The Hungry Tarpon Restaurant at the popular Robbie’s Marina in Islamorada was ordered shut by state inspectors last week following an investigation based on a complaint.
The closure was one of several temporary shutdowns ordered by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation during recent restaurant inspections across South Florida and the Florida Keys.
Inspectors cited a wide range of issues, including rodent droppings, live mice, roaches, flies, mold-like buildup, improper food temperatures and other sanitation concerns. Among the more troubling findings were reports of a live mouse running through a kitchen, flies landing on ready-to-eat food, rodent-contaminated storage areas and dishwashing equipment that failed to properly sanitize utensils.
The establishments listed below were ordered to close until the violations were addressed. Nick’s Caribbean Restaurant remains closed. All other establishments were allowed to reopen after completing a required cleanup and passing a follow-up inspection.
**HUNGRY TARPON RESTAURANT
ROBBIE’S OF ISLAMORADA
77522 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY
ISLAMORADA
INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT
ORDERED SHUT 6/18
9 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed 7 rodent dropping on the window sill in the kitchen area. Observed approximately 12-15 rodent dropping on top of dish machine that were cleaned off during inspection.”
“Observed approximately 10 Live, small flying insects found in the kitchen and prep area above lift lid unit on shelving holding take out containers . Observed approximately 6 flies in the dry storage area. Observed approximately 10 flies in the dish room on shelving.”
“Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests observed 4 dead flies on sheet pans in the walk-in cooler Trays with dead flies were removed and put in dish area for cleaning.”
“Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris.”
“Grease on the ground and/or pad around grease receptacle.”
“Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Dish machine is not sanitizing , chlorine @0 ppm.”
“Dish machine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. 0 ppm chlorine Discontinue use of dish machine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dish machine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Triple sink is set up to sanitize with quaternary at 200 ppm.”
**TEE JAY THAI SUSHI
2254 WILTON DRIVE
WILTON MANORS
ORDERED SHUT 6/17
11 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 40 rodent droppings in the dry storage area on the floor, approximately 10 on boxes of single service items and approximately 20 on the outside of large plastic containers of rice.”
“Objectionable odor in dry storage area where rodent droppings were found.”
“Food stored on floor. Observed several food items stored in the floor in the walk in cooler.”
“Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves in the dry storage area and in the kitchen.”
“Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw steak not in its commercial packaging stored over ready to eat spring rolls and raw masago stored over ready to eat berries in the walk in cooler.”
“Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw steak stored over ready to eat sauce in the walk in cooler.”
“Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed medicine stored over ready to eat sauces and garlic in the storage area in the kitchen.”
**SORIANO BROTHERS CUBAN CUISINE
2393 WEST 78TH ST.
HIALEAH
INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT
ORDERED SHUT 6/17
21 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Live, small flying insects found, observed one live fly landing on slice of ham, 3 live flies flying on cafeteria station. Also 3 lives flies flying on main kitchen, one live fly landing on cooked pork.”
“Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.”
“Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed cooked pork (52/49F - Cooling) in walk in cooler, from the day before as per operator.”
“Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Red peppers strips. Antojos.”
“Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Over coffee station.”
“Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Observed beans (59/55F - Cooling); soup (133/130F - Cooling) covered during cooling process.”
“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed double reach in cooler cooked beef (46F - Cold Holding); Fish (46F - Cold Holding) Reach in cooler cheese cake (50F - Cold Holding); for less than 4 hours as per operator. Operator placed the food items in another reach in cooler.”
“Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed croquettes (119F - Hot Holding); tequenos (120F - Hot Holding); empanadas (120F - Hot Holding); in hot holding equipment located in cafeteria station. Also tilapia (122F - Hot Holding); cooked chicken (102F - Hot Holding); pork (113F - Hot Holding)in steam table, operator increased equipment temperature. Repeat Violation.”
**NICK’S CARIBBEAN RESTAURANT
1430 WEST DIXIE HIGHWAY
NORTH MIAMI
ORDERED SHUT 6/16
27 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Live rodent present. Observed a live mouse behind a storage cabinet located on a hallway on the back of the kitchen.”
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 10 plus live roaches on pipes and electrical outlets next to fryers located in the cook line, observed 10 plus live roaches behind wooden shelves located in dry storage room, observed 10 plus live roaches around water heater located in the kitchen area, observed 20 plus live roaches behind shelves located on top of three compartment sink, observed 20 plus lives roaches located behind signs posted on the walls all throughout the kitchen, observed 10 plus live roaches on the floor inside a walk in cooler that out of order.”
“Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.”
“Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Repeat Violation.”
“Cardboard used on floor as anti-slip measure not replaced every day or when heavily soiled, whichever comes first. Inside walk in cooler.”
“Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.”
“Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed floors under cooking equipment heavily soiled with grease all around kitchen area. Repeat Violation.”
“Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Repeat Violation.”
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.”
“Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed walls heavily soiled throughout the kitchen area Repeat Violation.”
“Exhaust system operated with filters removed. No means to capture grease and/or condensation to prevent dripping. Observed one filter missing in the hood system.”
“Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands.”
“Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Repeat Violation.”
“No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.”
“Food manager certification expired.”
“No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees.”
FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION 6/18
“Observed live rodent activity in the kitchen area, specifically one live mouse running through the establishment.”
“Observed 2 plus live roaches on top of wooden shelving units located in the dry storage room. Observed 2 plus live roaches on shelving near the three compartment sink. Observed 2 live plus roaches on the floor inside an out of service walk in cooler. Additionally, observed 3 plus live roaches crawling on the floor in the dining room area.”
FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION 6/19
“Observed a case with plantains bitten by rodents.”
“Observed 8 live roaches inside the paper holder device above ha washing sink in kitchen area.”
**SONIC DRIVE IN
2660 NW 199TH ST.
MIAMI GARDENS
ORDERED SHUT 6/15
31 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed in back storage area on top of boxes of to go items and syrups, 10 droppings. Observed 4 rat droppings on rack where soda syrups are stored. Observed on countertop at front counter where tea dispenser is, 3 droppings inside kitchen area. Observed 2 droppings inside of white sugar box stored under tea dispenser in main kitchen area.. Observed 2 droppings on top of sauces box near hot dog warmer in kitchen area. Observed 10 droppings in cabinet under prep table where power outlet is, in kitchen area.”
“Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed reach in across hot dog warmer with ambient temp of 47F. The following tcs foods stored inside for more than 4 hours: lettuce shredded (47F - Cold Holding). Manager discarded lettuce.”
“Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed throughout kitchen ceiling tiles and vents soiled with dust, food debris , and some tiles soiled with mold like substance.”
“Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed throughout kitchen.”
“Objectionable odors in bathroom or other areas of the establishment. Observed in the kitchen and near mop sink.”
“Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor in dining area with sticky residue.”
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