Introduction to Restaurant Inspections

The state temporarily closed three restaurants in Broward and Palm Beach counties last week for violations that included roaches crawling on “clean and sanitized dishes” and an employee wiping hands with a dirty cloth before picking up cooking tongs.

Purpose of Highlighting Inspections

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.

Filing Complaints

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.)

Broward County Inspections

Barracuda Seafood Bar & Grill

123 NE 20th Ave., Suite 7, Deerfield Beach

Ordered Shut

April 24

Reason for Closure

13 violations (one high-priority), including:

• About 17 live roaches in kitchen “crawling on wall and in wall crevices next to food prep table,” “on floor in front of cook line” and “on [caster] wheels at reach-in cooler opposite cook line,” as well as “on wall underneath cleaned utensil rack above triple sink in ware-wash area.”
• “Four dead roaches observed on bottom shelf of food prep table next to reach-in cooler in kitchen.”
• “Clam and mussel tags not marked with last date served.”
• “Ceiling tiles and vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance throughout kitchen and prep area.”
  

  Status

  Remained closed on April 25 after a follow-up inspection found 12 violations (one high-priority). Reopened April 26 after a third visit found five intermediate and basic violations.

Sapido Restaurant and Cafe

111 SE Eighth Ave., Fort Lauderdale

Ordered Shut

April 23

Reason for Closure

Four violations (two high-priority), including:

• About seven live roaches and 12 dead roaches “observed in kitchen next to two-door, reach-in cooler.”
• Raw ground beef stored over “washed, ready-to-eat eggplants” in kitchen’s two-door, reach-in cooler.
  

  Status

  Reopened April 24 after a second inspection found one intermediate violation.

Palm Beach County Inspections

El Centenario

6376 Forest Hill Blvd., Greenacres

Ordered Shut

April 21

Reason for Closure

Nine violations (five high-priority), including:

• About five roaches “in kitchen above steam table crawling on wall, clean and sanitized dishes, and box of sealed cans.”
• About 13 dead roaches in kitchen “on shelf used to store clean and sanitized dishes,” “on the floor in between low-boy, reach-in coolers and fryer, next to chip warmer” and “on bottom shelf of steam table inside of cardboard box storing canned goods,” as well as “on floor against wall” at a bar.
• “Employee handled cloth used to wipe and clean counters to wipe hands before handling tongs used to cook chicken and steak.”
• Time/temperature issue involved tomato salsa.
• Stop sale ordered for cheese sauce and cooked chorizo “due to temperature abuse.”
  

  Status

  Reopened April 22 though a follow-up inspection found two high-priority violations.

Conclusion

Restaurant inspections are crucial in ensuring the health and safety of consumers. The presence of roaches, dirty ceiling tiles, and vents can lead to the spread of diseases and contamination of food. It is essential for restaurants to maintain a clean and hygienic environment to prevent such violations.

FAQs

• Q: What happens if 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 restaurant?
  A: Contact the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
• Q: What are high-priority violations?
  A: High-priority violations include issues such as improper food temperatures, dead cockroaches, and employee hygiene practices that can lead to the spread of diseases.
  

  Originally Published: April 29, 2025 at 4:28 PM EDT