A popular Ocala fast-food eatery was shut down recently after a health inspector cited 11 violations – the most egregious of which involved roach excrement and food temperature issues.
The inspector visited the Wendy’s restaurant at 3001 E. Silver Springs Blvd. on the morning of Feb. 9 and reported finding five high-priority and six basic violations. Two of the high-priority violations were for nine live roaches found throughout the kitchen area of the restaurant and droppings on a shelf above soda boxes, a report on file with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation states.
Two of the high-priority violations centered on problems with food temperatures. One was for eggs being held in a unit maintaining an ambient air temperature greater than 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The other one was for sausage being held at 128 degrees Fahrenheit – seven degrees below the mandated holding temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
The final high-priority violation came when an employee cracked eggs and then handled wrapping paper for sandwiches while wearing the same pair of gloves. The health inspector had the employee wash their hands and change their gloves, the report says.
- Six basic violations also were cited. Those included:
- A buildup of grease on the tops of warmers on the front counters and underneath fryers;
- A buildup of a mold-like substance on the outside door of an ice machine;
- Nine dead roaches in the kitchen and men’s restroom;
- An employee’s coat stored on soda boxes;
- An accumulation of debris underneath the front counter; and
- The door to an ice machine sealed off, not allowing easy access to the inside of the equipment.
The inspector returned to the restaurant later in the day and reported continued issues with roaches. The eatery remain closed until the following day, when the inspector return twice and gave the OK for it to reopen at 4:16 p.m.