Temporary Closures of South Florida Restaurants Due to Health Violations
The South Florida Sun Sentinel typically highlights restaurant inspections conducted by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation in Broward and Palm Beach counties. We cull through inspections that happen weekly and spotlight places ordered shut for “high-priority violations,” such as improper food temperatures or dead cockroaches.
### Broward County
Benihana
3261 SW 160th Ave., Miramar
Why: Two violations (one high-priority), including:
- Sewage/wastewater backing up through floor drains in areas such as the bar, sushi station, kitchen, and dishwasher areas, and “outside of back entrance door by the grease trap.” (An employee was seen “stepping on sewage.”)
- Floor area(s) covered with standing water in the dining room “below customers’ tables and seats,” as well as in bar and kitchen areas and by a “front counter facing sushi station.”
Status: Reopened October 12 after a follow-up inspection found no violations.
### Palm Beach County
El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant
1937 N. Military Trail, Suite F, West Palm Beach
Why: 13 violations (10 high-priority), including:
- 14 roaches in the kitchen “crawling on power outlet strip attached to wall behind prep table,” “on triple sink,” “on back of white chest freezer” and “inside of walk-in cooler/freezer not in use/no food stored.”
- Employee handled raw chicken to place on grill to be cooked and then handled cooked pork to be reheated without washing hands.
- Employee went from handling soiled dishes, washed hands at triple sink with no soap and then handled clean plates to serve food.
- Stop sale ordered for cooked beans and cooked pork due to time/temperature issues. Other temperature issues involved cooked rice, peppers, onions, tomato salsa, and chicken.
- Raw shell eggs over liquid butter and raw beef stored over ready-to-eat arepas.
Status: Reopened October 8 after a follow-up visit found no violations.
What You Should Know
### How to File a Complaint
If you spot a possible violation and wish to file a complaint, contact the Florida DBPR.
### FAQS
* What do you mean by high-priority violations?
High-priority violations are serious issues that can pose an immediate threat to public health and safety, such as improper food temperatures or dead cockroaches.
* Can I contact The Sun Sentinel to report a restaurant violation?
No, The Sun Sentinel does not inspect restaurants. For that, you should contact the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
* Can a restaurant reopen after being ordered shut?
Yes, if the restaurant corrects the issues identified during the inspection, they can reopen.
