PINECREST, Fla. — That is why we are doing this Dirty Dining Extra.
Ashoka Indian Restaurant in Pinecrest was hit with 48 violations during Monday’s inspection, including mold like growth on chicken, vegetables, tomatoes and limes, a dead fly in broth, food held at unsafe temperatures for more than four hours, dead roaches, raw chicken stored above cooked chicken and filthy food contact surfaces.
This is not an isolated inspection.
Records show the restaurant has been inspected 13 times since February 2024, with nine inspections requiring follow up.
The four most recent inspections produced 138 violations, with recurring problems involving unsafe food temperatures, mold like growth, sanitation and deteriorating equipment, several of which were specifically cited as repeat violations.
Yet the restaurant was not ordered shut.
Someone needs to do better.
When people spend their hard-earned money to eat out, they should not have to wonder whether the food is safe. Restaurants need to do better, regulators need to do better, and we will continue to call them out when they do not.
ASHOKA INDIAN RESTAURANT - PINECREST
PINECREST TOWN CENTER
12663 SOUTH DIXIE HIGHWAY
PINECREST
INSPECTION DATE 8/17
48 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed needle pen in walk in cooler.”
“Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Observed 1 container of veggies with mold. Observed 1 container of chicken with mold. Observed 1 can of eggplant in reach in across cook line. Observed bag of tomatoes with mold in walk in cooler. Observed 1 case of limes with mold. Repeat Violation.”
“Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed dirty skewers on dry dish rack, not washed, rinsed or sanitized.”
Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Observed 2 cans of raid in kitchen. Repeat Violation."
“Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken stored above cooked chicken in walk in cooler. Repeat Violation.”
“Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Observed in walk in cooler with ambient temp if 55F for more than 4 hours: shell eggs 55F Cold Holding.”
“Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed 1 container of broth worth dead fly inside.”
“Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed in walk in cooler with ambient temp if 55F for more than 4 hours: shell eggs 55F Cold Holding. Observed in walk in cooler with ambient temp of 55F cooked chicken (50F - Cold Holding); cooked breaded chicken (49F - Cold Holding); butter (54F - Cold Holding); shredded cabbage (51F - Cold Holding); paneer (50F - Cold Holding); cooked veggies (47F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (33F - Cold Holding).”
“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in walk in cooler with ambient temp of 55F cooked chicken (50F - Cold Holding); cooked breaded chicken (49F - Cold Holding); butter (54F - Cold Holding); shredded cabbage (51F - Cold Holding); paneer (50F - Cold Holding); cooked veggies (47F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (33F - Cold Holding). More than 4 hours in cooler as per operator. Technician showed up during end of inspection to work on cooler. Repeat Violation.”
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled shelves where dry food is stored. Observed stored soiled fryer baskets in fryer. Observed stored baking sheets and pans soiled on cook line. Observed stored vegetable slicer soiled. Repeat Violation.”
“Lack of toilet tissue at each toilet. Observed in women & men’s restroom.”
“No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment ware washing machine or wiping cloths.”
“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 no employee training for any employee on site. Observed Dilesh and Mohammed, more than 60 days employed. **Warning**
Intermediate - non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed on dry food and dish racks. Repeat Violation."
“Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed multiple items not dated marked, prepared prior day as per chef.”
“Accumulation of debris on exterior of ware washing machine. Observed exterior soiled. Repeat Violation.”
““Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed multiple coolers and oven not working.”
“Ceiling tile missing. Observed above walk in.”
“Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed throughout kitchen.”
“Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed throughout establishment.”
“Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Observed walk in cooler with ambient temp of 55F, the following TCS foods stored inside for more than 4 hours: cooked chicken (50F - Cold Holding); cooked breaded chicken (49F - Cold Holding); butter (54F - Cold Holding); shredded cabbage (51F - Cold Holding); paneer (50F - Cold Holding); cooked veggies (47F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (33F - Cold Holding); eggs 55F Cold Holding. Technician showed up during end of inspection to work on cooler. Repeat Violation.”
“Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Observed next to cooler at cook line.”
“Dead roaches on premises. Observed 1 dead roach in oven. Observed 1 dead roach in men& woman restroom.”
“Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed saute; pans on cook line.”
“Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gaskets in reach in across cook line.”
“Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed at back door. Repeat Violation.”
“Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed throughout kitchen.”
“Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed in entryway to dry storage closet.”
“Food stored on floor. Observed case of onions on floor of dry storage.”
“Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed in restroom.”
““Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. Observed above cook line; missing filters.”
“Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed in chest freezer. Repeat Violation.”
“In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses.”
“In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed between cooler and prep table. Repeat Violation.”
“Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed interior soiled.”
““No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Observed no choking poster. Repeat Violation.”
““No copy of latest inspection report available. Observed no copy printed. Repeat Violation.”
“No hot running water at mop sink. Observed hot water valve missing.”
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed cooler gaskets soiled. Observed exterior of equipment soiled throughout establishment.”
“Old food stuck to clean dishware/utensils.”
“Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues.”
“Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed in multiple coolers. Repeat Violation.”
“Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover. Observed under prep table across cook line. **Repeat Violation.”
“Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed on floor outside of kitchen.”
“Stored food not covered. Observed in walk in freezer; multiple foods exposed.”
“Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed on walk in cooler.”
“Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed in kitchen.”
“Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed mop in bucket; not in use.”
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