A Japanese restaurant in Ocala was temporarily closed last week after a health inspector found over a dozen violations, including the presence of roaches.
On Monday, August 28, Hibachi of Sakura located at 4920 E Silver Springs Boulevard, Suite 108 in Ocala was temporarily shut down after live and dead roaches were observed on the premises, according to a report filed by a health inspector with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
During the inspection on August 28, the health inspector observed eight live roaches on a crevice under the sushi prep table and a live roach near the back door. In the report, the health inspector noted that an on-duty manager killed the roaches and cleaned both areas.
Four dead roaches were also found on top of the reach-in cooler near the sushi bar, and another dead roach was spotted on the floor near the hand washing sink.
The presence of live roaches was deemed a high priority violation. Additional high priority violations cited in the report include vegetables being in direct contact with nonfood-grade bags and raw animal foods (chicken and beef) not being properly separated from each other in the walk-in-cooler.
The restaurant was cited for several intermediate violations. At a hand washing sink, the inspector observed items inside the sink, which prevented it from being accessible for employees at all times. In addition, there were no paper towels near the sink.
The remaining violations listed in the report were deemed “basic.” The health inspector observed multiple employee drinks being stored on prep tables and inside coolers, standing water near the mop sink area, grease build up on the ticket holder rack, and a wet wiping cloth that was not stored in a sanitizing solution between uses.
The restaurant remained closed and was reinspected on Thursday, August 31. During this visit, the health inspector found one live roach on the sushi bar counter, one live roach on the wall behind the reach-in cooler, and another live roach on the floor under the reach-in cooler. An on-duty manager killed the roaches and cleaned the areas.
The health inspector also found five dead roaches on the floor under the reach-in cooler and two dead roaches on top of the reach-in cooler.
Hibachi of Sakura remained closed and was reinspected on Friday, September 1. After no violations were found by the health inspector, the restaurant was permitted to reopen.