Is that anchovy on that pizza?
You might want to check, if it’s pizza from Papa Roni at 7013 North Himes in Tampa. What Florida restaurant inspectors say they found there probably isn’t what you have in mind when you order pizza with “everything.”
We’ll let a state inspection report from June 20, 2007 speak for itself:
“Observed dead roaches on premises. Observed over 20 dead roaches on food storage shelves, prep table shelves, inside food storage boxes, inside reach-in cooler, in butter used for food preparation. Establishment has no licensed pest control at the current time.”
“Observed rodent activity as evidenced by rodent droppings found. While conducting a joint callback, Chris Damico and Rich Decker noted rodent droppings in establishment. Over 100 rodent droppings were observed on food storage shelves, utensil storage shelves, on top of newly delivered food boxes, on floors, prep table bottom shelves, on single use take-out items.”
Notice the words “joint callback?” According to state records, inspectors gave Papa Roni the once over about a month earlier when they issued a warning for 28 “critical violations.” For instance? Handwash sinks missing from restrooms and inaccessible to employees at all times; food stored on the floor; paint and chemicals stored next to food.
Still hungry? Inspectors said there was no thermometer easily visible in the reach-in cooler. They reported soil residue in storage containers, “build up of soiled material on mixer head,” “potentially hazardous food held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening,” and the list goes on.
We called Papa Roni Friday. A man who identified himself as Brian hung up on us the first time. We called back. He didn’t dispute state inspection results but said any building as old as the one occupied by Papa Roni is bound to have rodents and insects crawling about.
In the butter, Brian?
He invited us to come see for ourselves that the place is not filthy. Thanks but no thanks. We certainly hope the place is cleaned up but we aren’t restaurant inspectors, just eaters. And even though the latest entry on Papa Roni’s state record indicates compliance, we’re inclined to let history be our guide.
Papa Roni’s inspection history is long and unappetizing. Look it up on the Fined Dining search tool. Then check the map of 50 most-fined restaurants since 2005 and see how it compares with other heavily fined places around the state. Want more details? Go to the state search tool here and look up Papa Roni in Tampa by name.
State records show total fines against Papa Roni since Jan. 1, 2005 increased about 200 percent in September. That’s because the state came down hard with a jumbo - $13,950. Records show the fine was ordered Sept. 25 for 30 violations on June 21.
Brian said the listed fine is inaccurate. “Normally, when you respond they knock it down.”
Oh! Well, in that case make it a large with the works. Hold the roaches and no rodent shit, please.