JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Moldy food, roaches and dirty hands are a few violations I found in the most recent inspection reports. Several restaurants still have to go through a follow-up inspection to make sure they clean up their act.
El Apache, located on in Orange Park landed a spot on our restaurant report card with 10 high-priority violations. During a routine inspection last week, small flies were found throughout the kitchen. The inspector noted that it was a repeat violation.
According to the inspection report, moldy lemons were found in the walk-in cooler, and the manager voluntarily threw them away.
The inspector also saw an employee scooping chips for customers with their bare hands. Those chips were thrown out. El Apache will have to go through a follow-up inspection.
JC's Fresh Seafood on Dunn Avenue received three high-priority violations during a routine inspection last week. According to the report, inspectors found black mold buildup inside the ice machine.
The report goes on to say that crabs were being stored in a laundry baskets, which are not food-grade containers.
The inspector also noted that foods like fish, sausage and potatoes were not being stored at cold enough temperatures inside the cooler. During the inspection, the manager added ice to the cooler to correct the issue. JC's Fresh Seafood is expected to go through a follow-up inspection to make sure the other violations were corrected.
Akaya Sushi-Grill, located on 1075 Oakleaf Plantation Parkway in Orange Park, was temporarily shut down twice last week after a failed inspection.
I visited the eatery and the manager admits their last inspection didn't go well, but says he's already made changes to fix the issues.
During its inspection last week, the Orange Park eatery received five high priority violations. Health inspectors found nearly 50 live roaches throughout the kitchen and sushi bar.
When I spoke with the owner, he said he had nothing to hide.
"We would normally [have pest control done] two times a month. But we are going to change the company. Usually I would use another company... He wasn't doing good," said Owner Eddie Cao.
Cao said he was out of the country for a few months and was unable to monitor pest control visits.
"That's what I do, I was going to look around for what they were going to do for the job... Maybe, [the bugs problem started when] I was out of the country," said Cao.
Cao also says outside deliveries may have brought in the unwanted guests.
"We haven't had this happen before - ever," said Cao.
Because of the roaches, Akaya was temporarily closed twice last week and had to go through three inspections before it was allowed to reopen.
According to the report, inspectors found a moldy orange in the walk-in cooler, and Cao voluntarily threw it out.
Akaya also received a violation for wrapping food in what the inspector described as "paper towels." Cao said the juices from the meat and fish would leak through the over-wrap.
"So now we're going to use the other kind... So it doesn't leak though there," said Cao.
The inspector also noted that there was a mold-like substance inside the ice machine and when I checked, that mold had been cleaned out.
"I feel sorry for the cleaning stuff. I am going to meet with all of my guys... What's most important... the food, quality, and cleaning," said Cao.
Akaya still has to go through another follow-up inspection, but the owner said he is meeting with his staff to go through the proper cleaning procedures and will move forward keeping a clean plate.