Investigates

Restaurant Report: Inspectors find 2 dead rodents, 321 rodent droppings at Papa John’s near a school

Action News Jax’s Ben Becker has brought you the Original Restaurant Report for about five years and says inspectors have found plenty of violations, but this week he encountered a Restaurant Report record that was off the charts.

Becker paid a visit to the Papa John’s on U.S. 1 near Nease High School in St. Augustine. State inspectors discovered two dead rodents on a sticky glue trap, a Restaurant Report record of 321 rodent droppings, and a time/temperature safety violation. The restaurant was temporarily closed.

Becker served up some questions to a manager, who did not find them appetizing:

Becker: “What about the rodent droppings?”

Manager: “No comments.”

Becker: “Rodent droppings, right?”

Manager: “No comment.”

Becker: “Is this accurate? 321 rodent droppings?”

Manager: “No comment.”

Becker: “Is it safe to eat here?”

Manager: “No comment.”

Becker: “What happened?”

Manager: “No comment.”

Becker: “How did the rodents get in?

Manager: “No comments.”

Becker: “You have any comments about the rodents at all?

Manager: “No comment.”

Becker: “No comment?”

Manager: “Nothing, no sir.”

Becker: “You know you’re near a school. A lot of kids eat here?”

Manager: “No comment.”

Becker: “Is it safe to eat here?

Manager: “No comments.”

Becker: “Would you eat here?”

Manager: “No comments.”

Becker: “When did you reopen?”

Manager: “No comments.”

Becker: “Nothing?”

Manager: “No sir.”

Becker: “Zero?”

Manager: “No sir.”

Becker: “Nada.”

Manager: “No.”

Becker: “Zilch?”

Manager: “Yes sir.”

Elsewhere, Bar None Saloon on Anastasia Avenue near Matanzas Boulevard was cited for 110 rodent droppings, 32 flying insects and rodent rubbing and chew marks present. The bar was temporarily closed.

Inspectors say Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse at the Town Center had time/temperature safety violations, an employee’s keys were on a prep table next to food, and a Spic and Span bottle was next to clean plates.

Becker’s final stop, Vino’s Pizza on State Road 13 near Race Track Road, was cited for raw animal food not separated from ready-to-eat food, time/temperature safety violations and no certified food manager.

All the restaurants passed follow up inspections.