- Bubbaque’s, 2444 U.S. 92 E., Lakeland: On Aug. 12, the restaurant had two violations. One was for operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants License (high priority). The other was for single-service gallon tea jugs that were stored on the stockroom floor (basic).
- Zarza Restaurant, 4648 Cleveland Heights Blvd., Lakeland: On Aug. 16, the restaurant had three violations. Two were high priority. Cold foods were held above 41 degrees in a reach-in cooler, in this case, cheese (46), pork (45), beef (45) and chicken (46). The operator moved them to the walk-in. The other high-priority violation was for a warewashing sanitizing solution that exceeded the maximum concentration allowed. A basic violation was for a rusty shelf on a table in the dishwashing area.
- Papa Johns Pizza, 3608 Harden Blvd., Lakeland: On Aug. 15, the restaurant had five violations. Four of them were intermediate: a cutting board was stained with a mold-like substance and food and a can opener blade was soiled; no hot water at the handwash sink; the person in charge lacked certification; and there were no written procedures in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event. A single basic violation was for pans on a shelf that were wet nesting, and not properly air dried.
- Pa’ Las Miches Bar and Grill, 1313 N. Combee Road, Lakeland: On Aug. 16, the restaurant had four violations. There were three intermediate: a soda gun had a mold-like substance or slime; a handwash sink had ice in the bottom (indicating it was used for purposes other than handwashing); and the restaurant lacked proof of required, state-approved employee training. The basic violation was for a mop sink that was full of chemicals, meaning it wasn’t accessible by employees.
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.