FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Several South Florida restaurants are getting more than just good reviews — they’re earning perfect scores from state food safety inspectors, and recognition for doing things the right way.
Local 10 News reporter Jeff Weinsier recently handed out the first Clean Plate Awards of 2026, recognizing restaurants with zero violations across multiple inspections.
Pleasures of the Sea: Perfect scores and purpose
The first Clean Plate Award of the year goes to Melvin Smith, owner of Pleasures of the Sea in Fort Lauderdale.
“Zero violations. Hard to do so we wanted to give you this. Thank you and your staff for doing the right thing,” Weinsier told Smith while presenting the award.
Smith’s restaurant, located at 2620 NW 19th St., has recorded zero violations across four separate food safety inspections, including its most recent.
Smith says there’s no secret formula — just discipline.
“If you drop it, pick it up. If you mess it up, you clean it up,” Smith said.
He made it clear to staff just how serious cleanliness is.
“I told my staff if we were ever on Dirty Dining I would replace the whole staff — and I meant that, and they know that,” Smith said.
Pleasures of the Sea operates as a “you buy, we fry” seafood market.
“It’s a you-buy-we-fry. As you can see, we have it all laid out. We weigh it up. They can take it raw or we can cook it for them,” Smith explained.
But the restaurant was built on more than fresh fish. Smith and his wife, Sonja, are former law enforcement officers who wanted to help people leaving prison find a way forward.
“People would come to me and say, ‘We need an opportunity, because we can’t get jobs,’” Smith said.
“I went to my wife and we prayed about it — and we started Pleasures of the Sea.”
That mission has paid off.
“We have had plenty of ex-felons come through, and now we have some that have gone out and started their own businesses — and they are doing well in the community,” Smith said.
When asked about the recognition, Smith said simply:
“It’s nice to be recognized. Hard work pays off. Hard work pays off.”
Papa Pizza Cubana: Five perfect inspections
In Miami Gardens, another Clean Plate Award went to Papa Pizza Cubana, located at 4625 NW 199th St.
“You have had five inspections with zero violations. We wanted to say congratulations to you and your family. Beautiful, thank you,” Weinsier said while surprising the owners.
The family-owned restaurant has logged five perfect inspections since 2023 and has been serving Cuban-style pizza for nine years.
“It is a family dream. We came from Cuba. My dad used to run restaurants over there, and finally we opened a small business. We did our best,” said Lazaro Clarens, the owner’s son.
Yes, Cuban pizza is a thing. It typically features a thin, buttery crust, lighter tomato sauce, and heavy mozzarella.
“Pizza, spaghetti and lasagna — a family recipe. The dough, the sauce — we make everything from scratch,” Clarens said.
The visit was unannounced, and the kitchen was spotless.
“Even the inspectors, when they come in to do the inspection, they tell the customers you can eat off the floor how clean it is,” Clarens said.
Pita Plus: Clean for nearly four decades
The final stop took Weinsier to Pita Plus, located on Stirling Road just west of I-95 in the Dania Beach/Hollywood area.
“Good thing or a bad thing? How is your inspection recently? Always good,” owner ElonCohen said when asked about inspections.
The kosher Mediterranean and Israeli restaurant earned zero violations on its latest inspection, along with two others in 2024.
“I wanted to congratulate you and your staff,” Weinsier told Cohen.
“We work really hard for that — the whole team. We have a big team here and we work really hard,” Cohen replied.
Cohen’s father opened Pita Plus in the 1980s, and cleanliness has always come first.
“Cleaning is the number one. It is the first thing people look at when they walk into a restaurant,” Cohen said.
The recognition came as a surprise.
“I’m excited, to be honest with you. We have been in business for almost 40 years — it’s a nice appreciation,” Cohen said.
“You surprised me. You walk in and she said, ‘We have cameras here!’ Cameras for what? I haven’t done anything wrong,” he joked.
From spotless kitchens to second chances, each of these restaurants is putting health, safety, and integrity on the menu.
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