ORLANDO, Fla. — A top Italian restaurant chain, a country club and a popular International Drive buffet are all on Action 9's latest list of restaurants that kept failing state inspections.
Action 9's Todd Ulrich took a retired inspector inside the kitchens and found that some are still a health risk, but one top offender has cleaned up its act.
A bloody cutting board and frozen chicken thawing in warm water on the floor were some of the violations found inside the Citrus Garden/Citrus Dragon on Vineland Road.
"This is a serious violation, not an approved container for food," said retired government food inspector Paul Cook, pointing at a metal garbage can used to hold rice.
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Cook also spotted possible cross-contamination, crusty food debris and broccoli on the ground used to prop open the back door.
"This is not a doorstop," Cook said.
Action 9 identified a Citrus Garden restaurant as a top offender, because state inspectors kept citing critical safety violations.
Our inspector found the cleaning solution bleach concentration "off the charts." It was far higher than what's considered safe. Cook said it was a toxic solution.
"It's contamination, a chemical contamination," he said.
A manager said his staff had made many corrections.
“I try. I'm going to improve every time," he said.
Action 9 did find better food temperatures, but the repeat violations were serious.
"I would have closed them, Cook said.
This year, Action 9 analyzed state inspections for the past two years to identify the most recent repeat offenders, which includes Macaroni Grill on Highway 192 in Kissimmee. It was recently closed temporarily by state inspectors.
Also on the list are Little New Orleans on the South Trail and Sanctuary Ridge Bar and Grill in Clermont.
Asian Buffet off I-Drive topped Action 9's list for most violations. The state closed the restaurant three times in just six months, but the frequent state inspections apparently got the restaurant's attention.
The owner wanted Action 9 to see his kitchen. Cook found some violations, including a badly soiled wood counter, but there were no critical violations that triggered state shutdowns.
Cook said it was a dramatic turnaround.
“I would have no problem eating here," he said.
Managers at Macaroni Grill, Little New Orleans and Sanctuary Ridge Bar and Grill did not respond to Action 9's questions.
WFTV
