Three Lakeland restaurants were handed warnings or administrative complaints

Three Lakeland restaurants were handed warnings or administrative complaints that required a follow-up inspection during the week from Jan. 15 to 21, according to state inspection reports.

• The End Zone Lakeland, 6206 U.S. 98 N., Lakeland: On Jan. 17, On Jan. 17, the restaurant received five violations, including one high-priority and two intermediate. The high-priority violation was for dishmachine sanitizer that wasn’t at the proper strength. An employee fixed the issue by replacing the empty chorine canister while the inspector was there. One of the intermediate violations was for a slicer that was soiled with food debris. The other was for a handwash sink that had been removed from the food prep area. The inspector said it must be reinstalled in the same location. Finally, the restaurant had two basic violations. One for an in-use utensil that wasn’t stored properly: “with handle above top of food within a closed container.” The other was for gaskets in the flip-top unit on the cookline that were soiled with food debris.
• La Granja Chicken Steak and Seafood, 3919 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland: On Jan. 18, the restaurant received five violations. Three were intermediate, and all three of those were related to employee training. Two violations were basic: one for cases of beef and chicken stored on the floor of a walk-in freezer and walk-in cooler, and another for a light in the dry storage area missing a proper shield.
• Dona Julia’s Restaurant, 5375 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland: On Jan. 18, the restaurant received four intermediate violations, three of which were related to employee training. The other was for failing to date containers of ready-to-eat food prepared on-site. An employee dated the containers while the inspector was there.

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