Restaurant Inspections: Live Roaches, Mold

After weeks of multiple temporary closings in the Tampa Bay area, it seems the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation has turned its attentions to other parts of the state.

In its Emergency Closures report dated Sept. 20, the agency noted only one local restaurant had been ordered shut until improvements to conditions inside were made. The state did, however, order several closings in the Miami, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale areas.

The one Bay area closing occurred in Lutz:

The Vine Bar, 17667 N. Dale Mabry Highway

• Initial inspection date – Sept. 17
• High priority violations – 3
• Intermediate violations – 8
• Basic violations – 9

The inspector noted a number of violations including employee failure to wash hands and the discovery of a “black/green mold-like substance” found in the interior of the ice machine. Live roaches, however, were listed among the biggest high priority concerns. The inspector found three at the end of the cook line, two live in the cooler on the cook line and 10 in cardboard boxes at the end of the cook line, among others. The eatery was allowed to open once more after a return inspection on Sept. 18. The state did note the need for yet another follow-up inspection though.

Over the past few weeks, the state has ordered several other Tampa Bay area residents to close temporarily. Here’s a roundup of recent restaurant reports:

• Restaurant Inspections: Moldy Ice Maker, Rodent Chewed Ketchup Packs
• Restaurant Inspections: Roaches, Rodents and Flying Bugs
• 7 Restaurants Temporarily Closed by State

Image via Shutterstock