Introduction to Restaurant Inspections
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation conducts regular inspections of restaurants in Broward and Palm Beach counties to ensure compliance with health and safety standards. The Sun Sentinel reviews these inspections and highlights restaurants that are temporarily closed due to high-priority violations, such as improper food temperatures or pest infestations.
Importance of Restaurant Inspections
Restaurant inspections are crucial for maintaining public health and safety. They help identify potential hazards and prevent foodborne illnesses. The inspections also provide an opportunity for restaurants to correct any violations and improve their overall cleanliness and safety.
Broward County Restaurant Closures
Several restaurants in Broward County were temporarily closed due to high-priority violations.
Thai Moon by the Sea
3026 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
Ordered Shut:
March 13
Why:
Eight violations (two high-priority), including:
- About 10 roaches in the kitchen “running under cook line,” “crawling up the side of the flip-top cooler opposite cook line” and “inside caster wheels on three-door, reach-in cooler opposite cook line.”
- “Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine in kitchen.”
- “Observed bag of frozen chicken thawing at room temperature on food prep table in kitchen.”
Status:
Remained closed on March 14 after a follow-up visit found four violations (one high-priority), but reopened March 15 after a third inspection found three basic violations.
Deluxe #2 Restaurant and Grill
996-998 SW 81st Ave., North Lauderdale
Ordered Shut:
March 14
Why:
Six violations (two high-priority), including:
- “Observed one live rodent running under three-compartment sink in kitchen.”
- “Observed ready-to-eat hot dogs stored with unwashed vegetables in reach-in cooler.”
- Time/temperature issues involved spaghetti and cooked pork (not date marked).
Status:
Reopened later that day after a second inspection found no violations.
Cucina Italiana
17 S. Pointe Drive, Unit G110, Dania Beach
Ordered Shut:
March 12
Why:
17 violations (five high-priority), including:
- About 28 live flies seen “around pizza station,” “around open bags of unwashed carrots and onions in rear kitchen,” “around open box of tomato cans,” “around mop sink in rear kitchen” and in other areas; two landed “on raw chicken breast in prep table” in rear kitchen.
- “Two crawling roaches on floor under condiment storage rack in rear kitchen.”
- Time/temperature issue involved mashed potatoes.
- “Open bags of flour in rear kitchen.”
Status:
Closed on March 13 after a follow-up visit found three violations (one high-priority), but reopened later that day after a third inspection found one intermediate violation.
Palm Beach County Restaurant Closures
Several restaurants in Palm Beach County were also temporarily closed due to high-priority violations.
Mike’s Wings & Seafood
2968 S. Jog Road, Greenacres
Ordered Shut:
March 14
Why:
Eight violations (three high-priority), including:
- More than 109 rodent droppings “in kitchen under cabinets on top of open boxes of single-service utensils,” “on top of reach-in cooler in kitchen at front counter” and “in kitchen next to containers of frying oil.”
- About “50 individual portioned packets of ketchup that have been chewed open and eaten” under cabinets.
- “In reach-in cooler, raw shell eggs stored over rice.”
- “In kitchen three-compartment sink, raw shrimp thawing in standing water.”
Status:
A follow-up inspection is pending.
Green House Boba Tea and Pho
721 Village Blvd., Unit 107E, West Palm Beach
Ordered Shut:
March 13
Why:
Five high-priority violations:
- About eight “live roaches in kitchen crawling on/under expo line.”
- “Employee entered kitchen from dining room, put on gloves and began preparing food for customers without washing hands.”
- “Employee touched face and then handled clean equipment and utensils and dishes to prepare and served food to customers without washing hands.”
- “At reach-in freezer, portioned plastic container of raw chicken stored over portioned plastic-wrapped raw pork.”
- Time/temperature issue involved cooked rice.
Status:
Reopened March 14 after a follow-up inspection found no violations.
Rodent issues — including one spotted scurrying under a sink and more than 109 droppings in a kitchen — were among the violations that temporarily closed five South Florida restaurants 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.
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.)
Conclusion
The temporary closure of these restaurants in South Florida due to high-priority violations highlights the importance of regular inspections and adherence to health and safety standards. It is crucial for restaurants to maintain a clean and safe environment to prevent the risk of foodborne illnesses and ensure customer safety.
FAQs
Q: What are high-priority violations in restaurant inspections?
A: High-priority violations are serious infractions that can pose a risk to public health and safety, such as improper food temperatures, pest infestations, or unsanitary conditions.
Q: What happens if a restaurant fails a state inspection?
A: If a restaurant fails a state inspection, it must remain closed until it passes a follow-up inspection.
Q: How can I report a possible violation at a restaurant?
A: If you spot a possible violation at a restaurant, you can contact the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to file a complaint.
