Egg Factory of South Lakeland, at 6960 S. Florida Ave., was temporarily closed on July 10 after an inspector noted 15 violations, including live roaches and rodent droppings.
According to the state report, four of the violations were high priority. The inspector noted 17 live roaches on the premises as well as 20 rodent droppings under the server area in the dining room. The other two were for foods that were cold-held at greater than 41 degrees, including sliced ham at 47 and butter at 82 for more than four hours. A stop-sale was issued on the butter.
There were four intermediate violations: a mold-like substance on the interior of the ice machine and ovens; no proof of required employee training; no proof that employees are told to report information about their health and foodborne illnesses; and no running water at the mop sink.
Seven of the violations were basic: an accumulation of debris on the exterior of the warewashing machine; 28 dead roaches on premises; a soiled floor behind cooking equipment; floors not maintained smooth and durable; in-use wet wiping cloth used under cutting board; soiled equipment door handles and gaskets on reach-in coolers; and unwashed tomatoes stored over juices in the walk-in cooler.
In a follow-up the next day, eight violations remained, including five more live roaches found on the casing of a gas line behind the cook line, according to the report. The restaurant remained closed.
After a second follow-up on July 11, the restaurant was allowed to reopen with five violations remaining, none of them related to roaches or rodents. Another follow-up inspection was required.
- Happy House, 6856 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland: On July 10, the restaurant had 11 violations. Its lone high-priority violation was using sanitizer that doesn’t meet requirements.
There was one intermediate violation for chicken wings, cooked beef and cooked pork not being properly date marked in the cooler.
- Josie’s Egg Station, 1625 Shepherd Road, Lakeland: On July 1, the restaurant had eight violations, including two high priority. Those were for operating without a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants, and food that was cold-held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees (provolone cheese 47, corned beef hash 46 and lettuce 46).
Two were intermediate violations: a handwash sink that was blocked by a trash can and a paper towel dispenser that wasn’t working.
The other four were basic: an employee beverage container on a cutting board in the food prep area; gaskets on a flip-top cooler in need of repair; ice buildup in the walk-in freezer; and a buildup of lime scale on the exterior of the ice machine.
- Cicala’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, 2977 Duff Road, Lakeland: On July 7, the restaurant had three violations: a can opener blade and dough mixer soiled with food debris (intermediate); the person in charge lacking proof of certification (intermediate); and a bag of flour stored on the floor (basic). A warning was issued.
- The Chop Shop, 118 S. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland: On July 2, the restaurant had a call back from an inspection in April. Two violations remained: Renovations were underway without a plan submitted and approved (intermediate); and floors that weren’t maintained smooth and durable (basic). An administrative complaint was recommended.
- T&E Legacy LLC, 3800 U.S. 98 N. Suite 692, Lakeland: On July 10, the restaurant had two violations: no certified food manager on duty (intermediate) and a container of lemonade stored on the floor in a walk-in cooler (basic). A warning was issued.
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.
Going out to eat these days is a gamble. Will I be rushing to the commode 10 mins after leaving??
I am so glad that they closed them down. We were unfortunate to get very ill after eating at a Lakeland establishment!! My spouse was hospitalized for 6 days….The Dr said the time line was right ….but we had no way to actually prove it. I see servers and cooks never wearing gloves or hair nets, and I’ve witnessed them not washing hands after using the restroom. Touching their faces and one can only imagine where else on their bodies and then touching serving utensils and customer dishes!!!! It is revolting.
Thank you for the heads up, I was planning to go and try a few of these places because I’ve never been, but now I’m changing my plans.
IHOP is another restaurant that needs to be closed due to unsanitary conditions. From dirty cups, flies on the windows, dirty mops in the middle of the floor, to the unappetizing food presentations. I’ve never eaten in an IHOP restaurant as dirty as the one here in Lakeland.