It was a tough week for restaurants across South Florida, with inspectors from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation finding troubling conditions at a string of high-profile establishments.
Christine Lee’s, the decades-old dining institution at Gulfstream Park, was written up for roaches, mold inside the ice machine, and even an employee hygiene issue after a worker wiped their face and then washed their hands without soap before returning to food prep.
Checkers in Fort Lauderdale was ordered shut after inspectors reported rodent droppings near food areas and even a cigarette butt left on the cook line.
King’s Super Buffet in Lauderhill also faced a closure, with inspectors finding droppings on food cans and a roach on the kitchen wall.
At Southland Mall, Kelly’s Cajun Grill racked up more than two dozen violations, including droppings, roaches, temperature abuse, and soiled kitchen conditions.
The list didn’t stop there -- see all the specifics below.
All the places mentioned were allowed to re-open following an ordered cleanup and re-inspection.
**CHRISTINE LEE’S
GULFSTREAM PARK
801 SILKS RUN
HALLANDALE BEACH
INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT
10 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 1) 2 live roaches on unused flat top in secondary kitchen. 2) 6 live roaches under and behind fish tank in kitchen. 3) 2 live roaches under glass rack in kitchen. 4) 4 live roaches under glass rack in dishwashing machine area. 5) 1 live roach under reach in cooler in kitchen. 6) 5 live roaches on floor between mop sink and water heater away from kitchen.”
“Dead roaches on premises. 1) 3 Dead roaches under rack in secondary kitchen. 2) 5 dead roaches on floor next to water heater.”
“Live, small flying insects found 6 live small flying insects on wall in dry storage area.”
“Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine.”
“Employee washed hands with no soap. Employee after wiping face proceed to washed hands without applying soap. Reviewed proper handwashing procedures.”
“Containers of cooked ribs stored on floor in walk in cooler.”
“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Sautéed Station- ; Cooked Pasta (46F - Cold Holding); Cooked Chicken (47F - Cold Holding). Per cook food items in unit less than 4 hours. Items not prepared or portioned today. Manager moved back to walk in cooler to quick chill.”
**CHECKER’S
400 EAST SUNRISE BLVD.
FORT LAUDERDALE
INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT
ORDERED SHUT 8/13
6 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 50 rodent droppings on high shelving units over handwashing sink area and dry storage shelves with individual ready to eat sauces. Additionally approximately 20 rodent droppings on high shelving units with packages of single service straws above the customer order window. Additionally approximately 10 rodent droppings on top of French fry dispensing machine by drive thru window. Operator immediately removed rodent droppings and cleaned and sanitized the area.”
“Live, small flying insects found Observed approximately 5 live small flying insects found on high shelving units over handwashing sink area and dry storage shelves with individual ready to eat sauces. Operator immediately removed small flying insects and cleaned/sanitized the area.”
“Dead roaches on premises. Approximately 3 dead roaches on high shelving units under packages of single service straws above the customer order window.”
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed on cook line hood- a half used cigarette butt and ashes/debris. Operator removed cigarette butt and cleaned and sanitized the area.”
“Hand wash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Operator dumped sanitizer bucket in cook line hand sink.”
FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION 8/14
“Observed approximately 1 dead roach by mop sink. Approximately 1 dead roach under grill. Approximately 1 dead roach under reach in meat freezer. Approximately 1 dead roach under auxiliary prep area. Approximately 1 dead roach under deep fryer.”
**KING’S SUPER BUFFET
7101 WEST OAKLAND PARK BLVD.
LAUDERHILL
ORDERED SHUT 8/15
15 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. 1) Observed approximately 30 rodent droppings on food cans stored on can rack and can rack shelves, in kitchen. 2) Observed approximately 10 rodent droppings on window ledge of kitchen office, in back area of kitchen.”
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed one live roach on wall above two compartment prep sink, in kitchen.”
“Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Observed personal employee food stored inside reach in cooler next to cook line, not identified. Employee removed food.”
“Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee cellphones and personal food items stored on shelf above prep table at cook line.”
