JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – While searching through this week's inspection reports, I found three restaurants in different parts of town with high priority violations. One was forced to close three times due to a bug problem, while others were cited for improperly storing food that could pose as a health risk.
After a complaint was filed, Sushi Bistro Seafood and Steak, located on 46 Tuscan Way in St. Augustine, was forced to close its doors not once, not twice, but three times last week.
An inspector found 10 live roaches under the dish-washing machine. The next day she returned to find 10 to 15 live roaches on the wall next to the ice machine. On the third day, the report shows more roaches were found behind the cabinet in the sushi bar.
The restaurant given permission to reopen after a pest control visit and the roaches were killed.
In the Cedar Hills area, Crystal River Seafood, located on 4453 Blanding Boulevard, was cited with eight high priority violations during a routine inspection last week.
The inspector said an employee failed to wash his hands before putting on gloves to work with food. The inspector also noticed non food-grade containers were used for food storage. Also, raw shrimp was found stored in an open container over sweet potato chips. All of those problems were corrected during the inspection.
And, on the Westside, Famous Amos, located on 6315 San Juan Avenue, was cited with five high priority violations. An inspector saw a cook put cheese on top of shelled eggs. The cheese was thrown out.
There was also a Stop Sale issued on food due to what the report states as temperature abuse. The inspector found that cut lettuce and creamer were stored at temperatures over 50 degrees. The manager threw out the food, but the inspector notes this was a repeat violation.