Inspectors with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation were busy last week, ordering several South Florida restaurants and even a food truck shut after uncovering a range of troubling conditions.
The list includes rodent droppings inside a state park concession stand, roach infestations in multiple Miami kitchens, and a Hallandale Beach ceviche bar where live insects were discovered in food prep areas.
In addition to pest issues, inspectors documented unsafe food temperatures, mold-like growth in equipment, filthy storage areas, and poor sanitation practices that posed health and safety risks.
All of the establishments mentioned were cleared to reopen following an ordered cleanup and re-inspection.
**THE GRILL AT THE GROVE
HUGH BIRCH TAYLOR STATE PARK
3109 EAST SUNRISE BLVD.
FORT LAUDERDALE
ORDERED SHUT 8/18
9 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Approximately 5 rodent droppings on dry storage room shelf containing cleaning chemicals. Approximately 25 rodent droppings on floor in corner of dry storage room next to cleaning chemicals. Dry storage room is adjacent to kitchen Cook line and prep area.”
“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. Prep area - Flip top unit under heat lamp - hot dogs (51-52F); sour cream (48-58F); salsa (58F); cooked shrimp (70F). Per operator items held in unit overnight. No items prepped or portioned today.”
“Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Under shelving in dry storage room. Under and around chest freezer by walk in cooler.”
“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. 1. Prep area - Flip top unit under heat lamp - hot dogs (51-52F); sour cream (48-58F); salsa (58F); cooked shrimp (70F). Per operator items held in unit overnight. No items prepped or portioned today. See stop sale. 2. Prep area - flip top along wall - ham (sandwich) (43-48F). Per operator placed in unit approximately 2 hours ago from walk in. Item not prepped or portioned today. Observed item stored above chill line. Operator moved back to walk in to quick chill. 3. Cookline flip top - cheese (41-50F). Per operator placed in unit approximately 2 hours ago. Observed item overfilled. Per operator item not prepped or portioned today. Operator removed excess and placed in reach in to quick chill. Repeat Violation.”
“Time/temperature control for safety food prepared from/mixed with ingredient(s) at ambient temperature not cooled to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 4 hours. 1. Flip top under heat lamp - pico - ambient cooling 1/2 hour at 2pm (71-73F - Cooling) at 2:50pm 65-68F 2. Prep area flip top - watermelon - ambient cooling almost 3 hours at 2:15pm (48-53F - Cooling) at 2:50pm 48-50F. At these rates proper cooling will not occur. Operator moved items to freezer to quick chill.”
“Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook line - cooked onions (85-88F - Hot Holding). Per operator holding almost 2 hours.”
“No soap provided at hand wash sink. Cook line.”
**TJ KITCHEN
15327 NW 7TH AVENUE
MIAMI
ORDERED SHUT 8/20
12 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 2 live roaches under prep table located at kitchen. Observed 4 live roach by reach in cooler located across from cook line. Observed 2 live roach on the floor mounted bread maker in kitchen, 3 live roaches on the wall behind bread maker, 2 live roaches crawling on the shelves where baking soda and seasonings are stored located across from cook line.”
“Dead roaches on premises. Observed 2 dead roaches on the floor by reach in freezer located across from cook line, approximately 5+ dead roaches on the wall behind floor mounted bread maker in kitchen, 5 dead roaches on top of the reach in freezer located across from cook line , 1 dead roach in the bathroom, approximately 5+ dead roaches in the lobby.”
“Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Observed 2 cans of tomato paste open with mold inside.”
“Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.”
“Storage area not maintained clean and organized. Observed front counter storage area not organized. Observed car seats, mattress and bed spring in the hallway of the bathroom.”
“Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed milk (47F - Cold Holding) stored in the reach in cooler overnight,as per operator. Stop sale issued Observed white rice (48F - Cooling) at reach in cooler. As per operator, prepared on previous night.”
FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION 8/21
“Observed 5 dead roaches in the lobby reach in cooler, 5 dead roaches on the floor in the lobby, 3 dead roaches on the floor corner by the reach in cooler, 3 dead roaches inside the gaskets of the reach in freezer, and 1 dead roach on the floor by the storage rack.”
