EL MERENDON RESTAURANT

High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Warning

High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed 1 employee engaged in food preparation putting gloves and not washing hands. Employee correct action during inspection. Corrected On-Site Warning

High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Warning

High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed Red Beans (53F - Cold Holding); Beef Soup (51F - Cold Holding) inside reach in cooler at kitchen area. As per operator for more than 4 hours. Warning

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Red Beans (53F - Cold Holding); Beef Soup (51F - Cold Holding) inside reach in cooler at kitchen area. As per operator for more than 4 hours. Warning

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand wash sink block with table at front counter. Warning

Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Observed manager Aldo Ayala with no proof of food manager certification. Warning

Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. Warning

Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed employees Gloribel S., Ligia H., and Ania H. working for more than two months with not proof of food handler training. Warning

Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed red beans and beef soup container with not date marked inside reach in cooler at kitchen area. As per operator prepared more than 24 hours ago. Repeat Violation Warning

Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Repeat Violation Warning

Basic - Garbage can located outside has no lid or lid open/broken. Warning

Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed hole on the wall next to triple sink at kitchen area. Repeat Violation Warning

Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer. Observed inside all reach in freezers at kitchen area and front counter. Warning

Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed inside sugar container at kitchen area. Warning

Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed microwave soiled with food debris at kitchen area. Warning

Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. Warning

Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Warning

Basic - Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Observed single use milk container reuse to stored other beverage inside reach in cooler at front counter. Warning

Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall soiled behind cook line at kitchen area. Warning

Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed inside storage area. Warning

Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed 1 wet wiping cloth stored on top of preparation table at kitchen area. Warning