Sewage Backup and Dirty Conditions Lead to Temporary Closures of 10 South Florida Restaurants

Introduction to the Problem

An employee cleaned rodent droppings, then washed and dried their hands without using soap. Twenty-six roaches crawled around a restaurant kitchen, including under a food prep table. And about 42 flies buzzed around another kitchen, landing on beer spouts and clean dishes. These are just a few examples of the egregious violations that led the state to temporarily close 10 South Florida restaurants last week — six in Broward and four in Palm Beach County.

The Inspection Process

The state typically highlights restaurant inspections conducted by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation in Broward and Palm Beach counties. Inspections happen weekly, and the focus is on 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 a possible violation is spotted, and a complaint is wished to be filed, contact should be made with Florida DBPR.

Broward County Violations

Southport Raw Bar

• Location: 1536 Cordova Road, Fort Lauderdale
• Ordered shut: March 26
• Reasons:
  • 22 violations (10 high-priority), including about 35 flies seen landing on various surfaces, a roach inside a pest trap, and improper food storage and handling practices.
• Status: Initially remained closed after a follow-up visit found one high-priority violation but reopened on March 28 after a third inspection found no violations.

The Pup Tent

• Location: 1345 NW 40th Ave., Lauderhill (inside Lauderhill Mall)
• Ordered shut: March 26
• Reasons:
  • 10 violations (four high-priority), including about 75 rodent droppings, an employee not using soap after cleaning rodent droppings, and live flies flying around the kiosk.
• Status: Remained closed after a follow-up inspection found five violations but reopened after a third visit found three violations (one high-priority).

Anne’s Paradise Takeout & Catering

• Location: 2428 N. State Road 7, Lauderdale Lakes
• Ordered shut: March 26
• Reasons:
  • 20 violations (two high-priority), including about 26 live roaches in various parts of the kitchen and a dead roach in the dishwashing area.
• Status: Remained closed after a follow-up visit found 14 violations but reopened after a third inspection found three intermediate and seven basic violations.

Kussifay Argentine Pizza & Grill

• Location: 2652 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
• Ordered shut: March 26
• Reasons:
  • Nine violations (five high-priority), including live roaches, a floor covered with standing water, and an employee serving bread rolls with bare hands.
• Status: Reopened on March 27 after a second inspection found no violations.

Kaluz Restaurant

• Location: 3300 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
• Ordered shut: March 26
• Reasons:
  • Eight violations (two high-priority), including about 10 roaches observed in the kitchen and time/temperature issues with cooked foods.
• Status: Reopened on March 27 after a follow-up visit found no violations.

Ocean Alley Restaurant & Beach Bar

• Location: 900 N. Broadwalk, Hollywood
• Ordered shut: March 26
• Reasons:
  • 16 violations (three high-priority), including 14 roaches and 11 live flies, along with time/temperature issues.
• Status: Reopened on March 27 after a second visit found one intermediate and three basic violations.

Palm Beach County Violations

Chez Den Restaurant

• Location: 4422 Forest Hill Blvd., West Palm Beach
• Ordered shut: March 27
• Reasons:
  • Six violations (five high-priority), including a sewage backup and temperature abuse of several foods.
• Status: Reopened on March 28 after a second inspection found one intermediate violation.

Tijuana Flats

• Location: 6201 S. Jog Road, Suite 101, Lake Worth
• Ordered shut: March 27
• Reasons:
  • 11 violations (four high-priority), including about 42 live flies in the kitchen and temperature abuse of raw chicken and shrimp.
• Status: Reopened on March 28 after a follow-up inspection found one basic violation.

CocoCabana Bar & Grill

• Location: 2944 S. Jog Road, Greenacres
• Ordered shut: March 25
• Reasons:
  • Seven violations (one high-priority), including about 17 rodent droppings and an accumulation of mold-like substance in the ice machine.
• Status: Reopened on March 26 after a follow-up inspection found no violations.

Georgia Mae’s

• Location: 5029A Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach
• Ordered shut: March 25
• Reasons:
  • 10 violations (eight high-priority), including two live roaches, 20 dead roaches, and temperature abuse of several foods.
• Status: Reopened on March 26 after a second inspection found no violations.

Conclusion

The temporary closure of these restaurants due to severe health and safety violations highlights the importance of regular inspections and adherence to health codes. Consumers have the right to expect a clean and safe dining environment, and it is the responsibility of restaurant owners and staff to ensure this. By addressing these issues promptly, restaurants can prevent the spread of illness and maintain the trust of their customers.

FAQs

• Q: How often are restaurant inspections conducted?
  • A: Inspections are conducted weekly by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
• Q: What happens if a restaurant fails an inspection?
  • A: The restaurant must close until it passes a follow-up inspection.
• Q: How can I report a possible violation?
  • A: Contact Florida DBPR to file a complaint.
• Q: What are considered high-priority violations?
  • A: High-priority violations include improper food temperatures, presence of rodents or roaches, and other conditions that could lead to the spread of illness.
• Q: Can a restaurant reopen after being closed due to violations?
  • A: Yes, after addressing the violations and passing a follow-up inspection.