{"id":57074,"date":"2025-08-05T19:20:03","date_gmt":"2025-08-05T23:20:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/?p=57074"},"modified":"2025-08-05T19:20:08","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T23:20:08","slug":"lakeland-restaurant-closed-for-roach-and-rodent-activity-5-others-fall-short-in-early-july","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/2025\/08\/05\/lakeland-restaurant-closed-for-roach-and-rodent-activity-5-others-fall-short-in-early-july\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakeland restaurant closed for roach and rodent activity. 5 others fall short in early July"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Egg Factory of South Lakeland<\/a>, at 6960 S. Florida Ave., was temporarily closed on July 10 after an inspector noted 15 violations, including live roaches and rodent droppings.<\/p>\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n