South Florida Food Establishments Shut Down Due to Health Violations

Introduction to the Issue

A food truck operating with no running water and pink-and-brown sprinkle donuts contaminated by flies were some of the issues that temporarily closed two food trucks and five restaurants in Broward and Palm Beach counties last week. The 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.

Understanding the Inspection Process

Any restaurant that fails a state inspection must stay closed until it passes a follow-up. If you spot a possible violation and wish to file a complaint, contact Florida DBPR. (But please don’t contact us: The Sun Sentinel doesn’t inspect restaurants.)

Palm Beach County Establishments

Taqueria Olinalteca Food Truck

Overview

4601 Forest Hill Blvd, West Palm Beach

Details

• Ordered shut: March 6
• Why: Three violations (two high-priority), including:
  • “No hot or cold running water for mobile food-dispensing vehicle.”
  • “Employees preparing food for customers, no water available for washing hands.”
• Status: Reopened March 7 after a follow-up inspection found no violations.

La Larga y La Quesadilla Food Truck

Overview

1941 S. Military Trail, West Palm Beach

Details

• Ordered shut: March 6
• Why: Three violations (one high-priority), including:
  • About 10 live and 10 dead roaches “inside mobile food dispensing vehicle,” found “under triple sink.”
• Status: Reopened March 7 after a second inspection found one basic violation.

Dunkin’

Overview

13889 Wellington Trace, Wellington

Details

• Ordered shut: March 5
• Why: Six violations (four high-priority), including:
  • About 40 live flies around “front counter near donut case,” “in donut storage case, some landing on wall and columns inside donut case, 4 landing on pink and a brown glazed donut with sprinkles, donut balls” and “at dry storage area of restaurant.”
  • Stop sale ordered for “donuts that were contaminated by flies landing on them: two pink glazed donuts with sprinkles, one brown glazed donut with sprinkles, three glazed donut balls.”
  • Time/temperature involved cheese.
  • “Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.”
  • “Observed employee handle wiping cloth from wiping cloth bucket with solution then began preparing drinks at beverage area” without washing hands.
• Status: Reopened March 6 after a follow-up visit found one intermediate violation, with a follow-up inspection required.

Big Louie’s Pizzeria

Overview

801 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach (inside Boynton Beach Mall)

Details

• Ordered shut: March 3
• Why: 11 violations (three high-priority), including:
  • Six live roaches near the kitchen’s chest freezers, cook line and dishwashing area.
  • One dead roach in “hand-washing sink near … reach-in cooler in kitchen.”
  • Five live flies “near dishwashing area in kitchen.”
  • “Plumbing system in disrepair. Observed in handwashing sink at front counter station.”
  • No soap, paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink near reach-in cooler.
• Status: Remained closed March 4 after a follow-up inspection found two high-priority violations. Reopened March 5 after a third visit found no violations.

Broward County Establishments

Wicked Cheesesteaks Pizza & Wings

Overview

4824 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale

Details

• Ordered shut: March 5
• Why: 11 violations (one high-priority), including:
  • Six live roaches observed “crawling along wall next to reach-in chest freezer in prep area,” “coming from door jamb in dry storage area” and “in wall opening at wall next to triple sink in prep area.”
  • About 12 dead roaches “in front of single-door, reach-in cooler next to cook line in kitchen,” “on floor in front of reach-in chest freezer near hand sink in prep area” and “on report card monitor at … two-door, reach-in cooler in prep area.”
  • “Observed black-and-white cookies and brownies individually packaged at the front counter without product identity/description, date product was packaged, and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food.”
• Status: Reopened March 6 after a follow-up inspection found one intermediate and seven basic violations.

Blended Family Foods

Overview

5534 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Lauderhill

Details

• Ordered shut: March 5
• Why: Nine violations (four high-priority), including:
  • Five live flies around front counter and “out-of-use, reach-in cooler in kitchen.”
  • About four live roaches in kitchen in flour and “falling from out-of-use, reach-in cooler.”
  • About 16 dead roaches “next to three-compartment sink,” “on floor next to chest freezer” and “next to glass reach-in cooler.”
  • Time/temperature issue: “Observed rice cooked 3/3/25 not date-marked in low-boy cooler next to cook line.”
• Status: Remained closed after a second visit that day found three violations (two high-priority). Reopened March 6 after a third inspection found no violations.

Bistro Creole

Overview

6130 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise

Details

• Ordered shut: March 5
• Why: Nine violations (four high-priority), including:
  • 14 live roaches “next to single-service items shelf in storage area behind kitchen” and “next to chest freezer in passage next to kitchen.”
  • Three dead roaches “next to single-service items shelf in dry storage area.”
  • Time/temperature issues involved cooked pork and turkey and fried plantains.
  • “Observed employee sweeping kitchen then proceeded to cut vegetables without washing hands.”
• Status: Reopened later that day after a second inspection found no violations.

Conclusion

The closure of these establishments due to health violations serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene in the food industry. It is crucial for both consumers and business owners to be aware of these issues and take necessary steps to prevent them.

FAQs

• Q: How often are restaurant inspections conducted?
  • A: Restaurant inspections are conducted weekly by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
• Q: What happens if a restaurant fails an inspection?
  • A: If a restaurant fails a state inspection, it must stay closed until it passes a follow-up inspection.
• Q: How can I report a possible health violation at a restaurant?
  • A: You can contact the Florida DBPR to file a complaint if you spot a possible violation.
• Q: Are the mentioned establishments currently open?
  • A: According to the latest information, all the mentioned establishments have reopened after addressing the health violations and passing follow-up inspections.