Dirty Dining: Cajun Cafe inside University Mall in Tampa shut down for roach activity

TAMPA - Nancy and Russ Mcginnis sometimes grab a bite at one of the 16 popular eateries inside the food court at University Mall near Fowler Avenue in Tampa.

"I try to be careful where I eat, but you don't know," said Nancy.

"You never know what the kitchen is," added Russ.

And that concern may be valid. One place on the upper level at University Mall had some trouble in their latest inspection reports.

Cajun Cafe was shut down for 24 hours on August 9 after inspectors discovered over 60 live and dead roaches near the ice machine, prep table, reach-in cooler, mop sink and on the kitchen walls.

But Nancy didn't seem to be surprised.

"I think a lot of restaurants around here have bugs and they don't keep them as clean as they should," Nancy said.

It's not the first time Cajun Cafe had an issue with roach activity.

On October 19 of last year, inspectors found live and dead roaches in the back kitchen area.

So ABC Action News anchor Wendy Ryan went up to Cajun Cafe's food counter to talk to someone in charge. But the employees told her there was no manager or owner on duty.

On August 9, inspectors also documented other critical violations including rice, pasta and chicken all being improperly cooled, which could make customers sick.

And on March 10, inspectors observed food stored on the floor, no certified food manager on duty and no proof of required employee training.

The Cajun Cafe employees eventually called a manager so Ryan could speak to him over the phone. He had no comment, but promised the owner would call her back.

Nancy feels whoever is in charge of the mall itself should be following up too.

"The manager of the mall probably should be checking. And if it's not right, then he should call the health department and then they should shut them down," Nancy said.