Several Tampa Bay Eateries Closed by State

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation ordered emergency closures at four Tampa Bay area eateries last week when conditions inside didn’t meet guidelines for health and safety.

Roach and rodent activity were once again some of the biggest concerns behind the forced closings, but other violations included improper food storage temperatures and dirty conditions, among others. In its Emergency Closures report for the week ending Aug. 30, the state noted these establishments had been ordered shut until they cleaned up their acts:

Wesley Chapel

Kwan Ming Bistro, 27607 State Road 56, Unit 105

• Initial inspection date – Aug. 26
• High priority violations – 6
• Intermediate violations – 3
• Basic violations – 14

The inspector noted such high priority violations as improper dishwasher sanitization, improper food storage and use of an unauthorized pesticide. Roaches, too, were a concern with 15 live found under the prep table on the cook line, five in a can opener, 20 under the three-compartment sink, among others found. The eatery met inspection standards during a follow-up visit on Aug. 27.

Brandon

Eurest Dining Services, 636 Grand Regency Blvd.

• Initial inspection date – Aug. 24
• High priority violations – 3
• Intermediate violations – 3
• Basic violations – 16

The inspector noted such violations as a lack of paper towels at a sink, build-up of food debris on nonfood-contact surfaces and dead roaches found on the premises. It was the live roaches, however, that really caught the inspector’s attention. “55 roaches under reach in cooler stuck on glue board,” the inspector wrote. Others were found in the dish machine area, in cabinets and with supplies. Live roaches were found on a second inspection staged Aug. 25, but the eatery met state standards on Aug. 26.

Tampa

Saigon Bay Vietnamese Restaurant, 2373 E. Fowler Ave.

• Initial inspection date – Aug. 25
• High priority violations – 8
• Intermediate violations – 6
• Basic violations – 25

The inspector noted such high priority violations as improper temperature control, improper food storage and improper chemical storage. Roaches were also a concern with live roaches found under the prep table in a dry storage room, near the prep cooler, cook line and in other places. The restaurant failed to meet state standards during follow-ups on Aug. 25 and Aug. 26. It was allowed to reopen after a second inspection on Aug. 26 and did meet inspection standards during yet another follow-up on Sept. 1.

La Giraldilla Tampa, 1003 W. Hillsborough Ave., No. 4

• Initial inspection date – Aug. 27
• High priority violations – 4
• Intermediate violations – 5
• Basic violations – 17

The inspector noted such high priority violations as improper hand washing and failure to store food in proper containers. Roaches and rodents, however, were also of concern. Live roaches were found in the kitchen area. Rodent dropping were found under the reach-in cooler next to the mixer in the pizza station. “Approximately 100 plus droppings behind reach-in freezer compressor.” Droppings were also found in other locations inside the restaurant. The eatery was allowed to reopen after an Aug. 28 follow-up, but the inspector noted a need for another visit.

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