Polk restaurant was temporarily closed by inspectors 35 received warnings

Polk County restaurant was temporarily closed by state inspectors during the two-week period from March 20 to April 2, according to reports filed by state safety and sanitation inspectors.

In addition, 35 other restaurants received warnings or administrative complaints, with violations that ranged from cleanliness issues to poor safety processes or largely clerical problems.

Not all warnings or complaints are the result of poor sanitation or cleanliness. Many are problems with licensing or training or other clerical type issues. Administrative complaints are typically issued for violations that weren’t corrected from a previous inspection, and the vast majority tend to be for clerical issues, such as licensing or training.

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation describes an inspection report as “a ‘snapshot’ of conditions present at the time of the inspection and may not be an indication of the restaurant’s long-term condition.

• International House of Pancakes at 3447 S. Florida Ave. in Lakeland was closed March 23 after an inspector found 10 live roaches in the kitchen area. Of the restaurant’s nine violations, that was the only one labeled high-priority. In a follow-up inspection the next day, the restaurant met standards, with only two basic violations.

Other restaurants cited for insect or rodent activity

• Back Nine, 7331 US 98 N., Lakeland: The restaurant was issued a warning on March 20 with seven violations, one of which was high-priority: Six live flies found near a dump sink in the bar area. The insect issue was resolved before a follow-up inspection the next day. But a follow-up is still required for a basic and intermediate violation.
• Big Daddy’s Barbeque, 128 ½ Avenue T NE, Winter Haven: On March 23, an inspector found 20 live flies in the screened room. It was the only high-priority violation among six total violations. The insect issue was resolved before a follow-up inspection the next day, but a follow-up is required for two basic and two intermediate violations.
• Crazy Fish Bar And Grill, 802 Henry St., Lake Wales: On March 23, the restaurant was cited for nine violations, including two high priority. Among those, and inspector found 15 flies in an outdoor storage area, and a glass cleaner stored next to condiments in the server station. The restaurant met standards in a follow-up inspection the following day.
• Pho Loc Tho, 3615 S. Florida Ave., Ste 940, Lakeland: On March 23, the restaurant received a warning for 15 dead roaches found on the floor under a three-compartment sink (listed as a basic violation). The restaurant’s only high-priority violation was for temperature-controlled items – rice noodles – stored on the cook line without a time marking. The restaurant met standards in a follow-up inspection March 29.
• Outback Steakhouse, 4208 US 98 N., Lakeland:  On March 29, the restaurant was warned after an inspector found a live roach on a wall near the dishwashing area. It was the only high-priority violation among six total violations. The restaurant met standards in a follow-up the next day.