Tag Archives: anna maria island

Popular sandwich shop in Bradenton cited for roach activity

Posted on by
Reply

I spoke with my friend Gary this a.m., and told him once again how much I appreciated him throwing a few bucks my way while I actually tried to think about food safety issues.

He asked if I was going to the International Association for Food Protection meeting in Tampa this year.

I said, nah, I’m not a prof, no funding, although it would be fun to catch up with everyone, and stay at Anna Maria Island once again, about 90 minutes from Tampa.

We live in Brisbane, we’re used to Florida in the summer.

But the surrounding restaurants sorta suck.

The Wicked Taco Cantina, 101 7th St. N., Bradenton Beach, was cited on May 24 for holding cold food at temperatures above 41 degrees, including pico de gallo, guacamole and sour cream. The establishment also was cited for improper hand washing procedures. Per the report: “Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands. Observed employee handle dirty dishes from customers table, then prepare a personal beverage at soda machine. Observed employee use ice scoop. No hand washing observed. Observed server handle dirty dishes from customers table, sweep floor then make a customer’s beverage. No hand washing observed.”

The hand-washing violation was again noted on an inspection two days later. In the May 26 inspection report, the inspector said corrective action was taken.

On Thursday, inspectors visited The Beach House, 200 N. Gulf Drive, Bradenton Beach, to check on a violation they cited the restaurant for during a May 19 inspection: “Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit,” per the report. Items in the cooler included dairy mix, raw shrimp and tomato sauce. Similar issues were observed with other coolers in the restaurant. The inspectors noted that corrective action was taken on the same day.

To search for restaurants and inspections, visit dine.bradenton.com.

Bradenton, you can do better.

Especially if you’re going to have a few thousand food safety folks hanging around.

 

It is embarrassing: Fave restaurant closed in Florida

Posted on by
Reply

Anna Maria Island, how I’ve missed you.

And you’re breaking my heart.

amy.doug.dec.12The Bradenton Herald reports the Sandbar restaurant reopened Wednesday afternoon after inspectors from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, who found live roaches on the premises during a routine restaurant inspection this week, cleared it for reopening.

“The restaurant is thoroughly investigating the incident and has corrected the issues,” according to a press release sent out by the Sandbar.

In a report Tuesday, an inspector wrote:

“Observed approximately one live roach next to hand wash sink and two near two door stand up reach in cooler, 15 live roaches under steam table in wait station area and 20 live roaches on box under steam table on cook line in the kitchen adjacent to the indoor dining area.”

The inspection also found seven other violations, including unsafe food holding temperatures and an ice scoop with no handle.

Joe Rogers, general manager of the Sandbar, said roaches love to make a home in cardboard boxes, and a few boxes were left in the secondary kitchen in the same spot for five to six days. The boxes contained to-go coffee cup lids and no food was in the boxes, he said. But even boxes of non-food items are not allowed to be stored on the floor, as noted in the April 14 inspection report. By the time the staff decided to move the boxes, several roaches had found their way into them.

“For 39 years we’ve been doing business, we’ve never had an issue like this,” Rogers said. “We’re doing everything we can. We take pride in keeping our place clean and this is embarrassing.”

Rogers said the restaurant, located at 100 Spring Ave., has the same pest control company service return at least once per month.

A third inspection around 1 p.m. Wednesday cleared the restaurant, and the Sandbar reopened in the afternoon.