Eight South Florida restaurants were ordered shut last week after state inspectors found serious health violations, many involving rodents and roaches.
Taka Karahi and Kabab in Coral Springs and La Placita Taco Grill in South Miami were cited for rodent droppings, with La Placita also having live roaches and flies.
Burger King on Biscayne Boulevard in Miami had widespread fly infestations, mold in the ice machine, and a sewage-like odor. The Original Pancake House in Fort Lauderdale, Pate Creole in North Miami, Sabor de Cuba in Medley, Krazy Chicken Plus in North Miami, and Sugar Babe in Fort Lauderdale were all cited for roach activity.
Tower Deli in Davie was shut down for flies on cooked food and raw meats stored over ready-to-eat items.
All the places ordered shut were allowed to re-open following an ordered clean-up and re-inspection.
Here’s a closer look at each case.
**TAKA KARAHI AND KABAB
7881 WEST SAMPLE ROAD
CORAL SPRINGS
INSPECTION BASED IN COMPLAINT
12 VIOLATIONS FOUND
ALSO ORDERED SHUT 7/17/2024(RODENT ISSUE)
“Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed 2 rodent droppings by kitchen two door stainless refrigerator. Observed 5 rodent droppings underneath dry storage shelves Observed 3 rodent droppings by cook line cooking equipment. Operator began sweeping up droppings and cleaned and sanitized area.”
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters heavily soiled with grease.”
“Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall soiled with food debris behind cooking equipment in kitchen. Repeat Violation.”
“Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken over ready to eat sauce in walk in cooler.”
**LA PLACITA TACO GRILL
7400 SW 57TH AVENUE
SOUTH MIAMI
ORDERED SHUT 8/5
15 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed above triple sink 4 droppings and inside reach in freezer insulation, 3 droppings.”
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 1 live roach on wall behind triple sink. Observed 1 live roach on cutting board on prep table in dry storage area.”
“Live, small flying insects found. Observed 10 live flies in dry food area, surrounding produce.”
“Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed in kitchen.”
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled shelves on dry food racks.”
**BURGER KING
9090 BISCAYNE BLVD.
MIAMI
ORDERED SHUT 8/7
20 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Live, small flying insects found. Observed 5 flying insects flying by office, observed 5 flying insects flying over three compartment sink near ice cream mix machine, observed 5 flying insects flying by sodas machine by drive thru, observed approximately 15 flying insects flying by drive thru floor drains, observed approximately 20 flying insects flying by front counter across fries station, observed 5 flying insects landing by prep table front counter, observed approximately 28 flying insects flying around lobby, observed 5 flying insects landing on tables at dining area.”
“Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.”
“Objectionable odors in bathroom or other areas of the establishment. Smell like sewage at dining area.”
“Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling soiled by dining area.”
“Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling soiled by dining area.”
“Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed folded eggs (123F - Hot Holding) at prep area hot holding unit drawers. As per manager less than 2 hours.”
From follow-up inspection 2025-08-08: Observed 4 flying insects flying at dining area, observed one flying insect flying by drive thru.
**THE ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE
2851 N. FEDERAL HIGHWAY
FORT LAUDERDALE
ORDERED SHUT 8/7
5 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 3 live roaches on wall behind flip top cooler next to hand wash sink on cookline Observed 1 live roach under Atosa Freezer in prep area.”
“Dead roaches on premises. Observed 5 dead roaches on floor under flip top cooler next to hand wash sink.”
**PATE CREOLE
12997 WEST DIXIE HIGHWAY
NORTH MIAMI
ORDERED SHUT 8/5
11 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 4 live roaches on the floor by handwashing sink in kitchen area. Observed approximately 12 live roaches on top of a gas tank in dry storage room. Observed 1 live roach on top of the reach in freezer on dry storage area.”
“Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave soiled.”
“Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Food debris in wall in kitchen area. Repeat Violation.”
“No soap provided at hand wash sink. No soap at handwashing sink in kitchen area.”
