Collier County's culinary scene is a mixed bag, with some restaurants shining brightly and others falling short. This week's health inspections reveal a spectrum of performance, from perfect scores to high-priority violations. Here's a deep dive into the findings, with a focus on the bright spots and the areas that need improvement.
The Perfect Score Restaurants
Several Collier County eateries earned perfect scores, demonstrating their commitment to food safety and customer satisfaction. These restaurants met all standards during their inspections, with no violations found.
Beefstro's: Located at 13180 Livingston Road, Naples, this restaurant showcased its dedication to culinary excellence. With no violations, Beefstro's ensures a safe and enjoyable dining experience for its patrons.
Frankie's Courtside: At 1301 Imperial Golf Course Blvd., Naples, Frankie's Courtside impressed inspectors with its impeccable standards. No violations were noted, making it a top choice for food lovers in the area.
Garner Candlewood Suites: This restaurant, situated at 3860 Tollgate Blvd., Naples, also received a perfect score. The inspection highlighted their commitment to maintaining a clean and safe dining environment.
Just Salad Store: With locations at 960 Immokalee Road, Suites 200 & 202, Naples, Just Salad Store focuses on fresh, healthy options. Their perfect score reflects their dedication to food safety and customer well-being.
Lake Park Diner: Found at 8856 Founders St., Naples, Lake Park Diner impressed inspectors with its adherence to food safety standards. No violations were found, making it a reliable choice for diners.
Slab BBQ and More: This mobile food dispensing vehicle, operating in Collier County, also received a perfect score. Their commitment to food safety is evident, ensuring a safe and delicious dining experience for customers on the go.
Restaurants with High-Priority Violations
While some restaurants excelled, others faced significant challenges. High-priority violations require immediate attention and correction to ensure public health and safety.
Badass Coffee: With 8 total violations, including 3 high-priority ones, Badass Coffee at 1400 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Suite 148, Naples, needs to address issues like expired licenses and improper chemical storage. The presence of live roaches is a serious concern that demands immediate action.
Beef O'Brady's: This restaurant, located at 7385 Radio Road, Suite 100, Naples, faced 2 high-priority violations. The dishmachine chlorine sanitizer was not at the proper minimum strength, and a vacuum breaker was missing at the mop sink faucet. These issues require immediate correction to ensure food safety.
Denny's: Denny's at 3871 Tamiami Trail E., Naples, had 7 total violations, with 3 high-priority ones. Issues included raw animal food stored over ready-to-eat food and time/temperature control problems for safety food. These violations highlight the need for stricter adherence to food safety protocols.
Lake Park Diner: With 6 total violations, including 2 high-priority ones, Lake Park Diner at 8856 Founders St., Naples, needs to address dishmachine and time/temperature control issues. The presence of live roaches is a serious concern that demands immediate action.
Ridgway Bar and Grill: This restaurant, located at 1300 S. Third St., Naples, faced 4 total violations, with 2 high-priority ones. Issues included dishmachine and raw animal food storage problems. Immediate correction is necessary to ensure food safety.
Sam Snead's Oak Grill and Tavern: With 9 total violations, including 4 high-priority ones, Sam Snead's Oak Grill and Tavern at 8004 Lely Resort Blvd., Naples, needs to address serious issues. These include raw animal food storage problems and time/temperature control violations, highlighting the need for stricter food safety measures.
The Hangout By Two Guys: This restaurant, located at 2360 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, faced 2 total violations, with 1 high-priority one. The issue of time/temperature control for safety food needs immediate attention to ensure food safety.
Whiskey Park: With 6 total violations, including 2 high-priority ones, Whiskey Park at 3380 Mercantile Ave., Naples, needs to address nonfood-grade bags and live roach activity. These violations demand immediate correction to ensure a safe dining environment.
The Regulatory Framework
In Florida, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is responsible for routine restaurant inspections. The DBPR ensures that restaurants adhere to food safety standards and takes legal action through administrative complaints when necessary. The Department of Health investigates food-borne illness outbreaks, ensuring public health and safety.
Reporting Dirty Restaurants
If you witness food safety abuses, report them to the DBPR. You can call 850-487-1395 or report online at https://www.myfloridalicense.com/complaintwizard.asp. Your reports help maintain a safe dining environment for everyone.
Conclusion
Collier County's restaurant inspections reveal a diverse landscape. While some restaurants excel, others face significant challenges. By addressing high-priority violations and adhering to food safety standards, restaurants can ensure a safe and enjoyable dining experience for their customers. The DBPR's role in regulating and inspecting restaurants is crucial in maintaining public health and safety in the food industry.
