Two South Florida Restaurants Shut Down Due to Health and Safety Violations

Introduction to the Shutdowns

The state last week ordered shut two Broward County restaurants with live and dead roaches and other violations. No Palm Beach County restaurants had emergency closure orders. 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.)

Broward County Shutdowns

Pikliz Resto & Bar

Pikliz Resto & Bar, located at 8267 Sunset Strip, Sunrise, was one of the restaurants ordered shut.

• Ordered shut: May 5
• Why: 12 violations (two high-priority), including:
  • Two live roaches crawling “on and around front counter” and “from front counter into kitchen.”
  • Three dead roaches “at front counter” and “under triple sink.”
  • “Observed household pesticide spray cans (4) stored near triple sink.”
  • “Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris and/or dust” throughout kitchen.
• Status: Reopened May 6 after a follow-up inspection found two violations (one high-priority), which required a follow-up visit. A third inspection on May 7 found one intermediate violation. Another follow-up inspection is required.

Artie’s Sportsmen’s Lounge

Artie’s Sportsmen’s Lounge, located at 2218 N. Federal Highway, Hollywood, was the second restaurant to be shut down.

• Ordered shut: May 5
• Why: Eight violations (one high-priority), including:
  • About 23 live roaches “inside of water inlets on top of water heater located across from triple sink in kitchen,” “inside of drip pan on floor around water heater,” “on ground in bar area” and “under two-door, glass-slider, reach-in cooler.”
  • About eight dead roaches on ground “at bar area” and “in storage area in kitchen.”
  • No soap, paper towels or mechanical hand-drying device provided at kitchen hand-wash sink.
• Status: Reopened May 6 after a second inspection found two intermediate and basic violations, with a follow-up inspection required.
  

Conclusion

The shutdown of these two restaurants in Broward County due to serious health and safety violations serves as a reminder of the importance of regular and rigorous inspections. It highlights the need for restaurants to maintain high standards of cleanliness and food safety to prevent the spread of illness and to ensure a safe dining experience for their customers.

FAQs

• Q: Why were the restaurants shut down?
  • A: The restaurants were shut down due to high-priority violations including live and dead roaches, improper storage of household pesticide, and lack of soap and hand-drying devices at kitchen hand-wash sinks.
• Q: How can I report a possible violation?
  • A: If you spot a possible violation, you can file a complaint with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
• Q: What happens after a restaurant is shut down?
  • A: Any restaurant that fails a state inspection must stay closed until it passes a follow-up inspection.