“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. 1) Observed in Flip Top # 1 - Bean sprouts (54F - Cold Holding); Raw Shrimp (51F - Cold Holding). Per operator, food not prepped or portioned today; food stored in cooler for approximately 3 hours. Manager placed food in walk in freezer to quick chill. 2) PREP TABLE /// Raw Mussels in cold water (67F - Cold Holding). Per operator, food not prepped or portioned today; food stored out of temperature for approximately 1 hour. Manager placed in walk in freezer to quick chill.”
**KELLY’S CAJUN GRILL
SOUTHLAND MALL
20505 SOUTH DIXIE HIGHWAY
MIAMI
ORDERED SHUT 8/14
26 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed more than 20 droppings under the soda machine located at the front counter.”
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed a live roach crawling on the wall of the mop sink area located inside the kitchen. Also observed 8 live roaches inside an empty plastic container stored on the kitchen floor Also observed one live roach crawling on the floor of the kitchen area by the 3 compartment sink.”
“Dead roaches on premises. Observed a dead roach on the floor of the kitchen area.”
“Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed rice (102 F - Hot Holding) on a shelf in the kitchen area. As per employee rice was placed around 11:00 AM. Stop sale was issued. Also observed beans (62 F - Cold Holding); fish (66 F - Cold Holding); fish (72 F - Cold Holding); breaded chicken (71 F - Cold Holding); noodles (71 F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (60 F - Cold Holding). As per employee all food was placed around 10:00 am this morning. Thermometer was at 57° F.”
“Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling soiled throughout the kitchen area. Repeat Violation.”
“Floor soiled throughout the kitchen area. Repeat Violation.”
“Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed accumulation of grease on the floor under the grill in the kitchen area.”
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed wood cutting board soiled and no longer cleanable on preparation table next to the stove.”
“Clean equipment/dishware/utensils stored next to hand wash/food preparation sink exposed to splash. Observed plastic container stored next the mop sink.”
“Floors not constructed to be easily cleanable. Observed floor tile missing grout throughout the kitchen area.”
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed storage rack soiled located across the stove in the kitchen area. Repeat Violation.”
“Shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed at the storage rack across the grill and also at the walk in cooler. Repeat Violation.”
“Food preparation table has soil/old food residue. Observed at preparation table next to the stove in the kitchen area.”
“Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed accumulation of grease at wall next to the stove in the kitchen area. Repeat Violation.”
“Required employee training expired for all employees.”
**BANCHERO/CASA BANCHERO
2500 E. HALLANDALE BCH. BLVD.
HALLANDALE BEACH
ORDERED SHUT 8/13
8 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. 12 Rodent droppings on floor by water heater in kitchen area.”
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 1 live roach on wall next to water heater in kitchen area.”
“Live, small flying insects found 1) 6 live small flying insects in garbage can next to dishwashing machine in kitchen.”
“Accumulation of black/green mold-like Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated grease, dust, or mold-like substance. In kitchen. substance in the interior of the ice machine. Repeat Violation.”
“Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris. Wall above pizza station in kitchen soiled.”
**LAKAY FOOD SPOT
12325 NE 6TH AVE.
NORTH MIAMI
INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT
ORDERED SHUT 8/15
9 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 8 live roaches on the shelf where single service items are stored. In kitchen area. Observed 1 live roach crawling on wall by triple sink.”
“Dead roaches on premises. Observed 3 dead roaches under register table. In kitchen area.”
“Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Food debris on the floor throughout the kitchen.”
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gasket soiled gasket soiled. Repeat Violation.”
“No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees.”
FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION 8/16
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 8 live roaches on the shelf where single service items are stored. In kitchen area. Observed 1 live roach crawling on wall by triple sink. Warning On 8/16/2025 at the time of the callback inspection observed 5 live roaches in kitchen area.”
**BARCELONETA
1400 20TH STREET
MIAMI
ORDERED SHUT 8/14
8 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 5 roaches behind a reach in cooler. Observed one on the wall across from the reach in cooler.”
“Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Repeat Violation.”
