Thai Star, Kahuna's, El Guerrero Grill Cited By Inspectors

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL – Insects in dish area, soiled linens and fry oil stored on floor are some of the violations that Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation inspectors found last week in Pinellas County restaurants.

Thai Star Sushi Bar, 15229 Gulf Blvd, Madeira Beach, was cited for 21 violations on Feb. 22, including clean linens soiled with food residue; damaged/spoiled/recalled food not properly segregated; equipment in poor repair; and raw fish stored over containers of noodles in reach-in freezer.

El Guerrero Mexican Grill, 9727 66 St N, Pinellas Park, was cited for five violations on Feb. 22, including fry oil stored on floor; dishwashing machine not sanitizing properly; and container of medicine improperly stored.

Kahuna's Bar & Grill, 10515 Gandy Blvd, St Petersburg, was cited for 12 violations on Feb. 22, including equipment and utensils not properly air-dried; operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license; floor drains/drain covers heavily soiled in kitchen; and food stored in ice used for drinks.

Bros Pizzeria And Bar, 2535 E Bay Dr, Largo, was cited for seven violations on Feb. 22, but was given an extension to address various issues. The initial inspection found ceiling vents soiled with accumulated food debris and dust; live, small flying insects found around dish area and soda boxes (follow-up inspection found one insect, and pest control on the way); encrusted material on can opener blade; and no chlorine chemical test kit provided when using chlorine sanitizer at sink.

In the last 21 days, 176 Pinellas County restaurants did not pass the first inspection while 290 restaurants aced the first visit. Inspectors made note of 11 Pinellas County restaurants that passed inspections this month without any violations: Domino's Pizza, 12613 Ulmerton Rd, Largo; Three Birds Tavern, 1492 4 St North, St. Petersburg; Prep Kitchen, 100 Coronado Drive, Clearwater; Pier 60 Concessions, 10 Pier 60 Drive, Clearwater; Sand Bar & Grill, 400 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater; Deck Bar & Grille, 5901 Sun Blvd #100, St. Petersburg; The Catering Market, 445 1 Ave N, St. Petersburg; B'S Top Dawgs, 2619 23 Ave N, St Petersburg; and Sling Dogs, 2619 23rd Ave N, St. Petersburg.

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

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