SOUTH FLORIDA — A series of state food safety inspections has uncovered a disturbing list of violations at eight South Florida food establishments, including rodent droppings, live roaches, flies landing on food, unsafe food temperatures and poor handwashing practices.
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation ordered all eight businesses to temporarily close after inspectors documented a combined 165 violations.
The inspections covered restaurants and food operations in Davie, Deerfield Beach, Plantation, Kendall, Miami and Lauderhill.
While the problems varied from location to location, pest activity was a recurring issue. Inspectors also documented food being stored incorrectly, equipment that was dirty or in poor repair and employees failing to follow basic food safety procedures.
All of the establishments were later permitted to reopen following required cleanup and re-inspection.
Nick’s Pizza Had Hundreds of Rodent Droppings
One of the most striking inspection reports came from Nick’s Pizza in Deerfield Beach, which was ordered shut on September 3 after inspectors recorded 12 violations.
Inspectors reported approximately 200 rodent droppings on the floor underneath shelving used to store food and utensils near soda coolers.
Another approximately 100 droppings were found across shelves of a speed rack, including on boxes, metal pans and table linens.
The inspection also found a black mold-like buildup inside the ice machine, along with accumulated food debris, grease, dust or mold-like material around ceiling vents.
Inspectors additionally found pizza being held under a time-based food safety procedure without the required time marking.
Dozens of Roaches Found Inside Raw Meat Coolers
At Q’Onda Taqueria in Kendall, inspectors documented one of the most extensive pest-related findings in the group.
The restaurant was ordered shut September 3 after 39 violations were recorded.
Inspectors found 30 live roaches inside a reach-in cooler where raw meats were stored, as well as additional live roaches inside cooler gaskets.
Another cooler contained 23 live roaches, while more than 15 were found around another reach-in cooler where sauces and shredded cheese were stored.
Roaches were also reported near the oven, grill and kitchen floor.
The problems went beyond roaches. Inspectors observed 15 or more live flies landing inside a container of tomatillo salsa, while additional flies were landing on onions and clean knives.
The restaurant also had issues involving food temperatures, dirty equipment, handwashing and the presence of household insecticide.
Rodents and Roaches Found at Other Restaurants
At Olivo Mediterranean Cuisine in Plantation, inspectors found rodent droppings on a preparation table, inside a clean tray and near a freezer. Food including hummus, cream cheese, sour cream and yogurt was also documented at temperatures above the required cold-holding limit.
Inspectors additionally found raw beef stored above sour cream and noted that employees were using only cold water to wash their hands because hot water had been turned off.
At La Rivera in Deerfield Beach, inspectors found live roaches under sinks and numerous small flying insects throughout the kitchen and dining area.
The restaurant had 15 violations and was ordered shut September 3.
At Asados El Paisa Broward in Lauderhill, inspectors found live roaches inside a paper towel dispenser and crawling on clean plates. Raw pork was also stored above produce, while raw eggs and pork were improperly positioned near ready-to-eat foods.
Flies Found Landing on Food
Several establishments faced problems involving flies.
At Thyme Machine, a mobile food operation in Miami inspected after a complaint, inspectors found a fly landing inside a bin containing cooked chicken.
The operation also had serious temperature-control problems. Raw chicken was recorded at 76°F, ground beef at 63°F, sliced turkey at 67°F and hummus at 72°F.
At Bagel Express in Kendall, inspectors found 30 or more live flies around molasses and more than 40 near clean bowls and containers. During a follow-up inspection, another fly was observed landing on bagels.
Inspectors returned to Bagel Express multiple times before it was cleared to reopen.
All Eight Businesses Eventually Reopened
Other violations included dirty floors, damaged ceiling tiles, inadequate handwashing supplies, employees failing to wash their hands before handling food and missing food-safety training documentation.
Subway in Davie was also ordered shut after rodent droppings were found and premade pizza was held at an unsafe temperature.
Despite the extensive violations, the inspection actions were temporary. All of the establishments listed were eventually allowed to reopen after completing cleanup and passing required re-inspections.
No restaurant kitchens in the Florida Keys were ordered shut as part of these inspections.
Would these inspection findings make you think twice before eating at a restaurant? Share your reaction in the comments.