6 breakfast, taco, barbecue restaurants in Bradenton cited during health inspections

Florida’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants routinely inspects restaurants, food trucks and other food service establishments for public health and cleanliness issues. The reports are public information.

During the most recent inspections in Manatee County, area restaurants were cited for problems including live flies, employee hand-washing errors and moldy food.

Here is what inspectors found:

Poppo’s Taqueria Outpost, 5942 34th St. W. #114, Bradenton

  • On Nov. 22, an inspector observed approximately 25 flying insects around two drains next to a dish machine.

  • Dish machine sanitizer was not at the proper minimum strength. An inspector took a sanitizer reading of zero. Corrective action was taken. A manager called a technician to service the machine.

  • A mixer head was soiled.

  • No test kits were at hand to measure the strength of sanitizer in use for ware-washing and/or wiping cloths.

  • Proof of required food safety training was not available for some employees.

  • Walk-in cooler shelves were pitted with rust.

  • Several soiled dry wiping cloths were in use in the kitchen. Corrective action was taken.

  • All shelving under preparation tables was soiled, according to an inspector.

  • Hood filters were soiled.

  • Containers of beans were stored on the floor of a walk-in cooler, and boxes of rice were stored on the floor in a dry storage area. Corrective action was taken.

  • The floor was soiled under all equipment in the kitchen and around all of the floor drains.

  • There was standing water on the ground in a back preparation area of the kitchen.

  • An employee phone was stored on a prep table. Corrective action was taken.

  • Employee drinks were stored on prep tables. Corrective action was taken.

  • A follow-up inspection was required. The restaurant met inspection standards during a follow-up visit the next day.

Keke’s Breakfast Cafe, 11633 State Road 70 E., Bradenton

  • An inspector observed multiple food employees on the cook line failing to wash hands during glove changes.

  • An inspector observed a severely dented can of red peppers. A stop sale was issued and the can was removed from service.

  • Ceiling tiles and vents in the kitchen were soiled with an accumulation of dust.

  • Reach-in freezer gaskets were soiled with food debris.

  • Dry storage shelves were soiled with dust and food debris.

  • Pancake batter was stored unprotected from contamination in a container with no lid. Corrective action was taken.

  • Cutting boards on the cook line were damaged with deep grooves.

  • The restaurant met inspection standards.

Smoqehouse, 1701 Gulf Dr. N., Bradenton Beach

  • An inspector observed two packages of moldy buns stored on the cook line. A stop sale was issued and a manager discarded the bread.

  • Sliced cheese was cold held at a temperature greater than 41 degrees. Corrective action was taken.

  • A food manager’s certification was expired.

  • There was no proof of required food safety training for any employees.

  • Towels and gloves were stored in an employee hand-wash sink. Corrective action was taken.

  • There was standing water under a three-compartment sink and a hand-washing sink in the kitchen.

  • Employee drinks were stored on a kitchen prep table. Corrective action was taken.

  • A follow-up inspection was required.

Skillets, 9722 S.R. 64, Bradenton

  • An inspector observed multiple food employees on the cook line fail to wash hands during glove changes. The inspector advised the employees and a manager on proper hand-washing procedure.

  • Raw, pooled eggs were stored with ready-to-eat spinach, heavy cream and lemon juice. Corrective action was taken.

  • Stainless steel cleaner was stored over a ware-washing area. Corrective action was taken.

  • A can of tuna and a can tomato juice in storage were dented. Corrective action was taken. A manager discarded the items.

  • Hood filters were soiled with an accumulation of grease.

  • Oil and ground coffee were stored on the floor.

  • An employee drink and cell phone were stored on a prep shelf.

  • An employee was drinking from an open container on the cook line.

  • The restaurant met inspection standards.

Hungry Street Bradenton, 5303 14th St. W., Bradenton

  • An inspector observed containers of raw shell eggs that were being held at an ambient temperature greater than 45 degrees. Corrective action was taken. The eggs were moved to refrigeration.

  • Shredded beef was cold held at a temperature greater than 41 degrees. Corrective action was taken.

  • The restaurant had no probe thermometer at hand to measure the temperature of food products.

  • There was no proof of required food safety training for two employees.

  • To-go containers were stored on the floor. Corrective action was taken.

  • A follow-up inspection was required.

Wendy’s, 5420 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

  • Shredded cheese was cold held at a temperature greater than 41 degrees in a reach-in cooler. Corrective action was taken.

  • Cheese that was supposed to be monitored using time as a public health control had no time stamp recorded. Corrective action was taken.

  • There was evidence that mop/cleaning wastewater had been dumped onto the ground at the back kitchen exit, according to an inspector.

  • There was an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of an ice chute on a soda machine.

  • Walk-in freezer fan covers were soiled.

  • An employee was preparing food without a hair restraint. Corrective action was taken.

  • The restaurant met inspection standards.

Editor’s Note: According to the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, these reports are a “snapshot” of the conditions present at the time of the inspection and are public record. The agency is required to inspect every licensed restaurant at least once per year, but new and “high-risk” establishments tend to be inspected more frequently.

When an emergency shutdown order is given by an inspector, it must first be reviewed and approved by agency supervisors. In order for a business to reopen, an inspector will continue visiting the establishment daily until compliance is met. Some citations may include a financial penalty. Inspectors may also respond to complaints, which can be filed online at https://www.myfloridalicense.com/complaintwizard_cont.asp.

The Bradenton Herald’s weekly dirty dining reports list restaurants where inspectors found issues that might concern the average diner — such as unsafe food temperatures, employee hand-washing issues or moldy drink machines — regardless of whether or not the businesses passed inspection.