8 Polk restaurants fall short of standards in latest inspections. See the reasons here
Eight Polk County restaurants failed to meet standards in the week from Jan. 8 to 14, according to state inspection reports.
Out of 72 total inspections for the week, no restaurants received violations for insects or rodents, none were temporarily closed by inspectors, and three had perfect initial inspections, with zero violations. An initial inspection is just a standard, regular inspection that is not mandated by previous violations.
The eight food vendors that received warnings or administrative complaints requiring follow-up inspections had a wide variety of violations. While some violations might have a direct effect on the quality or safety of the food, many are not the kind that common diners might consider sanitary issues or food-safety problems. Often they’re issues with licensing or training, broken equipment, or just breaches of “best practice.”
>> INTERACTIVE: Explore all restaurant inspections in Polk County.
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation conducts the inspections and says they’re “a snapshot of conditions present at the time.” A negative inspection does not indicate persistent conditions at a restaurant.
Restaurants requiring follow-ups
The following eight restaurants required follow-ups because of violations. Here’s a look at the details of those violations, so diners can make their own decisions.
Subway 1382, 36205 U.S. 27, Haines City: On Jan. 8, the restaurant received a single violation – lacking proof of required state-approved training for employees. Administrative complaint recommended.
El Antojo Colombiano, 300 E. Hinson Ave., Haines City: On Jan. 8, the restaurant received four violations, three basic and one intermediate. The intermediate was for the person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. The basic violations were for a bathroom that didn’t have tight-fitting, self-closing doors, a grease receptacle or dumpster that wasn’t on a proper surface, and outer openings that weren’t protected with self-closing doors. Administrative complaint recommended.
Ocean Poke, 5353 N. Socrum Loop Road, Lakeland: On Jan. 8, the restaurant had one basic and one high-priority violation. The high-priority was for an expired license. The basic was for a rice utensil that wasn’t stored at 135 degrees or higher. Administrative complaint recommended.
Links Of Sandpiper, 6001 Sandpiper Drive, Lakeland: On Jan. 9, the restaurant had two basic and one high-priority violation. The high-priority violation was for a dishmachine chlorine sanitizer that wasn’t at the proper minimum strength. The two basics were for a soiled floor behind an ice machine and a bag of red onions stored on the walk-in cooler floor. Warning issued.
Herby's Kitchen, 2844 Lakeland Highland Road, Lakeland: On Jan. 11, it received five violations. A high-priority violation was for shelled eggs stored over spinach inside a refrigerator. An intermediate violation was for the manager lacking proof of certification. Three basic violations were for equipment and utensils that weren’t properly air dried, a light not functioning and black debris on a hood-system wall, and soiled gaskets on a reach-in cooler. Warning issued.
Staybridge Suites - Lakeland West, 3855 Don Emerson Drive, Lakeland: On Jan. 11, the restaurant received five intermediate violations. One was for a soiled can opener. One was for a handwash sink that wasn’t accessible, blocked by a propped open door. Another was for no hand-drying towels or device at the handwash sink. In another, apples on the buffet were washed but not wrapped. And the last was for the manager lacking proof of certification. One basic violation was for carbon dioxide tanks that weren’t properly secured. Administrative complaint recommended.
Cigar Quarters, 344 E. Main St., Haines City: On Jan. 11, the facility had three intermediate violations, two related to employee training and one for the manager lacking proof of certification. A follow-up was required. Warning issued.
White Heron Golf Club, 200 Eagle Ridge Drive, Davenport: On Jan. 12, the restaurant received three violations, two intermediate and one basic. One intermediate was related to employee training. The other was for a mold-like substance on reach-in cooler gaskets in the dry storage area. The basic violation was for rust on reach-in cooler shelves. Administrative complaint recommended.
Jan. 1-7: In first week of year, no Polk restaurants are gigged for pests. But 8 require follow-ups
Perfection
Three food vendors in Polk achieved perfect inspections during the week from Jan. 8 to 14.
El Calenton PR, mobile food vendor, 5570 U.S. 17-92, Haines City
Easy Eats LLC, caterer, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland (Catapult)
Sh-Booms Ice Cream Shop, 42649 U.S. 27 N., Davenport
Dec. 25-30: In a light week of inspections, 4 Polk restaurants fall short of standards. One is perfect
Keep in mind as you read
Remember that in some cases, violations are noted are technical issues not directly linked to hygiene or cleanliness. Remember, too, that broken refrigerators, chipped tiles or fast work may add up to unintended mistakes.
Regardless, if you notice abuses of state standards, report them and DBPR will send inspectors. Call 850-487-1395.
The terminology
What does all that terminology in state restaurant inspections mean?
Basic violations are those considered against best practices.
A warning is issued after an inspector documents violations that must be corrected by a certain date or within a specified number of days from receipt of the inspection report.
An administrative complaint is a form of legal action taken by the division. Insufficient compliance after a warning, a pattern of repeat violations or existence of serious conditions that warrant immediate action may result in the division initiating an administrative complaint against the establishment. Says the division website: “Correcting the violations is important, but penalties may still result from violations corrected after the warning time was over.”
An emergency order — when a restaurant is closed by the inspector — is based on an immediate threat to the public. Here, the Division of Hotels and Restaurants director has determined that the establishment must stop doing business and any division license is suspended to protect health, safety or welfare of the public.
A 24-hour call-back inspection will be performed after an emergency closure or suspension of license and the establishment may reopen only after inspection shows that all high-priority violations that caused the suspension are corrected.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Details on 8 Polk County restaurants that fell short of standards