A restaurant in Lake Wales was temporarily closed by a state inspector for the fourth time this year for roach and rodent activity on the premises, less than a month after its last closure for the same reason.
Grriffins Restaurant Dining Sports Bar-Banquet, in the Lake Wales Country Club at 2925 State Road 60 E., was temporarily closed on June 14 after receiving 10 violations, three of which were high priority, according to state inspection reports from June 12 to 25.
Among those high-priority violations, an inspector noted more than 140 rodent droppings throughout the restaurant and a live roach on the floor next to a broken walk-in cooler. The inspector also noted raw beef patties stored over beer in a walk-in cooler.
The restaurant passed a follow-up inspection on June 16.
Grriffins received three other emergency orders to close in 2023: On Jan. 18, March 23 and May 24. In all of those cases, inspectors noted issues with live or dead rodents or roaches. The restaurant has been fined $1,500 this year, according to state reports.
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation says an inspection report is “a ‘snapshot’ of conditions present at the time of the inspection.” It warns that an inspection isn’t necessarily an indication of day-to-day conditions at the restaurant.
Eighteen other Polk restaurants were issued warnings or administrative complaints in the two-week period, requiring follow-up inspections. Most were for minor violations or clerical-type issues, but two were for violations involving live flies or roaches.
Restaurants receiving warnings for insect activity
- Winghouse Bar And Grill, 4515 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland: On June 15, the restaurant received five violations, including a high-priority violation for a single live roach found on a chemical dispenser. An employee killed the roach and sanitized the area, but a warning was issued and a follow-up inspection was required. The restaurant met standards on June 19.
- Mcdonalds Restaurant, 420 Havendale Blvd., Auburndale: On June 15, the restaurant received five violations, mostly basic. The only high-priority violation was for 14 live flies found on lobby windows, according to the state inspection report. The manager removed the flies and sanitized the area. The restaurant met standards in a follow-up the next day.
I heard the food was really good at Griffin’s, but fourth time closure, I’ll pass.