West 82 Bar and Grill in Crystal River was cited for 32 violations in Citrus County, FL

West 82 Bar And Grill RestaurantPhoto byGoogle Reviews

Crystal River's West 82 Bar and Grill at 9301 W Fort Island Trail in Citrus County, Florida, has garnered attention recently following a few inspections by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation.

Despite a commendable 4.1-star rating based on 415 reviews on Google, this bar and grill was forced to rectify some notable issues regarding food safety and operational standards.

A customer and local guide named Garth Kukla, shared on Google Reviews:

How this place is only a 4.1 star is unfair. Food was great. Service is great. Atmosphere was great.

What Happened During The Inspections?

During a complaint-driven inspection on August 19, 2024, at the Citrus County restaurant, state inspectors discovered 32 violations at West 82 Bar and Grill, including a total of 9 high-priority violations, 8 intermediate violations, and 15 basic violations that required immediate attention.

Among the most standout high-priority violations were the presence of live insects in key food prep areas and a lack of proper storage practices for raw and ready-to-eat foods.

Instances were reported where raw fish was improperly stored above ready-to-eat items, and various time/temperature control for safety foods were not within safe range, requiring immediate discarding.

Additionally, several cooked food items exceeded the seven-day consumption guideline, raising alarms about their wholesomeness.

Basic violations included unsatisfactory sanitation conditions, such as mold-like substances present in food-contact surfaces and non-compliant ceiling structures, which are particularly concerning in food preparation areas.

What Happened During Follow-ups: Meanwhile, the follow-up inspections on August 20 and August 21 continued to unveil numerous violations, underpinning the ongoing need for adherence to health standards.

NOTE: Please note that an inspection report, per the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, provides a snapshot of the conditions observed during the inspection.