Rodent Droppings & Odors Found

Introduction to Objectionable Odors and Rodent Infestations

Six South Florida restaurants were temporarily closed last week due to kitchen violations ranging from “objectionable odors” to 66 rodent droppings around dish-washing and ice machines. 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.)

Palm Beach County Violations

Flare House

407 Northwood Road, West Palm Beach
Ordered shut: Sept. 3
Why: 12 violations (five high-priority), including:

• About six rodent droppings “under employee locker in clean dish storage area” in kitchen.
• One live roach “on floor in front of liquor cabinet” in kitchen.
• One live fly “landing on dirty dishes” in kitchen.
• Stop sale ordered for about “30 portions of raw salmon in commercially processed, reduced-oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use” as they were “no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package” in walk-in cooler.
• “In kitchen in front of deep fryer and hand washing sink, floor has puddle of standing water.”
• “Objectionable odors … in kitchen in front of liquor cabinet and ice machine.”
  Status: Reopened Sept. 4 after a follow-up inspection found two intermediate and basic violations; a follow-up visit was required.

Mariscos Casa Amigos

4469 S. Congress Ave., Suite 110, Lake Worth Beach
Ordered shut: Sept. 2
Why: 16 violations (three high-priority), including:

• About 11 rodent droppings “on floor underneath rack,” “on floor along wall” and “on shelf” at dry storage area.
• About 10 flies seen “landing on counters and walls” at bar.
• “At kitchen reach-in cooler and freezer, raw chicken stored in direct contact with nonfood grade (thank you) bags.”
• Time/temperature issues involved salsa and cooked beans.
• “Knives stored in between wall and equipment.”
• “At dish area, designated hand sink in disrepair.”
  Status: Reopened Sept. 3 after a reinspection found four intermediate and basic violations. A follow-up inspection was required.

China Lane

6619 Boynton Beach Blvd., Boynton Beach
Ordered shut: Sept. 2
Why: Eight violations (three high-priority), including:

• About six rodent droppings “on top of dish machine in kitchen.”
• Time/temperature issue involved cooked shrimp.
• “Observed hood filters soiled with grease and food debris.”
• “Observed inside walk-in cooler, raw chicken over cooked shrimp.”
  Status: Reopened Sept. 3 after a follow-up visit found two basic violations.

Sticky Rice Thai & Sushi

5885 Lake Worth Road, Greenacres
Ordered shut: Sept. 2
Why: Four violations (three high-priority), including:

• About 66 rodent droppings in kitchen “on top of dish washing machine” and “under ice machine next to dish machine.”
• “Raw fish eggs stored in the same container as imitation crab meat.”
• Employee handled a broom and “without washing hands, employee handled clean and sanitized bowls.”
  Status: Reopened Sept. 3 after a second inspection found no violations.

Asador Patagonia

675 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., Royal Palm Beach
Ordered shut: Sept. 2
Why: Six violations (three high-priority), including:

• About 30 rodent droppings “on shelves containing bottles of alcohol and bottles of drink mix.”
• About 11 dead roaches “on floor in dry storage closet in kitchen area,” “in dishwashing/prep/kitchen area underneath three-compartment sink on floor,” “in air-conditioning room closet in dining room area” and “at serve station area underneath single-service and food storage counters on floor.”
• Time/temperature issue: “At walk-in cooler, empanadas prepared on Sunday not date marked.”
• Stop sale ordered for dented can of mixed fruit.
  Status: Reopened Sept. 3 after a second visit found no violations.

Broward County Violations

Chef Dee’s

3919 N. Federal Highway, Pompano Beach
Ordered shut: Sept. 2
Why: 14 violations (two high-priority), including:

• Nine roaches in kitchen seen crawling “on sides of prep table opposite cook line,” “under reach-in cooler in prep area” and “underneath triple sink and dish machine” and in dry storage area “on lid on floor.”
• Eight dead roaches in areas such as “on floor in front of cook line in kitchen,” “on cleaned utensil storage rack next to plates,” “inside reach-in cooler on bottom shelf in prep area,” “on bottom shelf in dry storage area” and “on floor in front of reach-in cooler behind bar.”
• “Ceiling tiles and vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust or mold-like substance in kitchen and prep area.”
• “Observed cleaned cutting board stored on floor next to reach-in cooler in prep area.”
  Status: Reopened Sept. 3 after a follow-up visit found one basic violation.

Conclusion

The temporary closure of these restaurants due to severe kitchen violations, including objectionable odors and rodent infestations, highlights the importance of strict health and safety standards in the food industry. It is crucial for restaurants to maintain clean environments, store food properly, and ensure that their staff follows proper hygiene practices to prevent the spread of diseases.

FAQs

• Q: What happens if a restaurant fails a state inspection?
  A: Any restaurant that fails a state inspection must stay closed until it passes a follow-up inspection.
• Q: How can I report a possible violation in a restaurant?
  A: If you spot a possible violation, you can file a complaint with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
• Q: What are considered high-priority violations in restaurant inspections?
  A: High-priority violations include issues such as improper food temperatures, dead cockroaches, and other conditions that could lead to the spread of diseases.
• Q: Can a restaurant reopen after being shut down for violations?
  A: Yes, a restaurant can reopen after being shut down for violations once it has passed a follow-up inspection and addressed all the issues that led to its closure.