Rodents, Roach Found in Sugar

Introduction to Restaurant Inspections

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation conducts weekly restaurant inspections in Broward and Palm Beach counties. These inspections are crucial in ensuring that restaurants maintain high standards of cleanliness and food safety. The Sun Sentinel highlights restaurant inspections, focusing on establishments ordered shut due to "high-priority violations," such as improper food temperatures or dead cockroaches.

Understanding the Inspection Process

Any restaurant that fails a state inspection must remain closed until it passes a follow-up inspection. If a customer spots a possible violation, they can file a complaint with the Florida DBPR. It’s essential to note that The Sun Sentinel does not inspect restaurants and should not be contacted regarding potential violations.

Broward County Restaurant Inspections

Dave & Buster’s

Located at 3000 Oakwood Blvd., Hollywood, Dave & Buster’s was ordered shut on Oct. 10. The reason for the shutdown was five violations, including one high-priority violation. The violations involved 12 live roaches in kitchen areas and 27 dead roaches in various locations. The establishment reopened later the same day after a reinspection found one basic violation.

Express Caribbean Restaurant

Express Caribbean Restaurant, located at 1401 S. State Road 7, North Lauderdale, was ordered shut on Oct. 6. The reason for the shutdown was two high-priority violations, including three live rodents on a glue trap near a hand wash sink and a time/temperature issue involving pikliz. The restaurant reopened on Oct. 7 after a follow-up visit found no violations.

Areito Bar & Restaurant

Areito Bar & Restaurant, located at 2022 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, was ordered shut on Oct. 6. The reason for the shutdown was 20 violations, including five high-priority violations. The violations involved live and dead roaches, accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the ice machine, and improper storage of raw bacon. The establishment reopened on Oct. 8 after a second inspection found four intermediate and basic violations.

Golden Rose Ice Cream Bar

Golden Rose Ice Cream Bar, located at 2733 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, was ordered shut on Oct. 9. The reason for the shutdown was two violations, including one high-priority violation. The violations involved the establishment operating with no potable running water and living/sleeping quarters that open directly into the public food service establishment. The restaurant reopened on Oct. 10 after a follow-up inspection found one basic violation.

Palm Beach County Restaurant Inspections

Burger King

Burger King, located at 4175 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, was ordered shut on Oct. 10. The reason for the shutdown was 12 violations, including eight high-priority violations. The violations involved standing water in the hand wash sink, employee handling customer payment without washing hands, and time/temperature issues with pasteurized liquid eggs. The restaurant reopened later the same day after a follow-up visit found one intermediate violation.

Aroma Indian Restaurant

Aroma Indian Restaurant, located at 731 Village Blvd., Suite 110, West Palm Beach, was ordered shut on Oct. 7. The reason for the shutdown was 15 violations, including 11 high-priority violations. The violations involved live flies, live weevils in a flour storage container, live roaches in the kitchen, and temperature abuse of cooked rice and butter. The restaurant reopened later on Oct. 8 after a reinspection found three intermediate and basic violations.

Tradicion Michoacana

Tradicion Michoacana, located at 4556 Cresthaven Blvd., West Palm Beach, was ordered shut on Oct. 7. The reason for the shutdown was four violations, including three high-priority violations. The violations involved rodent droppings, employee washing hands with no soap, and no date mark on milk. The restaurant reopened on Oct. 8 after a reinspection found no violations.

Conclusion

Restaurant inspections are essential in maintaining the health and safety of customers. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation conducts regular inspections to ensure that restaurants comply with food safety standards. Customers can play a crucial role in reporting potential violations to the Florida DBPR. By understanding the inspection process and the common violations that lead to restaurant shutdowns, customers can make informed decisions about the restaurants they visit.

FAQs

1. What happens when a restaurant fails a state inspection?
   A restaurant that fails a state inspection must remain closed until it passes a follow-up inspection.
2. How can I report a potential violation?
   You can file a complaint with the Florida DBPR if you spot a possible violation.
3. What are high-priority violations?
   High-priority violations include issues such as improper food temperatures, dead cockroaches, and employee handling of food without washing hands.
4. Can a restaurant reopen after being shut down?
   Yes, a restaurant can reopen after being shut down if it passes a follow-up inspection and addresses all the violations.
5. How often are restaurant inspections conducted?
   Restaurant inspections are conducted weekly by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
   
   Three live rodents found in a kitchen stuck to a glue trap, about six weevils crawling inside a flour container, and “living/sleeping quarters” directly open to an ice cream shop — these violations and more forced the state to temporarily shut seven South Florida restaurants last week.
   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.)