Two Polk restaurants closed by inspectors: 1 for roaches, another for construction issues
Two Polk County restaurants were temporarily shut down by inspectors in the two weeks from April 8 to 21, according to state inspection reports.
One involved live roaches. The other had construction-related issues during a remodel.
Of 39 total inspections during the period, 34 met standards and 12 had perfect initial inspections – or inspections that aren’t mandated by violations in a previous visit. Only one restaurant, the one cited below, had a violation related to insects or rodents.
Of the five restaurants that failed to meet standards, there were 17 violations between them, three of which were clerical in nature – lacking certification, expired license or no training for employees. All five were brick-and-mortar restaurants.
Search for yourself: See inspection reports for any restaurant in Polk County
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation says an inspection report is only “a ‘snapshot’ of conditions present at the time of the inspection.” It’s not necessarily indicative of normal conditions. For instance, the two restaurants that were temporarily shut down during the two weeks have a consistent history of meeting inspection standards, according to state reports, and they were both reopened within a day with zero violations on a follow-up.
Restaurants fall short of standards for a wide variety of violations, and many might not be alarming to the common diner. That’s why The Ledger details the violations for these restaurants, so readers can decide.
April 1-7: Five Polk County restaurants fail to meet inspection standards. See why
The restaurants that were temporarily closed
Fancy Q Sushi & Thai, 4304 U.S. 98 N., Lakeland: On April 17, the restaurant was temporarily closed after receiving six violations. In the lone high-priority violation, an inspector noted nine live roaches – one in a soap dispenser next to the three-compartment sink, six on the side of a reach-in cooler and two on the dishwasher. There was one intermediate violation for no paper towels or hand-drying device at the handwash sink. And there were four basic violations, among them: A cutting board had cut marks and was no longer cleanable, the floor under kitchen equipment was soiled, an in-use ice cream scoop stored on a soiled surface between uses, and food debris on shelves in the sushi area and sides of kitchen equipment. In a follow-up inspection the next day, the restaurant passed with zero violations.
The restaurant has a history of meeting standards. The last time it received violations that required follow-up was April 2022, and before that, twice in 2018. Since then, it has met standards on initial inspections 10 times.
Wendy's Hamburgers #598, 1910 W. Memorial Blvd., Lakeland: On April 15, the restaurant, which is undergoing heavy remodeling, was temporarily closed for two construction-related violations, both deemed basic. In one violation, the inside bathroom was not available to customers or employees during the remodel. A portable toilet was available in the parking lot, but no handwash sink was available. The other violation was for “food stored in a location that is exposed to splash or dust” – in this case the front counter exposed to dining room remodeling. Management covered the opening with plastic. In a follow-up later the same day, the restaurant passed with zero violations.
Before April 15, the restaurant met standards in 23 straight inspections dating to 2012, which is as far back as its state reports go. It is the only time the restaurant failed to meet standards.
March 25-31: In slow week of inspections, 1 Polk County vendor falls short of standards. 16 are perfect
The other restaurants that fell short – and why
Pho Tan 2, 1281 First St. S., Winter Haven: In an April 12 callback from a previous inspection, the restaurant had one violation remaining: No proof of required food-safety training for an employee hired more than 60 days prior. An administrative complaint was recommended and a follow-up required.
Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins, 1578 3rd St. S.W., Winter Haven: On April 15, the restaurant had seven violations, including one high priority and two intermediate. The high-priority violation was for operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Among its intermediate violations, an inspector noted a mold-like substance on the ice machine and no paper towels or hand-drying device at the handwash sink in the back kitchen. And there were four basic violations: one for an employee with an ”ineffective hair restraint engaging in food preparation,” one for ice cream stored on the freezer floor, one for an in-use utensil not stored with the handle above the top of the food in a closed container, and finally one for an ice cream scoop stored “in running water with insufficient velocity to flush food particles away.” An administrative complaint was recommended and a follow-up required.
Cookie Jar Bakeshop and Eatery, 305 E. Main St., Bartow: In an April 16 callback from a previous inspection, the restaurant had one remaining violation: The manager or person in charge lacked proof of certification. An administrative complaint was recommended and a follow-up required.
March 18-24: 10 Polk food vendors failed to meet standards and two had 13 violations each. See why
Perfection
It’s tough to get a perfect initial inspection, with so many things that can go wrong. But these 12 restaurants did between April 8 and 21.
Sabrina's Delicacies, 4610 Cleveland Heights Blvd., Lakeland
La Gran Muralla Restaurant & Lounge, 2810 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland
Herb's BBQ And Rubs LLC, 2041 Thompson Nursery Road, Lake Wales
Alex's Kajun Seafood Restaurant, 130 SE Plaza Roadway, Winter Haven
Port @ Haines City, 16000 Hatchineha Road, Haines City
Holiday Inn Express, 2953 Ridge Way, Lake Wales
Hungry Howies # 199, 4290 Alternate 27, Lake Wales
Noxxkitchen Inc., caterer, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland (Catapult)
Our Noire Kitchen, caterer, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland (Catapult)
Mom's Momo, caterer, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland (Catapult)
Salt& Light Kitchen, caterer, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland (Catapult)
Hi Lumpia Fl, caterer, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland (Catapult)
March 11-17: 9 Polk County restaurants fail to meet standards. 21 were perfect
Keep in mind as you read
Remember that in some cases, violations are noted are technical issues not directly linked to hygiene or cleanliness. Remember, too, that broken refrigerators, chipped tiles or fast work may add up to unintended mistakes.
Regardless, if you notice abuses of state standards, report them and DBPR will send inspectors. Call 850-487-1395.
The terminology
What does all that terminology in state 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 and the establishment may reopen only after inspection shows that all high-priority violations that caused the suspension are corrected.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Two Polk restaurants closed by inspectors April 8-21. See why