FOLLOW UP INSPECTION 8/6
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 2 live roaches crawling on wall by reach in freezer at dry storage room. Observed 1 live roach on top of the shelf in kitchen area. Observed approximately 10 dead roaches in kitchen area.”
FOLLOW UP INSPECTION 8/7
“Observed 5 live roaches inside the dry storage room. Observed 1 live roach inside the restroom.”
**SABOR DE CUBA
11710 SW SOUTH RIVER DRIVE
MEDLEY
ORDERED SHUT 8/5
15 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed five small roaches on the floor of the kitchen area near the exit door. Observed one live roach crawling on Styrofoam on cup on shelf in kitchen area. Observed two live small roaches crawling on the floor near double door freezer at kitchen area. Observed one live roach crawling on floor at front food service counter. Observed eight live roaches crawling on reach in beer cooler at front counter near kitchen entrance.”
“Dead roaches on premises. Observed two dead roaches under steam table at kitchen area. Observed eight dead roaches behind reach in beer cooler near kitchen entrance.”
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed slicer at kitchen area soiled with food debris.”
“Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken stored over cooked chicken at reach in cooler at kitchen area. Operator removed raw chicken and placed on bottom shelf.”
“Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed A/C vent at kitchen area soiled with debris.”
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed exterior of fryer with built up grease.”
**KRAZY CHICKEN PLUS
15030 NE 6TH AVENUE
NORTH MIAMI
ORDERED SHUT 8/4
15 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 3 live roaches under the preparation table, 1 live roach on the reach in cooler gasket in kitchen area.”
“Dead roaches on premises. Observed 4 dead roaches on shelves above reach in freezer in kitchen area.”
“Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Food debris inside reach in cooler.”
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in gasket soiled. Hood filters soiled.”
“Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling vents soiled.”
“Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw turkey not separated from raw pork, inside reach freezer.”
**SUGAR BABE
8252 SUNSET STRIP
FORT LAUDERDALE
INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT
ORDERED SHUT 8/6
10 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. -Observed 8 live roaches crawling on dish washing machine. -Observed 2 live roaches crawling on wall behind double decker oven. -Observed 1 live roach in kitchen behind water fountain.”
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. -Observed accumulation of black substances buildup on cutting board in kitchen.”
“Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. -Observed operator touch precooked turkey with bare hand.”
“Employee with artificial nails/nail polish working with exposed food without wearing intact gloves. Observed operator touch precooked turkey with bare hand while wearing nail polish. After brief education, operator then wash hands and wear gloves.”
“Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. -Observed precooked turkey (78-96F - Hot Holding) at cooking. Per operator, turkey cooked and placed at cook line 45 minutes prior to the inspection. Operator reheat turkey to 177F.”
“No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees.”
**TOWER DELI
2315 SOUTH UNIVERSITY DRIVE
DAVIE
ORDERED SHUT 8/4
13 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed approximately 5 small flying insects on cook line landing on cooked potatoes and raw shell egg.”
“Live, small flying insects found Observed approximately 5 small flying insects in prep area landing on garbage and clean dishes, approximately 10 small flying insects at dry storage landing on cans and single use items, approximately 5 small flying insects on cook line landing on cooked potatoes and raw shell eggs, approximately 5 small flying insects at front counter landing on cut vegetables and packaged bread.”
“Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed in dishwashing area.”
“Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw steaks over fries in reach in freezer. Also raw beef over bread in walk in freezer. Educated operator on proper storage procedures and operator stored properly.”
“Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw salmon stored over cooked potatoes and sauces in reach in cooler on cook line. Also raw nova over salads, pickles and jalapeños in front line flip top coolers.”
“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in flip top cooler on cook line diced tomatoes (57F - Cold Holding); sliced cheese (55F - Cold Holding); raw salmon (63F - Cold Holding); cooked vegetables (57F - Cold Holding). As per operator items were prepared and portioned approximately 3 hours before inspection. Operator moved to walk in cooler to quick chill. Repeat Violation.”
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