Inspectors with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation had a busy week last week, shutting down nine South Florida restaurants and one mobile food unit for serious health and sanitation violations.
Among the most disturbing: Aromas del Peru in Coral Gables, where inspectors found sewage water seeping from a broken grease trap, foul odors wafting through the kitchen, and bundles of soiled linens contaminated with that same wastewater. All were reportedly left that way for three days.
Plumbing problems weren’t the only concern this week. Sagra Pizza Bar in Miami was cited for rodent droppings inside a mixing bowl used to make dough, while Tropical Smoothie Café in Fort Lauderdale had gnawed food packages and fresh droppings in its storage area.
Ayesha Fine Dining in Palmetto Bay, which we featured just last week for having a cat and roaches in the kitchen, was shut down again after inspectors found, once more, both roaches and a cat on the premises.
Other closures included Bob the Baker in Miami Gardens and Umami in Doral for roach infestations, Baia Blu in Coconut Grove for flies landing on seafood, and Leo’s Pizza in Miami, where droppings and dead roaches were found alongside improperly stored food.
Even a mobile sushi trailer, Sushi Sake FT1, was shut down for rotten produce and food being prepared outdoors.
All the places mentioned were allowed to re-open following an ordered cleanup and then a re-inspection.
**SAGRA PIZZA BAR
11052 BISCAYNE BLVD.
MIAMI
ORDERED SHUT 10/20
13 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed 10 droppings inside a bowl used to mix dough in bakery area located next to the kitchen.”
“Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine soiled. Repeat Violation.”
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled.”
“Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Pan with raw chicken on the floor under the shelf in kitchen area.”
“Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall soiled behind reach in cooler in kitchen area.”
**TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE
1609 E. EAST SUNRISE BLVD.
FORT LAUDERDALE
ORDERED SHUT 10/21
2 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Back storage room - open to kitchen - on dry storage shelves: 1. Approximately 5 rodent droppings on plastic container containing packages of almonds. 2. Approximately 3 rodent droppings on exterior of case of potato chips. 3. Approximately 3 rodent droppings on case of lids. 4. Approximately 12 rodent droppings on box of utensils 5. Approximately 10 rodent droppings under dry storage shelving.”
“Ice buildup in walk-in freezer - around circulation fan and accumulated on floor. Repeat Violation.”
FOLLOW-UP 10/22
“Back storage room - open to kitchen - on dry storage shelves: 1. Approximately 4 rodent droppings on top of box of potato chips. 3 bags with gnaw marks. See stop sale. 2. Approximately 6 rodent droppings on top of plastic container with packages of almonds. Plastic container has gnaw marks and 3 packages of almonds has gnaw marks. See stop sale. 3. Approximately 10 rodent droppings floor under dry storage shelving.”
**AYESHA FINE DINING
14151 S. DIXIE HIGHWAY
PALMETTO BAY
ORDERED SHUT 10/24
31 VIOLATIONS FOUND
ALSO ORDERED SHUT 10/14/25 (ROACH ISSUES/STRAY ANIMALS)
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 1 live roach crawling in reach in cooler across cook line where sauces and chutneys are being stored. Observed 1 live roach crawling on wall between chest freezer and reach in cooler. Observed 1 live roach crawling on dry food and single service storage table in storage closet located in kitchen. Repeat Violation.”
“Dead roaches on premises. Observed 1 dead roach in pot stored in dry storage closet. Observed 1 dead roach in dry storage closet on lid. Observed 1 dead roach on prep table leg; outside of walk in cooler. Observed 2 dead roaches inside of ovens on cook line in kitchen. Repeat Violation.”
“Roach excrement and/or droppings present. Observed on dry food rack hanging above lime juice in storage closet; 40+ droppings. Observed on box of single service in dry storage closet in kitchen ; 10+ droppings.”
“Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. Observed 10+ ants on same bench crawling where cases of flour, rice and mango cans which have been stored outside of restaurant.”
“Live, small flying insects found. Observed 1 live fly on case of mango; stored outside of restaurant.”
“Evidence of feeding stray/wild animals - food/water bowls provided outside. Observed can of cat food open inside of reach in cooler; where chutneys and sauces are stored across cook line. Repeat Violation.”
“Food stored outside. Observed cases of rice, cans of mango and flour. Repeat Violation.”
“Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed interior of microwave soiled; above reach in cooler at cook line.”
“Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed interior soiled. Repeat Violation.”
“Accumulation of debris on exterior of ware washing machine. Observed exterior soiled. Repeat Violation.”
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled shelves on dry food racks. Observed soiled shelves above reach in cooler where dishes and dry food are stored.”
“Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken over garlic and cooked chicken; inside walk in cooler. Operator moved to segregated area.”
**BOB THE BAKER
4518 NW 183RD ST.
MIAMI GARDENS
ORDERED SHUT 10/23
12 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 8+ live roaches in between broken wall located underneath of hand wash sink located in the kitchen next to the cook line.”
“Dead roaches on premises. Observed one dead roach on between wall and kitchen shelves, one dead roach in between hood and wall in kitchen area.”
“Equipment and utensils not washed, rinsed and sanitized in the correct order in three-compartment sink. Do not use dishes/equipment not properly sanitized. Observed employees washing dishes with not sanitizer solution. Operator properly set up the 3 compartment sink with chlorine sanitation solution of 100 ppm.”
“Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed chicken soup (106F - Hot Holding) on kitchen shelves. Steam table salmon (103F - Hot Holding); cooked chicken (110F - Hot Holding); cooked potatoes (114F - Hot Holding) For less than 4 hours as per operator.”
**SUSHI SAKE FT1 (MOBILE)
26216 S. DIXIE HIGHWAY
NARANJA
ORDERED SHUT 10/23
26 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Observed bag of rotten carrots in 2nd food trailer; 30 flies inside.”
“Live, small flying insects found. Observed in food storage trailer, 30+ live flies on produce rack, inside bag of carrots and landing on cases of potato and produce rack. Observed 5 live flies near dry food racks in 2nd trailer.”
“Food being prepared outside. Observed eggs outside being cracked and placed into container.”
“Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Observed dry dish rack stored outside of mobile unit.”
“Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed miso soup (86F - Hot Holding). As per operator less than 4 hours. Operator voluntarily tossed soup.”
“Mobile food dispensing vehicle license number not permanently affixed on the side of the unit in figures at least 2 inches high and in contrasting colors from the background of the vehicle. Observed no numbers posted on MFDV for license, operator Placed stickers during inspection.”
**LEO’S PIZZA
6720 SW 24TH ST.
SW MIAMI DADE
ORDERED SHUT 10/24
24 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed more than 30 rodent droppings on top of wood shelf in the dry food storage room.”
“Dead roaches on premises. Observed two dead roaches. One on the floor of the dry storage room and the other on the floor under the three compartment sink.”
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener and standing mixer soiled.”
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler gaskets soiled throughout the establishment.”
“Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. See stop sale. Observed pizza at 90°F stored on top of the shelf in the kitchen area. Stop sale was issued.”
**UMAMI
1400 NW 87TH AVE.
DORAL
ORDERED SHUT 10/21
20 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed four live roaches at electric control panel at dishwasher machine located inside kitchen area.”
“Dead roaches on premises. Observed two dead roaches under dishwasher machine rack, observed two dead roach in top of dishwasher machine, observed five plus dead roaches under handwashing sink next to 3 compartment sink, observed four dead roaches at small room next to chest freezer containing ice cream, observed one dead roach behind reach-in cooler unit at kitchen line, observed 10 plus dead roaches inside dry food storage area.”
“Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.”
“Accumulation of debris on exterior of ware washing machine.”
“Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed all throughout the kitchen prep area, dishwasher room.”
“No soap provided at hand wash sink.”
**AROMAS DEL PERU OF CORAL GABLES
1930 PONCE DE LEON BLVD.
CORAL GABLES
ORDERED SHUT 10/21
15 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Objectionable odors in bathroom or other areas of the establishment. Observed at take out area that’s located inside the restaurant, floors partially covered with sewage water coming out from the grease trap box, and emitting foul odors throughout the take out station, ceviche station and dishwashing station. According to the manager the bad odors have been like that for three days.”
“Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed at take out area that’s located inside the restaurant, floors partially covered with sewage water coming out from the grease trap box, and emitting foul odors throughout the take out station, ceviche station and dishwashing station. According to the manager the bad odors have been like that for three days. Observed two reach in coolers located in the same room with a variety of products like mashed potatoes and fish, vegetables and salads, and dressings. Also, observed bundles of soiled linen table cloth stored of floor with the contaminated sewage water.”
“Cracked, broken or missing grease trap lid. Observed at take out area that’s located inside the restaurant, floors partially covered with sewage water coming out from the grease trap box, and emitting foul odors throughout the take out station, ceviche station and dishwashing station. According to the manager the bad odors have been like that for three days. Observed two reach in coolers located in the same room with a variety of products like mashed potatoes and fish, vegetables and salads, and dressings. Also, observed bundles of soiled linen table cloth stored on the floor with the contaminated sewage water.”
“Accumulation of debris on exterior of ware washing machine.”
“Dumpster overflowing garbage.”
“Plumbing system in disrepair. Observed pipe at hand sink located at cook line loose and leaking water.”
“Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed at cook line. Employee changed task from soiled to clean but no wash hands and/or changed gloves.”
**BAIA BLU
3176 COMMODORE PLAZA
MIAMI
ORDERED SHUT 10/20
13 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Live, small flying insects found Observed at seafood/oyster preparation area of establishment approximately 20+ live, small flying insects flying and landing on prep table and coolers, fish, shrimp and oysters stored in ice display, walls, hand sink and cabinets in area.”
“Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed at seafood/oyster preparation area of establishment approximately 20+ live, small flying insects flying and landing on prep table and coolers, fish, shrimp and oysters stored in ice display, walls, hand sink and cabinets in area.”
“No soap provided at hand wash sink.”
**LA BRISE DES ANTILLES CULINARY
4269 NW 12TH ST.
LAUDERHILL
ORDERED SHUT 10/21
7 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. At kitchen, 10 live roaches observed crawling. 4 on water heater, 3 on floor near mop sink, 2 underneath stove, 1 crawling on box of oil.”
“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At kitchen reach in cooler, cooked rice (66F -Cold Holding); pickles (45F - Cold Holding)not prepared or portioned today. Operator stated items held out of temperature approximately 3 hours. Advised operator of proper cold holding parameters.”
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