Gyroland, China Taste and Earl of Sandwich Cited By Inspectors

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL – Grease on kitchen floor, duct tape used to fix sink, fly strips placed over food prep area and lack of required training are some of the violations that Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation inspectors found in Hillsborough County restaurants.

Hanks Pizza, 8830 N Himes Ave, Tampa, was cited for seven violations on Feb. 5, including duct tape used to repair hand-wash sink; encrusted material on can opener blade (operator cleaned it); and establishment operating without a public food service license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants.

Gyroland, 3313 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, was cited for 15 violations on Feb. 11, including a ceiling tile missing; buildup of food debris, dust or dirt on hood filters, gaskets, racks and walk-in cooler; an improperly stored utensil and improperly stored gryo meat.

China Taste, 13887 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, was cited for 15 violations on Feb. 11, including fly strips installed over food prep area; raw shrimp thawed in standing water; hot food (fried rice) held at unsafe temperature; and single-use containers (boxes and/or cans) reused for food storage.

Earl Of Sandwich, 7229 N Dale Mabry Highway Ste 2, Tampa, was cited for seven violations on Feb. 12, including case of lettuce stored on floor of walk-in cooler; slicer blade soiled in back kitchen; microwave soiled on front line; and no proof of required state-approved training provided for any employees.

Press Box Sports Emporium, 222 S Dale Mabry, Tampa, was cited for 15 violations on Feb. 11, including in-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses; cutting board stained/soiled; and grease accumulated on kitchen floor and/or under cooking equipment.

In the last 21 days, 91 Hillsborough County restaurants did not pass the first inspection while 284 restaurants aced the first visit.

Inspectors made note of seven Tampa restaurants that passed inspections without any violations: Las Palmas Latin Grill, 6431 E County Line Rd Ste 104; Hummingbird Jerk House, 17631 Bruce B Downs Blvd Unit F; Dunkin Donuts, 911 N Dale Mabry Hwy; Coco's Food Truck, 1507 S 22 St; Bay Street Burgers, 13320 Key Largo Rd; Whiskey Joe's, 7720 W. Courtney Campbell Causeway; and Lupe's Latin Cravings LLC, 221 E Davis Blvd.

Note: Most of the restaurants with violations have corrected those violations and passed subsequent inspections.

Image via Shutterstock

(For more local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)