One popular breakfast-style restaurant in Polk County was closed temporarily to deal with rodent activity, and 21 other vendors failed to meet standards during inspections from July 14-31, according to state reports.
On July 30, an inspector temporarily closed Denny’s 6824, 4325 S. Florida Ave. in Lakeland, after finding evidence of rodent activity. According to the inspection report, two rodent droppings were found under a shelf in dry storage, two were found under a prep sink, four behind a stainless freezer, six behind a stove and two more under a shelf in a paper storage area. All the droppings were removed and the areas sanitized by staff.
That was one of five total violations. One of the others was high priority: food cold-held at greater than 41 degrees (hamburger patties 50, macaroni and cheese 47, cheddar cheese 47…