Introduction to Restaurant 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. 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.
Recent Restaurant Closures
Ten South Florida restaurants were temporarily closed last week because of violations including roaches “crawling on bread rack,” silverware stored under a fish tank and more than 100 dead flies “on clean dishes, on shelves and floors.”
Palm Beach County
In Palm Beach County, several restaurants were ordered shut due to various violations.
- Mr. Mack Island Grill, located at 2400 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, was ordered shut on Aug. 1. The reasons included eight violations (two high-priority), such as roaches crawling on the floor and dead roaches on the floor underneath reach-in cooler at the cook line. The restaurant reopened on Aug. 2 after a follow-up inspection found two intermediate violations.
- Real Wok, located at 4640 Hypoluxo Road, Suite 5, Lake Worth, was ordered shut on July 31. The reasons included 23 violations (12 high-priority), such as roaches crawling on the lid inside of a rice storage bin and dead roaches in areas like on floor by ice machine. The restaurant closed again on Aug. 1 after a second visit found six violations (four high-priority) but reopened later that day after a third inspection found no violations.
- TooJay’s Deli, located at 3013 Yamato Road, Boca Raton, was ordered shut on July 30. The reasons included five violations (two high-priority), such as three live roaches in the kitchen area and time/temperature issues involved butter and sliced cheese. The restaurant reopened on July 31 after a follow-up inspection found no violations.
- CocoCabana Bar & Grill, located at 2944 S. Jog Road, Greenacres, was ordered shut on July 29. The reasons included five violations (three high-priority), such as about 11 rodent droppings in areas like under dry storage shelves and raw chicken stored directly above raw beef. The restaurant reopened later that day after a follow-up inspection found one high-priority violation.
Broward County
In Broward County, several restaurants were also ordered shut due to various violations.
- ASB Piman Restaurant, located at 6025 Kimberly Blvd., North Lauderdale, was ordered shut on July 30. The reasons included 11 violations (four high-priority), such as more than 20 roaches crawling underneath the refrigerator and about 25 dead roaches in dry food storage area. The restaurant closed again on July 31 after a follow-up visit found three violations (one high-priority) but reopened on Aug. 1 after a third inspection found no violations.
- Kalalou Caribbean Bar & Grill Fort Lauderdale, located at 7041 W. Commercial Blvd., Tamarac, was ordered shut on July 30. The reasons included 21 violations (10 high-priority), such as more than 50 rodent droppings in dry storage and more than 100 dead flies throughout the establishment. The restaurant closed again on July 31 after a second inspection found four violations (one high-priority) but reopened on Aug. 1 after a third visit found no violations.
- Pita Pockets, located at 2727 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, was ordered shut on July 30. The reasons included eight violations (four high-priority), such as 11 live roaches seen in spots like on rice-stuffed grape leaves on the front cook line. The restaurant remained closed after a same-day reinspection found six violations (two high-priority) but reopened on July 31 after a third visit found no violations.
- La Torretta, located at 308 Indian Trace, Weston, was ordered shut on July 30. The reasons included 19 violations (seven high-priority), such as about 10 flies landing on flour bags and dirty wiping cloths at the dishwasher area. The restaurant reopened on July 31 after a follow-up inspection found eight violations (four high-priority).
- Wings in Weston, located at 1354 SW 160th Ave., Weston, was ordered shut on July 28. The reasons included 16 violations (six high-priority), such as nine live roaches crawling on the bread rack in the kitchen. The restaurant reopened on July 29 after a follow-up inspection found two basic violations.
- Midnight Cookies & Cream, located at 3341 Sheridan St., Hollywood, was ordered shut on July 28. The reasons included eight violations (one high-priority), such as two live roaches in kitchen areas. The restaurant reopened on July 29 after a second inspection found six intermediate and basic violations.
Conclusion
Restaurant inspections are crucial for ensuring the health and safety of consumers. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation conducts regular inspections to identify high-priority violations, such as improper food temperatures or dead cockroaches. Restaurants that fail to meet these standards are ordered shut until they pass a follow-up inspection. It is essential for consumers to be aware of these inspections and to report any potential violations to the authorities.
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 potential violation?
A: You can contact the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to file a complaint. - 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 I check the inspection history of a restaurant?
A: Yes, you can check the inspection history of a restaurant through the Florida DBPR website or by contacting them directly. - Q: How often are restaurant inspections conducted?
A: Restaurant inspections are conducted regularly, typically on a weekly basis, by the Florida DBPR.
Ten South Florida restaurants were temporarily closed last week because of violations including roaches “crawling on bread rack,” silverware stored under a fish tank and more than 100 dead flies “on clean dishes, on shelves and floors.” 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.)