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LARGO, FL -- Lanore's Nifty 50's Cafe located on Largo Road in Largo may put you in the mood to twist and shout, but state inspectors shut down Lanore's for a rodent infestation one day this past January when inspectors found rat droppings in seven areas of the kitchen and a hole in the wall.
"We've been working on that and it’s all been fixed," owner, Lanore Hughes said.
Hughes has owned the restaurant for the last four years and she says she didn't realize the rats had gotten into her restaurant.
Anchor Wendy Ryan asked, "Did you have any idea that it was this bad?"
Hughes says she's had an exterminator treat her restaurant on a regular basis but the rats got into the entire complex.
"We had a professional in here," Hughes said.
"But they weren't doing the job?" asked Ryan.
"No, they were doing the job. It was trouble with the building," Hughes said.
"So the whole building has them?" Ryan asked.
"Yes," Hughes replied.
But inspectors issued critical citations to this 50's themed diner in the past.
In September of 2008, they found eggs at 69 degrees and cheese at 51 degrees. Both are dangerously warm temperatures. The state food code requires all cold food to be held at 41 degrees or colder.
And in January of 2008, inspectors found raw animal food stored over ready to eat food, a cross contamination issue.
Inspectors also found their ceiling in disrepair and coolers not working properly.
"I had some refrigerators go down but I threw all the food away," Hughes said.
The restaurant only serves up breakfast and lunch, but Hughes promises every meal is safe and the rodent infestation was an isolated incident.
"It's the only time I really had a problem," said Hughes.
