We call them the “Dirty 30” -- restaurants that manage to rack up 30 or more violations in a single inspection.
None of the places on this list were ordered shut, but the sheer number of issues uncovered is alarming and, in some cases, downright dangerous.
Last week, two South Florida spots earned a place on the list: Bagel Express in Miami and The Restaurant at Croydon/The Tavern on Miami Beach. There is also an honorable mention that racked up 29 violations. Here’s what inspectors found:
**BAGEL EXPRESS
11616 KENDALL DRIVE (SW 88TH ST.)
MIAMI
INSPECTION DATE 11/10
42 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Evidence of employee smoking in food preparation, food storage or ware washing area. Observed employee vape pen stored on prep table next to orange juice machine at front counter.”
“Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Observed employee crack raw shell eggs and then grab clean utensils and bottle of oil without changing gloves and washing hand.”
“Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee put on gloves and begin to prepare bagel without first washing hands.”
“Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed employee wash utensils in hand sink at front counter without sanitizing. Advised employee to wash and sanitize dishes in triple sink.”
“Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored over bottles of mustard and mayo inside walk in cooler. Repeat Violation.”
“Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall soiled with old food debris by window in back prep area.”
“Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing water on floor near oven.”
“Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor soiled with old food debris in back prep area.”
“Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. At front counter.”
“Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed multiple ceiling tiles with water damage and cracks in back area.”
“Improper storage of maintenance equipment that interferes with cleaning. Observed single service plates and fan stored inside mop sink.”
“Food stored on floor. Observed box of liquid eggs stored on floor inside walk in cooler. Observed crate of cream cheese stored on floor inside second walk in cooler. Observed case of water stored on floor inside dry storage room. Repeat Violation.”
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler gaskets soiled. Repeat Violation.”
“Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand sink blocked by trash can and containers at dish area.”
“No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at hand sink in dish area.”
**RESTAURANT AT HOTEL CROYDON/THE TAVERN
3720 COLLINS AVE.
MIAMI BEACH
INSPECTION DATE 11/10
31 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed chicken tenders (56F - Cold Holding) in reach in cooler under the stove. A stop sale was issue.”
“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed chicken tenders (56F - Cold Holding) in reach in cooler under the stove. A stop sale was issued. Chicken tenders have been in the cooler since yesterday, as per employee. Also observed empanadas at 61 F , but as per employee for less than 4 hrs. Chicken tenders were discarded and empanadas were transferred to the reach in freezer.”
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener soiled.”
“Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed green and black mold like substance inside ice machine in kitchen.”
“Accumulation of debris inside ware washing machine. Observed soiled with black like substance inside dishwasher at the coffee station.”
“Accumulation of debris on exterior of ware washing machine. Observed soiled the top of the dishwasher in ware wash area.”
“Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed no handle bowl being used to scoop sugar.”
“Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling vents and tiles soiled all around kitchen area.”
“Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee opened water bottle and ice tea on prep counter.”
“Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed through kitchen and dry storage area. Repeat Violation.”
“Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed raw bacon stored not 6 inches off the floor of walk in cooler.”
“In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Observed ice scoop stored on the top of the ice machine in kitchen. That surface has not been sanitized.”
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled the side of reach in cooler near prep table, the door gaskets of reach in near hand wash sink and the hood filters above the stove. Employee started cleaning the door gaskets.”
“Soda gun dispenser not cleaned at least once every 24 hours. Observed soda gun soiled at the bar. Bartender cleaned and sanitized.”
“Standing water in floor drain/floor drain draining very slowly. Observed drain under the oven filled with food and with water standing and slow draining.”
“Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed the soiled wall behind the handwash sink at the coffee station.”
“Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in walk in cooler. Observed raw bacon stored under raw shelled eggs inside the walk in cooler.”
“Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all time.”
“Required employee training expired for some employees.”
HONORABLE MENTION
**SHORTY’S BBQ
9200 S. DIXIE HIGHWAY
MIAMI
INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT
INSPECTION DATE 11/12
29 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Observed employee come from outside of establishment and enter kitchen with no handwashing.”
“Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee pull up pants with gloved hands and no handwashing.”
“Live, small flying insects found. Observed 3 live flies in kitchen area above prep sink outside of smoker room.”
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled shelves where dry food and dish racks. Repeat Violation.”
“Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed throughout establishment.”
“Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed odor handles of microwave and other equipment soiled. Repeat Violation.”
“Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed throw out establishment. Repeat Violation.”
“Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed multiple employees with no hair restaurant engaged in food preparation. Repeat Violation.”
“Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed at back exit door and windows in prep area. Repeat Violation.”
“Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed in walk in coolers and in prep area. Repeat Violation.”
“Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor in walk in freezer in disrepair.”
“Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed in chest freezer. Repeat Violation.”
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets and exterior of multiple coolers soiled.”
“Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink, three-compartment sink, or mop sink. Observed at hand sink in kitchen, standing water. Operator plunged during inspection and water cleared from hand sink.”
“Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed in both walk in coolers and walk in freezer. Repeat Violation.”
“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on cook line: coleslaw (54F - Cold Holding). As per operator, less than 4 hours. Employees began to grab ice to put on slaw. Observed under corn steamer at front counter: coleslaw (54F - Cold Holding). As per operator, less than 4 hours. Employees began ran to get ice to put on slaw. Repeat Violation.”
“No soap provided at handwash sink.”
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