WTSP.com Nokomis, Florida -- Pelican Alley is a longtime restaurant located right on the water, popular among locals who love fresh seafood and described as New England flair with a Florida feel.

"They're known for good food," said an excited Donnie DeNure. "I've been there with my sweetie."

But what customers like DeNure didn't know was that this same restaurant was shut down by the state as a temporary emergency closure this month, a state inspector documenting 13 violations, two considered high priority.

Among the issues were food left uncovered in the walk-in freezer; cooking surfaces excessively soiled with grease and food debris; and rodent activity, with the inspector documenting 86 fresh droppings found on the surface of the small window where food is sent out from the kitchen, around open containers of flour in the food storage area, underneath clean utensils, even one on a cutting board that was in use. Continue