Introduction to Restaurant Inspections

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation conducts regular inspections of restaurants in Broward and Palm Beach counties. These inspections are crucial in ensuring that restaurants maintain high standards of cleanliness and food safety. Recently, 16 South Florida restaurants and one food truck were temporarily shut down due to high-priority violations.

Background on Inspections

The Sun Sentinel highlights restaurant inspections and spotlights places ordered shut for 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 inspection. If a possible violation is spotted, one can file a complaint with the Florida DBPR.

Broward County Violations

Several restaurants in Broward County were shut down due to various violations.

• Weston Diner, located at 4484 Weston Road, Davie, was ordered shut on July 18 due to eight violations, including live roaches crawling on kitchen walls, ovens, and floors, and temperature abuse on cooked chicken, hashbrowns, and sausage. It reopened on July 21 after a third inspection found no violations.
• Tropical Smoothie Cafe, at 1851 Cordova Road, Fort Lauderdale, was shut down on July 18 due to 13 violations, including live roaches on walls and behind hand wash signs, and accumulation of mold-like substance inside an ice machine. It reopened on July 21 after a third inspection found one high-priority violation.
• Steak Shop & Deli, located at 1801 E. Sample Road, Pompano Beach, was ordered shut on July 17 due to nine violations, including live roaches beneath dry food storage racks and temperature abuse on fries. It reopened on July 18 after a next-day inspection found three basic violations.
• Adypizza Criolla Cubana, at 6230 Pembroke Road, Miramar, was shut down on July 18 due to seven violations, including 28 live roaches in kitchen areas and five dead roaches in a soap dispenser. A follow-up inspection is required.
• Pollo & Steak Tropical Grill, located at 490 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, was ordered shut on July 16 due to 15 violations, including about 75 live flies resting and flying on garbage containers and walls, and a container of raw steak stored directly on top of cooked pork. It reopened on July 17 after a next-day inspection found three basic violations.
• El Bayu De Wela Sara, at 1917B Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, was shut down on July 16 due to six violations, including about 63 live roaches in kitchen areas and seven dead roaches on electrical outlets and cook lines. It reopened on July 17 after a third inspection found no violations.
• Harat’s By The Sea, located at 100 Commercial Blvd., Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, was ordered shut on July 16 due to 21 violations, including five live roaches on walls and floors, and employee failure to wash hands before putting on gloves. It reopened on July 17 after a follow-up inspection found seven violations.
• La Doña, at 1800 Sawgrass Mills Circle, Suite 2460, Sunrise, was shut down on July 15 due to 19 violations, including about 25 live flies at the dishwashing area and raw pork held over cooked octopus. It reopened on July 16 after a third inspection found no violations.
• U Sushi Japanese & Thai, located at 610 N. University Drive, Pembroke Pines, was ordered shut on July 15 due to 13 violations, including five live roaches on plywood behind a chest freezer and 19 dead roaches on floors and walls. It reopened on July 16 after a follow-up visit found one basic violation.

Palm Beach County Violations

Several restaurants in Palm Beach County were also shut down due to various violations.

• Mike’s Wings and Seafood, located at 2968 S. Jog Road, Greenacres, was ordered shut on July 17 due to nine violations, including about 67 rodent droppings on reach-in coolers and floors, and temperature abuse on cooked chicken. It reopened on July 18 after a third inspection found one basic violation.
• Alberte’s Restaurant, at 4595 Hypoluxo Road, Suite 7, Lake Worth, was shut down on July 17 due to 10 violations, including about 23 live roaches in kitchen dry storage areas and 30 dead roaches on floors and in sinks. It reopened on July 18 after a follow-up visit found no violations.
• Taqueira Uxmal (food truck), located at 2295 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, was ordered shut on July 15 due to three violations, including about 23 live roaches inside the mobile food dispensing vehicle. It reopened on July 17 after a third visit found no violations.
• First Watch, at 2335 S. State Road 7, Suite 1100, Wellington, was shut down on July 15 due to eight violations, including about 13 live roaches in kitchen areas and five dead roaches on walls and floors. It reopened on July 16 after a follow-up visit found no violations.
• Green House Boba Tea and Pho, located at 721 Village Blvd., #107E, West Palm Beach, was ordered shut on July 15 due to eight violations, including four live roaches crawling out of a fryer oil box, and temperature abuse on rehydrated rice noodles. It reopened on July 16 after a next-day inspection found one intermediate violation.
• Orient House Express, at 5970 SW 18th St., Suite E2A, Boca Raton, was shut down on July 14 due to six violations, including eight live roaches on utility piping underneath the cook line, and 15 dead roaches on floors and near front hand washing sinks. It reopened on July 15 after a follow-up inspection found no violations.
• Jersey Mike’s Subs, located at 2260 Woolbright Road, Boynton Beach, was ordered shut on July 14 due to nine violations, including seven live roaches on the floor between the grill and shelf, and temperature abuse on cheese and sliced tomatoes. It reopened on July 15 after a second inspection found no violations.
• Outback Steakhouse, at 6266 Lantana Road, Lake Worth, was shut down on July 14 due to three high-priority violations, including about 36 live flies at the bar and in hallways, and temperature abuse on cooked ribs. It reopened later that day after a second visit found no violations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, maintaining cleanliness and adhering to food safety guidelines is crucial for restaurants to operate. The temporary shutdown of these 16 restaurants and one food truck in South Florida due to high-priority violations serves as a reminder of the importance of regular inspections and adherence to health and safety standards. Restaurants must ensure that their facilities are clean, and food is handled and stored properly to prevent the spread of diseases and ensure customer safety.

FAQs

• Q: What happens if a restaurant fails a state inspection?
  A: If a restaurant fails a state inspection, it must stay closed until it passes a follow-up inspection.
• Q: How can I file a complaint about a restaurant?
  A: You can file a complaint with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) if you spot a possible violation.
• Q: What are high-priority violations?
  A: High-priority violations include issues such as improper food temperatures, dead cockroaches, and other serious health and safety concerns.
• Q: Can a restaurant reopen after being shut down?
  A: Yes, a restaurant can reopen after being shut down once it passes a follow-up inspection and addresses all the violations cited during the initial inspection.