pudding 1/2 pan. -Jello 1/2 pan. -Pears 1/2 can. -Peaches 1/2 can. -Pineapple full pan. -Pineapple 10 pieces. -Oranges 20 pieces. -White fish 4 pieces. -Ham 4 pieces. -Teriyaki chicken 1/2 pound. -Honey chicken 2 pounds. -Clams 2 pounds. -Mixed vegetables 2 pounds. -Mushroom soup 1/2 gallon. -Egg soup 1 gallon. -Chicken wings 30 pieces. -Fried dumplings 40 pieces. -Potatoes 1/2 pound. -Fried rice 1/2 pound. -Cut lettuce 1 pound. -Caesar salad 1 pound. -Seafood salad 1 pound. -Crab meat salad 1/2 pound. -Broccoli salad 2 pounds. -Pasta salad 1 pound. -Coffee cake 30 pieces. -Macaroons 30 pieces. -Ice cream 8 gallons. -Sushi rolls 200 rolls. -Raw beef 4 pounds. -Chicken 2 pounds. -Crab meat 2 pounds. -Sprouts 1 pound. -Onions 1 pound. -Noodles 2 pounds. **Warning**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bleach by lemon juice at sushi bar. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Wiping cloth solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed stored in a location that could result in the cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Chl 200 ppm. **Warning**
Which Lake County restaurants had high priority violations?
China Star
668 E. Hwy 50, Clermont
Routine Inspection on Feb. 12
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
33 total violations, with 5 high-priority violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef stored over sauces in walk in cooler. Raw chicken over sauces in walk in cooler. Raw scallops over krab Rangoon in white reach in freezer. Open package of Raw chicken over cooked pork in freezer. **Warning**
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.Milk,49 f held more than four hours.Stop Sale. Fried chicken,52 f,egg roll,55 f,cooked chicken,54 f held less than four hours transferred to walk in cooler for a quick chill. Cabbage,62 f,noodles,51 f held less than four hours transferred to walk in cooler for a quick chill. **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit.Tapioca,91 f held less than four hours.Advised operator to use time as a public health control. **Warning**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Grill cleaner stored over meat grinder. **Warning**
China Star
668 E. Hwy 50, Clermont
Routine Inspection on Feb. 13
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
12 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef stored over sauces in walk in cooler. Raw chicken over sauces in walk in cooler. Raw scallops over krab Rangoon in white reach in freezer. Open package of Raw chicken over cooked pork in freezer. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-13: **Time Extended**
Ckch
17415 Seventh St., Montverde
Routine Inspection on Feb. 14
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
7 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Establishment operating with changed menu and/or increased seating without septic system approval for such change. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-14: **Time Extended**
Gators Dockside
1200 Oakley Seaver Drive, Clermont
Complaint Inspection on Feb. 14
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
30 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations
High Priority - On live small flying insect in back food storage area. **Warning**
High Priority - Raw chicken stored over raw ground beef in walk in cooler. **Warning**
High Priority - Raw shell eggs stored over tomatoes in walk in cooler. **Warning**
La Jibarita De Puerto Rico
470 State Road 50, Clermont
Routine Inspection on Feb. 13
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
17 total violations, with 5 high-priority violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken stored over unwashed vegetables in walk in cooler. Raw shell eggs stored over garlic in walk in cooler.
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature.Open package of raw chicken stored next open package of raw beef in reach in cooler.
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Mozzarella cheese, held less than 4 hours stated operator, 45 f at cooks line Sliced cheese, held less than 4 hours stated operator, 44 f at cooks line. Fresh garlic/oil mixture, held less than 4 hours stated operator, 67 f.Advised operator to use time as a public health control. **Warning**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Glass cleaner stored next to cup carriers. **Corrected On-Site**
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. At mop sink.
Mamma Rita's Pizzeria & Italian Grill LLC
7965 SR 50, Groveland
Routine Inspection on Feb. 15
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
34 total violations, with 7 high-priority violations
High Priority - Container of Pepto Bismol stored in walk in cooler. Tylenol stored on top of reach in cooler on cooks line. **Warning**
High Priority - Degreaser improperly stored next to BBQ sauce under the prep table on the cooks line. Chemical bottle stored over soda boxes in the soda storage area. **Warning**
High Priority - Employee put on hair net and then handled salad dressing soufflé cups without washing hands. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Raw bacon not properly separated from cheese in reach in cooler on cooks line. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
High Priority - Raw shell eggs next to unwashed onions in walk in cooler. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Sliced tomatoes 49 f, shredded lettuce 51 f, cheese 54 f, lettuce 49 f at the salad station by oven, and cut meatballs, 49 f, by pizza station all held less than four hours per operator. Transferred to walk in cooler for a quick chill. **Warning**
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. **Warning**
Ramshackle Cafe
1317 N. 14th St., Leesburg
Complaint Inspection on Feb. 12
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
18 total violations, with 3 high-priority violations
High Priority - Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. **Warning**
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. -Raw bacon over tomatoes in walk in cooler. **Warning**
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. -Grill cleaner over bread rack. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Sleep Inn Leesburg
2476 Citrus Blvd., Leesburg
Routine Inspection on Feb. 12
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
5 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Milk 49f. Less than 4 hours. Advised to rapid chill. **Warning**
The Southern on 8
801 W. Montrose St., Clermont
Routine Inspection on Feb. 14
Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public.
3 total violations, with 1 high-priority violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Per operator less than 4 hours. Moved to freezer to rapid chill. cooked squash (56F - Cold Holding); 2nd temp 42 cooked mushrooms (57F - Cold Holding)2nd temp 40; garlic butter (57F - Cold Holding);47 cooked onion (58F - Cold Holding) 43house made chorizo sauce (75F - Cold Holding) 42 **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-14: Cooked squash,42 f,cooked mushrooms,59 f ,cooked onions,54 garlic butter,42 f,chorizo sauce,44 f.Operator discarded the cooked mushrooms and cooked onions. **Time Extended**
What agency inspects restaurants in Florida?
Routine regulation and inspection of restaurants is conducted by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The Department of Health is responsible for investigation and control of food-borne illness outbreaks associated with all food establishments.
How do I report a dirty restaurant in Florida?
If you see abuses of state standards, report them and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation will send inspectors. Call the Florida DBPR at 850-487-1395 or report a restaurant for health violations online.
Get the whole story at our restaurant inspection database.
What does all that terminology in Florida restaurant inspections mean?
Basic violations are those considered against best practices.
A warning is issued after an inspector documents violations that must be corrected by a certain date or within a specified number of days from receipt of the inspection report.
An administrative complaint is a form of legal action taken by the division. Insufficient compliance after a warning, a pattern of repeat violations or existence of serious conditions that warrant immediate action may result in the division initiating an administrative complaint against the establishment. Says the division website: "Correcting the violations is important, but penalties may still result from violations corrected after the warning time was over."
An emergency order — when a restaurant is closed by the inspector — is based on an immediate threat to the public. Here, the Division of Hotels and Restaurants director has determined that the establishment must stop doing business and any division license is suspended to protect health, safety or welfare of the public.
A 24-hour call-back inspection will be performed after an emergency closure or suspension of license.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Leesburg area restaurant/food truck inspections: Feb. 12-18, 2024
