Introduction to Roaches Found Dead and Alive
Six South Florida restaurants and one food truck were shut last week after state inspectors found violations including live roaches on a dough preparation table, an expired tub of ricotta cheese and no potable running water. 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.) The inspection process is crucial in maintaining the health and safety standards of restaurants and food establishments.
Broward County Violations
Sushiato
4483 Weston Road, Weston
Ordered Shut
April 10
Why
Seven violations (four high-priority), including:
- About 15 live flies “landing on clean cups, clean plates and shelves” at coffee station/sushi bar.
- “Raw corvina stored right above spice mayo and other sauces.”
- “Raw shell eggs stored on top of cooked rice.”
- Time/temperature issues involved grilled eel, cooked shrimp, tofu, seasoned salmon and fried plantains.
- “Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.”
- “Observed employee engaged in food preparation with silver bracelet on wrist.”
Status
Reopened April 11 after a follow-up inspection found no violations.
Le Gout Des Caraibes
1639 S. State Road 7, North Lauderdale
Ordered Shut
April 10
Why
10 violations (three high-priority), including:
- Four roaches crawling “into paper towel dispenser,” “in box holding trash bag” and on wall behind and next to microwave.
- Three dead roaches “in soap dispenser,” “in food prep sink” and “on shelf above three-compartment sink.”
- Stop sale ordered for blackened rice, spaghetti, pickles and hot dogs “due to temperature abuse.”
Status
Reopened April 11 after a second visit found two intermediate violations, and a follow-up inspection was required.
Japan Inn
1798 Market St., Weston
Ordered Shut
April 9
Why
11 violations (four high-priority), including:
- Three live roaches crawling behind a refrigerator at preparation/dishwasher room.
- “Raw beef (not commercially packaged) stored over lobster tails (commercially packaged).”
- “Raw chicken over portioned scallions.”
- Time/temperature issues involved pork dumplings and tofu.
- “Observed sacks of onions stored in splash area,” next to “handwashing sink.”
- “Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.”
Status
Reopened April 10 after a second visit found two violations (one high-priority).
Jayno’s Pizza
5272 N. State Road 7, Fort Lauderdale
Ordered Shut
April 7
Why
Nine violations (three high-priority), including:
- Three live roaches “on dough preparation table in kitchen” and “on glue trap next to office desk in kitchen.”
- About 20 dead roaches “throughout kitchen.”
- “Observed case of opened, diced, cooked chicken stored uncovered in walk-in freezer.”
- Stop sale ordered for expired tub of ricotta cheese.
- Time/temperature issues involved cooked chicken and meatballs (not date marked).
Status
Reopened April 8 after a follow-up inspection found no violations.
Red Door Asian Bistro
625 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
Ordered Shut
April 7
Why
10 violations (seven high-priority), including:
- Two live roaches “in dining room at hibachi area.”
- Stop sale ordered for two “cracked shell eggs in cook-line flip-top.”
- Stop sale also ordered for cooked rice and cooked chicken “due to temperature abuse.”
- “Employee entered cook line and began working with food — preparing rice — without first washing hands.”
- “Cook used personal cell with gloves on, then engaged in food preparation — cooking on grill without changing gloves and washing hands.”
- “Cook-line hand sink being used for food preparation.”
Status
Reopened later that day after a second visit found three violations (one high-priority); a follow-up inspection was required.
Palm Beach County Violations
Back Home Restaurant & Bar
4616 S. Jog Road, Greenacres
Ordered Shut
April 9
Why
Six violations (two high-priority), including:
- About eight rodent droppings in kitchen “on table with baskets of various sealed containers of seasonings” and “next to hot water heater.”
- One live roach “crawling on sealed containers of pasta” in kitchen.
- About 15 dead roaches in kitchen “floating in steam table water,” “in bin used to store clean and sanitized dishes,” “under steam table on floor,” “behind refrigerator on floor,” “on table with baskets of sealed seasonings” and “under food preparation table.”
Status
Reopened April 10 after a follow-up visit found no violations.
Rose Mass Take-Out (food truck)
4049 N. Haverhill Road, West Palm Beach
Ordered Shut
April 7
Why
Six violations (five high-priority), including:
- “Observed no potable running water at triple sink or hand-wash sink.”
- “At glass-door, reach-in cooler, raw shelled eggs stored over cooked rice.”
- Time/temperature issues involved cooked chicken and rice.
- “Observed employee washing dishes in large metal bowl then handled clean container of vegetable oil spread” without washing hands.
Status
Reopened April 8 after a second inspection found no violations.
Conclusion
The presence of dead and alive roaches in restaurants and food establishments poses significant health risks to consumers. Regular inspections and adherence to health and safety standards are crucial in preventing the spread of diseases. By understanding the inspection process and the common violations found in restaurants, consumers can make informed decisions about where to dine.
FAQs
- Q: What happens when a restaurant fails a state inspection?
A: The restaurant must stay closed until it passes a follow-up inspection. - Q: How can I file a complaint about a possible violation in a restaurant?
A: Contact the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). - Q: What are high-priority violations in restaurant inspections?
A: High-priority violations include improper food temperatures, dead cockroaches, and other violations that pose an immediate risk to consumer health. - Q: Can a restaurant reopen after being shut down for violations?
A: Yes, a restaurant can reopen after addressing the violations and passing a follow-up inspection. - Q: How often are restaurant inspections conducted?
A: Restaurant inspections are conducted weekly by the Florida DBPR.
