Hibachi Buffet Sushi & Grill in Clearwater, Florida, cited for 31 violations - Pinellas County

Hibachi BuffetPhoto bySILCHUK FLY/GR

Hibachi Buffet Sushi & Grill in Clearwater, Florida, tallied 31 violations during a complaint inspection by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation on September 23, 2024.

The all-you-can-eat buffet-style restaurant, located at 2456 Gulf to Bay Blvd in Pinellas County, was not ordered to close but requires a follow-up inspection, according to state records.

The inspection revealed 13 high-priority, five intermediate, and 13 basic violations.

Among the high-priority issues were live, small flying insects in the kitchen and food preparation areas. The restaurant also failed to properly cool cooked food within the required time frame, leading to a stop sale on some items.

A notable observation included a significant accumulation of dead flies in kitchen traps and an unaddressed issue of mold within the ice machine.

These items, along with various warnings about employee hygiene, highlight the areas needing improvement for the establishment to provide a safe dining environment.

Hibachi Buffet Sushi & Grill in Clearwater, currently holds a rating of 4.1 stars based on 1,860 reviews on Google, signaling a generally favorable perception among customers, although recent reviews suggest that there is room for improvement.

A local guide and customer named Maggie Bentley, shared on Google reviews:

Not alot of selection to choose from and people was rude. Cutting in front of you, stepping on your feet and not saying anything. Nothing was labeled so I didn't know what I was eating. Not sure the price bc my dad paid but I hope it wasn't alot.

With these identified issues, patrons are urged to consider the importance of proper food handling and safety measures during their dining experiences.

Noted High Priority Violations

• Live, small flying insects in kitchen and food preparation areas
• Unsuitable cooling of cooked foods
• Inadequate thorough cleaning of food-contact surfaces
• Incorrect storage of raw animal foods
• Temperature management issues for both hot and cold foods