5 Restaurants, 1 Food Truck Shut Down in South Florida

Broward County

Boston Johnny’s, located at 2120 N. Dixie Highway in Hollywood, was ordered shut on January 16 due to seven violations, including live and dead roaches, stop sale orders, and accumulation of grease/food debris.

• About 28 live roaches in kitchen areas such as “inside of wheels of cook line flip-top cooler,” “on gasket to combo reach-in cooler/freezer,” “on trash receptacle,” “inside of reach-in cabinet holding dry storage items” and “inside of table-mounted can opener.”
• Eleven dead roaches in the kitchen “on ground behind cook line flip-top cooler,” “on top of crock-pot warmer,” “on ground under hand wash sink,” “on reach-in cooler/freezer” and “on ground under [point-of-sale] system at bar.”
• Stop sale ordered for tuna salad because it was “not consumed/sold within seven days after opening/preparation.”
• “Interior of oven has accumulation of grease/food debris.”

The restaurant reopened on January 17 after a follow-up inspection found no violations.

Wilton Wings & Pizza, located at 1428 NE Fourth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale, was ordered shut on January 14 due to 24 violations, including rodent rub marks, stop sale orders, and time/temperature issues.

• Rodent rub marks present on wall in dry storage room “above chest freezer and into corner.”
• “Rodent materials” present in the air-conditioning vent by restrooms.
• Stop sale ordered for sugar packets “in dry storage room, open to kitchen, with gnaw marks through packets.”
• Eight live flies “on dining room wall,” on “bin in dry storage open to kitchen” and “on exterior back-door frame next to restrooms.”
• Four live roaches “between chest freezer and stand freezer in dry storage” area, “in orange storage container with dry pasta” and “on threshold of exterior door next to restrooms.”
• Five dead roaches in areas open to the kitchen such as “under shelving in dry storage room” and “under dunnage rack with dry pasta storage in storage room.”
• “Cook came in from outside, put on gloves and began to fry chicken wings without first washing hands.”
• Time/temperature issues involved wings, chili, beans, raw fish, cooked ribs, sliced turkey and roast beef.

The restaurant reopened on January 15 after a follow-up inspection found eight violations (two high-priority).

Jalisco Mexican Spanish Home Town Restaurant, located at 700 N. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale, was ordered shut on January 13 due to nine violations, including rodent droppings, stop sale orders, and accumulation of water and debris.

• Nine rodent droppings found in the storage room open to kitchen — “on top of large bulk containers of flour” and “in case of corn tortillas.”
• Stop sale ordered for “two plastic bags of corn tortillas with gnaw marks through the plastic.”
• About 16 dead roaches in areas such as “cabinets with bag-in-box syrups in dining area,” “under dish machine in kitchen” and “in employee restroom next to triple sink.”
• “Cardboard used on floor as anti-slip measure not replaced every day or when heavily soiled, whichever comes first,” in areas such as employee restroom, back storage room open to kitchen and in front of walk-in cooler.
• “Objectionable odors in area where triple sink is located,” along with an “accumulation of water and debris in this area.”

The restaurant reopened on January 14 after a follow-up visit found no violations.

Ichiban Buffet, located at 800 S. Federal Highway in Deerfield Beach, was ordered shut on January 13 due to 12 violations, including rodent droppings, stop sale orders, and accumulation of water and debris.

• About 24 rodent droppings “in dry storage area around water heater and behind washer and dryer,” “under counter at sushi prep area” and “under drain board in ware-washing area.”
• Stop sale: “Container of raw pre-shucked clams/mussels/oysters does not have a proper label.
• Stop sale:  “Observed raw, shucked oysters on metal pans in walk-in freezer without any labeling or tags attached.”
• “Observed container with packaged raw beef stored on shelf above bagged raw onions in walk-in cooler.”
• “Wet wiping cloths observed stored on food prep table opposite fryers, at hibachi station prep table, and at cook line in kitchen.”

The restaurant reopened on January 14 after a second visit found three violations (none high-priority).

Aki E Restaurant Bar, located at 1840 Harrison St. in Hollywood, was ordered shut on January 13 due to 12 violations, including live and dead roaches, stop sale orders, and accumulation of grease/food debris.

• About 26 live roaches in areas such as “on wall at back storage room behind reach-in freezer,” “on step leading from back storage room to prep room,” “on ground behind glass slide-top, reach-in freezer in prep room,” “inside of corner of two-tier shelf holding clean wares in prep room,” “inside of gap of right corner cove molding next to steam table on main cook line” and “on electrical wire at wall next to steam table on main cook line.”
• “Observed large buildup of roach droppings inside of not-in-use, one-door, white reach-in freezer.”
• More than 13 dead roaches “behind and inside back of flip-top cooler in prep room,” “on shelving holding dry storage items on main cook line” and “on wall behind fire extinguisher on main cook line.”
• “Prescription medication stored on shelf above cook line with single-service items.”
• “Cooked rice and beans stored in direct contact with plastic handle to-go bag in walk-in cooler.”

The restaurant reopened on January 14 after a follow-up inspection found six violations (two high-priority) and reopened later that day after a third visit found one basic violation.

Palm Beach County

Taqueria Tacontodo No. 2, a food truck located at 1100 N. Main St. in Belle Glade, was ordered shut on January 14 due to nine violations, including lack of potable running water and time/temperature issues.

• “Establishment operating with no potable running water.”
• Time/temperature issues involved pico de gallo and cooked rice.

The food truck reopened on January 16 after a third visit found one basic violation.

Conclusion

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation conducts regular inspections of restaurants and food establishments to ensure compliance with health and safety standards. When a restaurant or food establishment fails to meet these standards, it may be ordered shut until the issues are resolved. It is important for consumers to be aware of these closures and to check the status of their favorite restaurants before visiting.

FAQs

Q: Why are restaurants and food establishments ordered shut?

A: Restaurants and food establishments are ordered shut when they fail to meet health and safety standards, including issues such as roaches, rodents, and lack of potable running water.

Q: How can I check the status of a restaurant or food establishment?

A: You can check the status of a restaurant or food establishment by visiting the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s website or by contacting the department directly.

Q: What can I do if I spot a possible violation at a restaurant or food establishment?

A: If you spot a possible violation at a restaurant or food establishment, you can file a complaint with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.