“Observed 3 live roaches on the floor in the lobby, 1 live roach underneath the cambro at the front counter, 1 live roach by the bread mixer, 1 live roach on the floor by the store, 1 live roach on the floor by the reach in cooler, and one live roach on the wall by dry storage shelves.”
**JIN JIN CHINESE
15705 SW 56TH ST.
MIAMI
ORDERED SHUT 8/19
24 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 3 live roach next to handwashing sink. On 1 live roach under cook line fryers. Observed 3 live roaches next to handwashing sink by the walk in cooler. Observed 1 live roach on top of the water heater.”
“Dead roaches on premises. Observed 5 dead roaches on top water heater. Observed 1 dead roach by the handwashing sink at cook line. Observed 3 dead roaches under the three compartment sink at cook line near the storage area . Observed 2 dead roaches under wok cook line.”
“Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed at shelves located near the exit door bin with rice container with no handle used to dispense food.”
“Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed walk in cooler door handle soiled. Also observed door handle at bbq oven soiled.”
“Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed vents at walking cooler soiled.”
“Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed under cook line.”
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed shelves throughout the kitchen soiled with heavy grease accumulation.”
“Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed walls throughout the kitchen soiled with grease accumulation and food debris.”
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed reach in freezer located at the entrance of the kitchen soiled. Observed floor containers soiled.”
“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed chicken wings (69F - Cold Holding), stored in the three compartment sink, per employee out of temperature for less than 1 hour. Instructed employee to transfer the food to a cold holding unit.”
FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION 8/20
“Observed 1 live roach under cook line fryers, observed 2 live roaches behind the reach in cooler next to the handwashing sink at the entrance of the kitchen, observed walking 1 live roach under reach in freezer by the handwashing sink located in front of the three compartment sink.”
“Observed 3 dead roaches under wok cook line. Observed 2 dead roach inside the light shield across three compartment sink at cook line.
“Observed shelves throughout the kitchen soiled with heavy grease accumulation.”
**DR. LIMON CEVICHE BAR
801 N. FEDERAL HIGHWAY
HALLANDALE BEACH
ORDERED SHUT 8/21
5 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 1) Approximately 5 live roaches under stove in kitchen. 2) Approximately 4 live roaches crawling in unused oven in kitchen.”
“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Flip Top- ; Raw Calamari (50F - Cold Holding); Raw Seafood Mix (49F - Cold Holding). Per Manager food items in unit less than 4 hours . Items not prepared or portioned today. Observed ice buildup in unit. Manager add ice to quick chill. Repeat Violation.”
**RESTAURANT EL HONDURENO II
2298 NW 36TH ST.
MIAMI
ORDERED SHUT 8/20
19 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 10 plus live roaches on the left side of the cook line coming in and out of the bottom of the wall that is in disrepair. Observed 3 live roaches crawling on the wall on the left side of the cook line.”
“Dead roaches on premises. Observed one small dead roach inside of oven on the left side of cook line.”
“Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed mold like substance inside interior of ice machine.”
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled cutting boards on prep table in kitchen area.”
“Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed soiled interior of ovens on cook line and microwave by prep table.”
“Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed walls soiled throughout entire kitchen area.”
“Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting boards with excessive cutting marks on prep tables. Repeat Violation.”
“Food stored on floor. Observed a box of chicken on the floor next to prep table. Repeat Violation.”
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled gaskets on reach in cooler in front of cook line. Repeat Violation.”
“Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed employee washing container at 3 compartment sink with gloves, then grabbed something out the reach in cooler with no hand wash or glove change.”
**LALA’S BURGERS AND FRIES
FOOD TRUCK (MOBILE)
MIAMI
INSPECTION DATE 8/21
9 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Live, small flying insects found. Observed 20+ flying insects flying around inside the MFDV landing on cutting boards and prep table.”
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters at the cook line soiled.”
“Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall behind three compartment sink soiled.”
“Mobile food dispensing vehicle service opening not kept closed except during food service. Observed MFDV has no screen protection or sliding window at front counter.”
“Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification.”
“No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees.”
“Establishment operating without a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants.”
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