Restaurant Report: ‘Get that camera out of my face’ as restaurant faces questions about inspection

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Chicken, grits and sweet potato pie are foods that you can feel in your soul. But this week, inspectors had a different feeling after visiting Caribbean Soul and Cuisine on Norwood Avenue near Interstate 95.

“I’m here about your recent inspection,” said Action News Jax’s Ben Becker.

“Can you get that camera out of my face?” requested a worker.

State inspectors found seven live roaches and 20 dead roaches in a food storage area in the restaurant, which was operating with an expired license. Inspectors ordered the restaurant to close temporarily.

Another worker showed Becker the storage area and wanted to emphasize that the bugs were not found in the kitchen.

Elsewhere, Wendy’s on Norwood Avenue near West 44th was cited for 28 live flying insects, one dead roach and a time/temperature safety violation. Inspectors ordered the restaurant to close temporarily.

Inspectors say Beef ‘O’ Brady’s on North 1st Street near Reid Street in Palatka had 20 rodent droppings, one live roach and a mold-like substance in a dish machine. Inspectors ordered the restaurant to close temporarily.

Becker’s final stop was Moon Dog Pie House on Bartram Oaks Walk, near Race Track Road in St. Johns County. It was cited for a time/temperature safety violation, an employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands and a mold-like substance in an ice bin.

All the restaurants passed follow-up inspections.

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