Roach issues force temporary closure of Latin, Chinese restaurants

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – State inspectors ordered four South Florida kitchens shut last week due to violations that could pose a health issue.

Roach issues were found at Mi Pueblo in Miami, Latin Cafe on the Beach in Miami Beach and China Steak House on Coral Way and Pizza Stop in Tamarac. 

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Meanwhile, waste water issues were discovered at Laf Laf Mediterranean in Coral Springs.

All the places that were ordered shut were allowed to re-open following an ordered cleanup and a re-inspection.

***Mi Pueblo Restaurant 

10910 W. Flagler St.

Miami

Ordered shut June 29

19 violations found

"Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed approximately 12 live roaches around shelves in food and dry storage area."

"Employee failed to wash hands before changing gloves and/or putting on gloves to work with food. Observed employee leaving kitchen area going to front counter. Then, employee came back to kitchen area, changed gloves to engaged in food preparation without washing hands."

"Dollies, pallets, racks or skids used to store or transport packaged food not designed to be moved easily to allow for cleaning access. Observed pallets type and crates to hold food or equipment making cleaning impossible in the area."

"Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Blood sausage 47° f, sausage 53° f, chicken 56° f, liver steaks 58°f."

***Latin Cafe On The Beach

441 W. 41st St.

Miami Beach

Inspection based on complaint

Ordered shut June 28

29 violations found

"Roach activity present as evidenced by approximately 15 live roaches found throughout kitchen area. 1 was crawling on the wall by the dish machine and 1 on top of hand-wash sink and 13 crawling on floor of food preparation area and ware washing area."

"Objectionable odor in establishment. Kitchen area."

"Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. No sanitizer being used **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**"

"Dish machine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dish machine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dish machine is repaired and sanitizing properly. **Repeat Violation**"

"Employee washed hands with no soap. Employee took garbage outside and came back in."

"Approximately 50 plus Dead roaches on premises throughout the kitchen area. Prep area/ ware washing area/ storage area."

"Slicer blade soiled with old food debris."

"Interior of oven has heavy accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris."

"Accumulation of lime scale on the inside of the dish machine."

***China Steak House

8565 Coral Way

Westchester Shopping Center

Miami

Ordered shut June 27

40 violations found

"Roach activity present as evidenced by 5 plus live roaches found on the gaps between wall and shelving located on top of dish machine where clean pots and pans are stored, observed 10 plus live roaches on the gaps between wall and shelving located on top of 3 compartment sink where clean pots and pans are stored, and observed 5 plus live roaches inside reach in cooler not in use next to dish machine."

"Slicer blade guard soiled with old food debris."

"Pots or other cooking equipment not being sanitized. Observed dish machine not sanitizing at the time."

"Interior of oven has heavy accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris."

"Dead roaches on premises. Observed 10 plus dead roaches around mop sink area."

"Interior of oven has heavy accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris."

"Plumbing system improperly installed or repaired. Mop sink blocked with equipment."

***Pizza Stop

8275 Pine Island Road

Tamarac

Inspection based on complaint

Ordered shut June 27

16 violations found

"Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found, 3 live roaches on the hinge of the reach in cooler at pizza station, 7 live roaches inside wooden cabinet by the reach in cooler by the pizza station."

"Interior of microwave soiled with encrusted food debris."

***Laf Laf Mediterranean 

2049 N. University Drive

Coral Springs

Ordered shut June 26

18 violations found

"Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed manager touch face and then touched clean spoon used to dispense pesto at front counter. He then removed the spoon, washed his hands properly."

"Establishment using a sanitizer solution that does not meet the requirements specified in 40 CFR 180. Only use single-service items to serve food to customers until approved sanitizer is available for ware washing. Operator is out of sanitizer and is manually putting chlorine bleach into dish machine each time to sanitize dishes."

"Hand wash sink not accessible for employee use due to items stored in the sink. Observed at hand wash sink in front counter, water pitcher stored in sink. Manager removed it."

"Standing water in floor drain. Observed with drain backed up with gray water under dish machine in ware washing area. Water is flowing into another floor drain and dish machine drain is draining very slowly. Observed also in drain under preparation sink in kitchen; the waste water is backed up also and drains very slowly. In both drains, the waste water is above the end of the pipe leading into the drains. When triple sink water is running, the drain under dish machine backs up again with water."