Restaurant Inspections: Rodent Fur, Chewed Rice, Roaches

TAMPA, FL – The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation ordered emergency closures at two area eateries last week when conditions inside didn’t meet guidelines for health and safety.

Roach activity, rodents and unsafe food storage were among the biggest reasons behind the temporary closings. In its Emergency Closures report for the week ending Feb. 13, the state noted these local restaurants had been ordered shut until they cleaned up their acts:

Tampa

Rana Grill and Kabab, 2047 E. Fowler Ave.

• Initial inspection date – Feb. 9
• High priority violations – 5
• Intermediate violations – 5
• Basic violations – 13

The state inspection report noted such concerns as dead roaches, a leaky pipe and a hole in the wall. High priority concerns included the discovery of live roaches and evidence of rodent activity, including 10 “dry hard rodent droppings.” The inspector also noted “rodent chew marks on bag of rice” and issues with raw chicken being stored over cooked chicken in the reach-in cooler. Fur was also found on a sticky trap under the mop sink in a storage room off the kitchen. A follow-up inspection was conducted Feb. 9. The eatery was allowed to reopen at that time, but the inspector noted the need for a return visit.

Longboat Key

Amore By Andrea, 555 Bay Isles Parkway

• Initial inspection date – Feb. 9
• High priority violations – 6
• Intermediate violations – 7
• Basic violations – 5

The inspector noted such concerns as improper food storage, improper dish machine sanitization and dead roaches found on the premises. The inspector also spotted a food-encrusted can opener blade, roach droppings on top of the dish machine and the use of a handwashing sink for storage. Live roaches were also found at the dish machine, under a few sinks and near the kitchen entrance. The eatery failed to meet state standards during a follow-up visit on Feb. 10, but was allowed to reopen on Feb. 11. The inspector noted the need for another return visit, however.

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