Hibachi Express, at 1515 Bartow Road in Lakeland was closed by inspectors for one day after an inspection on March 9 found eight violations, including three high-priority issues.
Among the high-priority violations, inspectors found live roaches on the dishwasher, on the side of a reach-in cooler by the sushi bar and under a box of soda in a dining room cabinet. Several dead roaches were found, as well. And a stop-sale order was issued on shrimp that was stored at an unsafe temperature.
Inspectors noted two intermediate violations: no soap provided at the handwash sink in the dish room, and no hand-drying towels or devices available at the same sink. And the restaurant received a couple of other basic violations, including a buildup of grease on outside grills and fryers and cases of chicken stored on the floor of a walk-in freezer.
l The restaurant met standards during a follow-up inspection on March 10, with only one violation noted – the buildup of grease on the outside grills and fryers.