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Substitution violations
Tampa Bay area restaurants cited by state inspectors for product substitution from Jan. 1, 2006, to Feb. 28, 2007. Fake grouper is by far the most common target of substitution.
By Times staff
Published June 1, 2007
Wok-and-Roll, Clearwater, 2/14/06. MSG observed in kitchen; menu says no MSG. Sunset Grill, Clearwater, 5/17/06, substituted ponga for grouper. Press Box Sports Emporium, Tampa, 6/14/06, substituted ponga for grouper. Lonestar Steakhouse & Saloon, St. Petersburg, 6/27/06, substituted basa, pangasius fish for grouper. Busy Bee Shack Shop, Pinellas Park, 7/12/06, substituted cod for grouper. Boulevard Diner, Pinellas Park, 7/18/06, substituted pollock and basa for grouper. Jack Willie's, Oldsmar, 7/27/06, substituted pangasius fish for grouper. La Teresita, Pinellas Park, 9/20/06, substituted ponga for grouper and trout. Mike's Dockside, Hudson, 9/27/06, substituted panga fish for grouper. Bella Habana, St. Pete Beach, 10/10/06, substituted pangasius fish for grouper. Largo Family Restaurant, Largo, 10/10/06, substituted pangasius fish for grouper. Peck's Old Port Cove, Crystal River, 10/17/06, substituted swai for grouper. Kinjo Japanese Restaurant, St. Petersburg, 11/7/06, substituted pangasius for grouper. Golden Bear Restaurant, Largo, 2/12/07, substituted pangasius fish for grouper. Source: Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
[Last modified June 1, 2007, 06:31:38]
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Comments on this article
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by Chris
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09/10/07 01:15 PM
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I was about to ask what Cheryl stated as fact: Whose fault is it when one species is served or sold as another, especially when most people either don't KNOW one from another or else know various ones by vqarious wrong names? Like Basa = Swai, etc.
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by Cheryl
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06/03/07 07:28 PM
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When restaurants order the fish in filet form, which is how most order it, it is almost imposible to tell if it is Grouper or not. It is the suppliers fault and not the restaurant. Most people don't know this, the restaurant is getting screwed also.
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by Beth
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06/02/07 08:46 AM
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So that is why grouper always tastes different in different places. It isn't grouper at all!
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by gene
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06/01/07 09:56 PM
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Basa is just as good as grooper. If the restaurant uses it they should say so cause it is cousin to grooper
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by Bryan
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06/01/07 06:12 PM
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The excuse of mislabled fish shipping boxes is weak at best. Managers and cooks can recognize most fish especially grouper. If that were not so they couldn't stay in bussiness. They are simply ripping their customers off pure and simple.
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by L
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06/01/07 01:58 PM
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Alot of these restaurant owners are being taken advantage of as well. Their suppliers are putting a grouper label on the box. The restaurant trust the suppliers just like we trust the restaurant. The blame needs to extend past the restaurant.
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by Jim
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06/01/07 01:09 PM
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try cha cha coconuts "grouper sandwich" there is a fine for you. this place sits atop a major landmark in st pete and the sandwich they serve is very questionable.
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by robert
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06/01/07 11:02 AM
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maybe you should go grouper fishing!!
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by John
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06/01/07 10:26 AM
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Close them down for a day, a week, a month. That will teach them or put them out of business.,
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by Wade
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06/01/07 09:01 AM
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"The Emporer's New Clothes"
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by Dan
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06/01/07 08:46 AM
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Dan's right. I think I'll go out tonight and order a swai sandwich. If you don't know what grouper looks and tastes like, then maybe you should order something else, if you want to be certain of what you're getting.
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by HCB
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06/01/07 08:28 AM
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If people can't tell they are not eating grouper, what difference does it make? Better yet, ban grouper fishing for a while and see if people don't just switch over to Ponga. (is that a fish?)
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by dan
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06/01/07 07:37 AM
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Panga, pangasius, and swai sound exotic and appealing. Heck with the grouper, I'll have the blackened swai, or maybe the baked garlic encrusted panga. Greed is as blinding as it is apalling.
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by yvonne
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06/01/07 07:08 AM
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Please note, only one date in 2007.. so i suggest you dont pay grouper prices for faux grouper.... Simply, dont be duped ...Dont order grouper!!!
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