**RESTAURANT EL TROVADOR #2
1657 NE 8TH ST.
HOMESTEAD
INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT
ORDERED SHUT 8/13
16 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 1 live roach at the dry storage. Also observed 2 live roaches on shelves at cook line next to chicken bouillon containers.”
“Dead roaches on premises. Observed 1 dead roach on shelves at cook line. Also observed 3 dead roaches under shelves at kitchen area.”
“Food stored on floor. Observed cooked octopus pot stored on floor at cook line, employee stored properly during inspection.”
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled food containers with cooked pork, cheese and cooked beans on shelves at walk in cooler.”
“Equipment in poor repair. Observed no lid on ice machine equipment at front counter . Establishment using a bag to cover ice.”
“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed raw steak (49F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (49F - Cold Holding); raw shrimp (48F - Cold Holding); cooked pork (48F - Cold Holding) on standing unit at cook line, as per employee door was opened during rush breakfast for approximately 40 minutes.”
“Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Repeat Violation.”
**SUBWAY
12853 SW 42ND ST.
MIAMI
ORDERED SHUT 8/11
18 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Live, small flying insects found. Observed approximately 10 live small flying insects flying around the mop sink in the dry storage area. Also observed 2 live flying insects flying around the three compartment sink in the preparation area. Also observed 1 live flying insect landed on the mayonnaise squeezable bottle. Also observed 3 live insects flying around the hallway next to the man and woman restrooms not located inside the kitchen.”
“Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed the top of the microwave from the interior with food debris.”
“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed ham (50F); pepperoni (48F - Cold Holding); cheese (50F - Cold Holding); turkey ham (47F - Cold Holding) located at the reach in cooler under the oven toaster at front counter. As per operator she brought food from the walking cooler to the reach in cooler at 8:00am today. Also observed ham (45F - Cold Holding); tuna (46F - Cold Holding); cut chicken (46F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese (47F - Cold Holding); located at front counter line as per operator she brought food from the reaching cooler under the oven toaster to the front line reach in cooler at 8:00am today, all the food was transferred from the walking cooler in cooler less than 2 hours ago. Operator transferred all the food to the walking cooler in cooler to rapidly cool.”
“Employee touched bare body part and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employees touched her nose then engaged in food preparation and failed to wash her hands.”
“Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed operator failed to wash hands after entering the kitchen coming from the dinning area, observed employee touching several surfaces including the kitchen door entrance before she started to prepare food.”
“Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Observed 1 employee began working with food without washing her hands first.”
“Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification.”
“No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees.”
**PURA VIDA MIAMI
6022 S. DIXIE HIGHWAY
SOUTH MIAMI
ORDERED SHUT 8/11
9 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Live, small flying insects found observed 2 live flies at mop sink on single service boxes. Observed 2 live flies under shelf in ware wash. Observed 3 live flies on wall and reach in freezer outside of walk in cooler. Observed 5 live flies at front counter flying around smoothie making station and on wall. Observed 2 live flies above prep cooler in kitchen area. Observed 3 live flies at front counter under service window. Observed 2 live flies under prep table across ware wash area. Repeat Violation.
“Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.”
“Accumulation of debris on exterior of ware washing machine. Observed exterior 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. Observed raw tuna not in original package over turkey bacon.”
**JOY’S ROTI DELIGHTS
1205 NW 40TH AVE
LAUDERHILL
INSPECTION BASED IN COMPLAINT
ORDERED SHUT 8/12
13 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 3 roaches crawling inside of four drawer cooler. Observed 1 roach by bathroom doors.”
“Dead roaches on premises. Observed 1 dead roach under prep table in kitchen. Observed 1 dead roach on floor kitchen by storage shelves in kitchen. Observed 1 dead roach on floor in kitchen by water heater.”
“Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw beef thawing in stank without running water.”
“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. chicken (50F - Cold Holding); cooked ox tail (52F - Cold Holding); cooked beef (52F); cooked goat (55F - Cold Holding). Per operator food cold holding in unit. Overnight. Food not prepared or portioned today.”
“Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. at 10:30am cooked potatoes 107F heated cooling for 30 minutes to 97F 11:40am. At this rate food will not cool down from 135F to 70F in two hours. Observed food covered cooling.”
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