El Huarache Veloz, Currents, Two Buks Cited By Health Inspectors

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL – Rodent burrows near a dumpster enclosure, dead roaches found in a bar and raw shell eggs stored above cooked beef are some of the violations that Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation inspectors found recently at Pinellas County restaurants.

Currents, 200 E. Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs, was cited for 11 violations on May 31, including an exterior door with a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside; gaskets with slimy/mold-like buildup in walk-in cooler; soil residue in frying pans; and cold food held at high temperatures, including cut tomatoes, picata sauce and bleu cheese.

Two Buks, 1915 N Hercules Ave., Clearwater, was cited for 17 violations on May 29, including two dead roaches at bar; ice buckets stored on floor; reach-in freezer gasket torn/in disrepair; and hot water not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink.

El Huarache Veloz, 7100 49th St. N, Pinellas Park was cited for seven violations on May 29, including a reach-in cooler gasket torn/in disrepair; raw shell eggs stored above cooked shredded beef; buildup of grease on drip pans under stove and flattop grill.

Sea Critters Cafe, 2007 Pass A Grille Way, St. Pete Beach, was cited for four violations on May 28. Outside the restaurant, rodent burrows and rub marks were found in a tree and its roots near the building's dumpster enclosure. Rub marks also were found on the enclosure, and it had broken slats.

In the last 30 days, 147 Pinellas County restaurants did not pass the first inspection while 166 restaurants aced the first visit. The inspectors made note of four Pinellas restaurants that passed inspections during the past week without any violations: Wingstop St. Petersburg, 1411 34 Street North, St. Petersburg; Irish 31s - Clearwater Beach, 486 Poinsettia Ave., Clearwater; Dunkin Donuts / Baskin Robbins, 5602 Gulfport Blvd. South, Gulfport; and Super Queen, 25 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater.

For more details on Pinellas County restaurant inspections, click here.

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

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