Several South Florida restaurants were temporarily shut down last week due to serious health violations, including widespread roach infestations.
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Among the closures was Tehillah Garden Restaurant in Pembroke Pines. Inspectors noted over 90 live and dead roaches throughout the kitchen, including more than 10 live roaches inside a wall-mounted soap dispenser, 15 live roaches between the wall and the 3-compartment sink, and 20 dead roaches inside the same soap dispenser. Dead roaches were also found in spider webs, under storage shelves, and inside the oven’s gas system access door.
The Hollywood Donut Factory, a popular spot in Hollywood, was cited for at least 22 roaches, including 6 live roaches near a bakery table, 9 on wooden shelving, and 6 dead roaches next to the drink station.
Sunshine Bistros in Lauderhill had a total of about 8 roaches, both live and dead, near a prep table and mop sink.
Tu Cocinita Catering in Hialeah was found with 2 live roaches beneath a hand sink in the prep area. Inspectors noted that at the time of the visit, the establishment was actively preparing food for HSP accounts, which are typically health-supportive programs such as hospitals, senior services, or other institutional clients making food safety violations especially concerning.
While Un Attimo Specialty Coffee in Fort Lauderdale was not shut down, a follow-up inspection was required after at least 3 small flying insects were found, including one that landed on pastries inside a display case.
All establishments ordered shut were allowed to reopen after completing an ordered cleanup and passing a re-inspection.
**TEHILLAH GARDEN RESTAURANT
6994 PEMBROKE ROAD
PEMBROKE PINES
ORDERED SHUT 5/21
8 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed approximately 10+ live roaches inside of wall mounted soap dispenser on wall above mop sink next to triple sink in kitchen. Observed approximately 5 live roaches in between wood frame and wall holding water heater above mop sink next to triple sink in kitchen Observed approximately 10 live roaches on ground under dry storage shelves in right side corner of kitchen. Observed approximately 15 live roaches in between wall and 3 compartment sink in kitchen Observed 2 live roaches on wall behind reach in cooler in kitchen.”
“Dead roaches on premises. Observed approximately 20 dead roaches inside of wall mounted soap dispenser on wall above mop sink next to triple sink in kitchen. Observed approximately 10 dead roaches on ground under dry storage shelves in right side corner of kitchen Observed 2 dead roaches on shelves holding dry storage items on right side corner of kitchen. Observed 2 dead roaches on ground behind cook line equipment in kitchen. Observed 7 dead roaches inside of gas system access door of oven on cook line in kitchen Observed 3 dead roaches behind fire extinguisher sign on wall in kitchen Observed 10+ dead roaches in spider webs in between wall and triple sink in kitchen. Observed 8 dead roaches on ground under front counter. Observed 7 dead roaches on ground under reach in cooler at front counter.”
“Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. cooked beef (47F); cooked goat (49F); cooked turkey (61F); cooked griot (60F). Per operator items have been in unit overnight. Unknown time out of temperature.”
“Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. 1 door stainless: cooked white rice (63F-67F - Cooling); cooked black rice (65F - Cooling); cooked rice and beans (64F - Cooling). Per operator items were prepared last night and have been cooling overnight.”
RE-INSPECTION 5/22
“Observed 4 dead roaches in establishment.”
“Observed approximately 5 live roaches in between wall and 3 compartment sink. Observed 1 live roach on wall in back right corner of cook line. Observed 1 live roach on wall behind reach in freezer on cook line.”
**TU COCINITA CATERING
2430 WEST 8TH AVE.
HIALEAH
ORDERED SHUT 5/16
4 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 2 live roaches inside cabinet underneath of hand sink located near preparation area. At the time of the inspection at the time of the inspection establishment prepared food for HSP accounts and are ready to deliver them.”
“Food stored on floor. Observed gallons of milk on walk-in cooler floor. Repeat Violation.”
**THE HOLLYWOOD DONUT FACTORY
102 N 28TH AVE.
HOLLYWOOD
INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT
ORDERED SHUT 5/20
7 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 6 live roaches in gap between bakery table and leg at bakery table in donut prep area in kitchen. Observed approximately 9 live roaches on and in gaps of wood shelving along back wall in donut prep area in kitchen. Observed 1 live roach on wood shelving in dry storage room.”
“Dead roaches on premises. Observed 6 dead roaches on shelf next to drink station at breakfast bar area.”
“Accumulation of dead insects in control devices. Observed at control device under counter below front counter hand wash sink.”
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris. Observed on side of fryers in donut prep area.”
“Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed at drawers under flat top unit.”
**SUNSHINE BISTROS
1619 N. STATE ROAD 7
LAUDERHILL
ORDERED SHUT 5/14
9 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Approximately 3 live roaches in kitchen area underneath prep table and by mop sink. Operator killed roaches and began sanitizing area.”
“Dead roaches on premises. Approximately four dead roaches in kitchen area underneath prep table and around mop sink. 1 dead roach in hallway leading to kitchen operator removed roaches and began sanitizing area.”
“Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave in kitchen soiled with food debris. Operator began cleaning microwave.”
“Food being cooled by non- approved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Asber cooler at 11:25 pickles 50F ambient cooling for 1 hour to 50F at 12:20pm cooked chicken sauce 52 ambient cooling for 1 hour to 51F 12:15pm. At this rate proper cooling to 41 F in four hours will not occur. Operator moved food to freezer to rapid cool.”
**UN ATTIMO SPECIALTY COFFEE
3233 N. OCEAN BLVD.
FORT LAUDERDALE
INSPECTION DATE 5/21
6 VIOLATIONS FOUND
FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION REQUIRED
“Live, small flying insects found 1 small fling insect inside glass display case - observed it land on a cheese Danish and a blueberry Danish. Operator exterminated flying insect. See stop sale. 1 small flying insect found at front counter on display shelf. Operator exterminated flying insect. 1 small insect on wall next to mop sink.”
“Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. 1 small fling insect inside glass display case - observed it land on a cheese Danish and a blueberry Danish. Operator exterminated flying insect.”