Uninvited Guests: Spider Colonies, Roaches, and Rodent Droppings Shut Down Three South Florida Restaurants

PALM BEACH COUNTY

Not So Bizaare Ave Cafe
921 Lake Ave., Lake Worth Beach
Ordered shut: Feb. 21

Why: Nine violations (four high-priority), including:

• 37 rodent droppings “on top of dish machine at downstairs kitchen,” “on the ledge by not-in-use, walk-in cooler at upstairs kitchen” and in other areas of the kitchens such as “on floor by not-in-use, walk-in cooler door,” “on floor under shelf by three-compartment sink” and “under prep sink.”
• Stop sale issued for sliced American cheese “due to temperature abuse.”
• Time/temperature issue also involved cooked rice.
• “Personal beverages stored with and above food in upright cooler.”

Status: Remained closed Feb. 22 after a second inspection found two violations (one high-priority). Reopened later that day after a third visit found one basic violation.

El Centenario
6376 Forest Hill Blvd., Greenacres

Ordered shut: Feb. 17

Why: 10 violations (seven high-priority), including:

• 18 live roaches “in kitchen walking on floor, on wall around electrical outlets, and on clean and sanitized dishes on shelf under prep table.”
• 25 dead roaches “in kitchen on floor, shelves with clean and sanitized plates,” “on floor next to coolers at bar area” and “in oven.”
• Stop sale ordered for cooked beans and seafood soup “due to temperature abuse.”
• Stop sale ordered for “10 packages of commercially processed, reduced-oxygen packaged mahi mahi bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use” because it was “no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package.”
• “Employee handled visibly soiled cloth to wipe hands and, without washing hands, employee began to handle and plate customers’ food.”

Status: Remained closed Feb. 18 after a second inspection found two violations (one high-priority), but reopened Feb. 19 after a third visit found no violations.

BROWARD COUNTY

China One
15711 Sheridan St., Fort Lauderdale

Ordered shut: Feb. 18

Why: 12 violations (five high-priority), including:

• “Three spider colonies in kitchen above drying rack above triple sink” and “one spider colony at front desk.”
• Five roaches “crawling around soda cooler at front” and “crawling on wall, around pots of soup on rack in kitchen.”
• One dead roach “at base of rack in kitchen.”
• Time/temperature issues involved beef, fried egg roll, fried chicken nuggets, and yellow rice.
• “Raw chicken (commercially packaged) stored above cooked pork bits (not commercially packaged).”

Status: Remained closed Feb. 19 after a follow-up inspection found eight violations (two high-priority). Reopened Feb. 20 after a third inspection found two basic violations.

Conclusion

The temporary closure of these three restaurants highlights the importance of maintaining a clean and hygienic environment, free from pest infestations and rodent droppings. Restaurant owners and managers must ensure that their establishments meet the required standards to protect public health and safety.

FAQs

* What is the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s role in ensuring restaurant safety?
The department conducts regular inspections to identify and address potential violations and ensures that restaurants meet the required standards.
* How can I report a possible violation at a restaurant?
You can contact the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation to report a suspected violation.
* What happens if a restaurant fails an inspection?
The restaurant may be ordered to close temporarily until it addresses the identified violations and passes a follow-up inspection.