Florida health inspection records show that Big Tim’s BBQ restaurant in St. Petersburg, Florida was closed last month after inspections revealed many problems with equipment, cleanliness, and rodent activity. A report by 10News in Tampa Bay said that the restaurant may have been the source of a Salmonella outbreak that sickened several people in June. Three of those cases were confirmed by the state lab.
Some of the violations included high priority problems, including live roaches in the kitchen beside prep area and the pork chopping station, and “too many [roaches] to count” in the kitchen area under the main prep table, along with rodent droppings found throughout the kitchen. Other violations included no soap or paper towels at the sinks; food held at dangerous temperatures; and no proof of required state employee training for any of the employees. In addition, the ceiling and walls were coated with grease, equipments and utensils were not washed, rinsed and sanitized in the correct order, the equipment was in poor repair, and a can of RAID was found under the prep station.
Inspection records from June 14, June 27, June 28, July 8, August 21, and August 22 showed repeated violations of health department codes. The restaurant has been cleared to reopen. The last inspection report on August 22, 2013 said that a follow-up inspection was required, and violations require further review, but “are not an immediate threat to the public.”
