Dirty Dining in South Florida: 150 plus rodent droppings found inside restaurant

The Monina Restaurant and Lounge is at 1325 SW 70 Ave., in West Miami. (Copyright 2023 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.)

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – Below is a list of places inspected by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation last week.

Several places were ordered shut had rodent issues.

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The Sandbar Grill in Miami was not ordered shut but records show they did have a roach issue.

The McDonald’s remains closed as of this post.

All the other places mentioned were allowed to re-open following an ordered clean-up and re-inspection.

**MONINA RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE

1325 SW 70TH AVE.

WEST MIAMI

ORDERED SHUT 12/13

33 VIOLATIONS FOUND

“Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed in the kitchen: approximately 8+ rodent droppings on the floor by the standup reach in cooler by the table with the hookah, by the two service windows, approximately 20+ rodent droppings on the floor, approximately 10+ rodent droppings on alongside the wall underneath a table in front of the stove, nearby the back door: behind the large chest reach in freezer: approximately 25+ rodent droppings on the floor, approximately 30+ rodent droppings on the floor underneath the hot water heater, approximately 20+ rodent droppings underneath the tables with the microwave stored on top, approximately 20+ rodent droppings on the floor the area between the non-working walk-in cooler and the working duo walk in freezer/walk in cooler, approximately 15+ rodent droppings on the floor underneath the table with the two microwaves, approximately 6 rodent droppings underneath double glass door reach in cooler, approximately 35+ rodent droppings underneath and behind the small chest reach in freezer, back bar: approximately 6 rodent droppings on the floor underneath the three compartment sink, 4 rodent droppings in the window sill, 3 rodent droppings on the floor underneath the window sill, 2 rodent droppings by the entrance to the back bar, 3 rodent droppings behind the door by the back bar, front counter: by the sandwich presser, approximately 10+ rodent droppings in the corner by nearby the table, equipment storage area: 4 rodent droppings on the floor by the large chairs.”

“Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed live 3 flies landing at preparation table, located at back kitchen, 2 live flies landing on clean plates stored near three compartment sink, and 4 live flies flying through the kitchen by the cook line.”

“Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. Front counter.”

“Hand wash sink removed from food preparation/dishwashing area. Must be reinstalled in the same location where removed. Observed no hand sink in the Sandwich station, observed employee preparing toast to a customer during the inspection. Observed in the kitchen, no hand washing sink nearby the small three compartment sink by the entrance to the kitchen.”

“No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress.”

“Equipment in poor repair. Observed walk in freezer in disrepair, no food stored inside at time of inspection. Repeat Violation.”

“No soap provided at hand wash sink, located at back kitchen near chest freezer. Repeat Violation,”

**MCDONALDS

345 NE 2ND AVE.

MIAMI

ORDERED SHUT 12/14

4 VIOLATIONS FOUND

“A minimum of one bathroom facility is not available for public use. The observed restaurant is being remodeled and is open to the public and is serving food through a makeshift window. The establishment does not have functioning restrooms for customers and employees.”

**PETER’S KITCHEN

14775 SW 184TH ST.

SOUTHWEST MIAMI DADE(RICHMOND WEST)

ORDERED SHUT 12/14

24 VIOLATIONS FOUND

“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed more than 12 live roaches crawling in the kitchen floor, under the reach in freezer, the hallway and under the kitchen grill.”

“Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed rice stored next to the grill at 78° F.As per employee for less than 1 hour. Rice was reheated to167° F.”

“Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed floor soiled with food exposed under equipment and shelves throughout the kitchen and at the walk in freezer. Repeat Violation.”

“In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Observed a cup used as spoon inside the beef. Repeat Violation.”

“Stored food not covered. Observed all the food inside the reach in cooler, walk in cooler and walk in freezer not covered. Repeat Violation.”

**ANDY’S CABANA

308 PETRONIA ST.

KEY WEST

ORDERED SHUT 12/12

6 VIOLATIONS FOUND

“Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 30 rodent droppings in the back wall area of establishment in the following areas: 3 under mop sink 4 under three compartment sink 5 under two compartment sink 5 behind small deep reach in freezer 10 behind fryer 3:under shelving next to fryer.”

“Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice bin and deflector plate in ice machine in closed in closet on side of establishment soiled. Repeat Violation.”

“Food manager certification expired.”

RE-INSPECTION 12/13

“From follow-up inspection 2023-12-13: At callback observed 3 rodent droppings under deep freezer in corner of kitchen. Operator cleaned up droppings.”

**SANDBAR GRILL

3426 MAIN HIGHWAY

COCONUT GROVE

INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT

INSPECTION DATE 12/14

27 VIOLATIONS FOUND

FOLLOW UP INSPECTION REQUIRED

“Dead roaches on premises. Observed one dead roach outside of men’s bathroom. Observed approximately ten dead roaches in dry storage area under shelving. Observed two dead roaches underneath walk in cooler door. Observed in ice machine area one dead roach. Manager began to pick up and discard dead roaches.”

“Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed under stove and fryer soiled with grease accumulation.”

“Food stored on floor. Observed in dry storage room, a bag of rice and container of oil stored on floor. Observed two containers of pickles stored on floor in walk in cooler.”

“Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed at reach in cooler under grill raw beef patties and shrimp stored over cooked chicken wings. Observed in reach in cooler located next to dish washing area, raw steak stored next to cooked rice and beans.”

“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can open soiled with food build up.”

**LUZ AMERICA HERNANDEZ

504 NORTH STATE ROAD 7

HOLLYWOOD

INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT

ORDERED SHUT 12/15

6 VIOLATIONS FOUND

“Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. 1) 13 rodent droppings under chest freezer in dining area away from the kitchen. 2) 2 rodent droppings under preparation table in kitchen.”

“Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Cooked rice stored in Thank you bag.”

“Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Ziplock bags of raw beef and raw chicken stored above bags of raw shrimps and fries in white freezer across from small chest freezer in hallway. Manager inverted and moved fries to another freezer.”

**MA PRAO THAI CUISINE

4838 NORTH FEDERAL HIGHWAY

FORT LAUDERDALE

ORDERED SHUT 12/11

23 VIOLATIONS FOUND

“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 6 live roaches stuck to stick trap on top of reach in freezer next to triple sink. Operator discarded and cleaned/sanitized the area.”

“Dead roaches on premises. 1 dead on shelf at front counter. 1 dead in hallway leading to restrooms.”

“Accumulation of dead roaches/ insects (approximately 10) in control device on top of reach in freezer by triple sink.”

“Accumulation of debris on exterior of ware washing machine.”

“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Magnetic knife rack at cook line - visibly soiled.”

“Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Walk in cooler - raw shell eggs - ambient temperature (56F). Per operator items held in unit overnight. No items prepped or portioned today. Observed large block of ice covering condensing area.”

“Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Repeat Violation.”

**TEE-JAY THAI SUSHI RESTAURANT

5975 NORTH FEDERAL HIGHWAY

FORT LAUDERDALE

ORDERED SHUT 12/14

13 VIOLATIONS FOUND

“Sewage/wastewater backing up through floor drains. Floor drain in storage room containing, ice machine and entrance to walk in cooler - floor drain with accumulated water approximately 18″ around floor drain and slowly increasing. Employees have walked through water and spread to kitchen area and cook line.”

“Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shrimp stored over ready to eat vegetables in right cook line flip top. Sushi area - raw fish stored over ready to eat vegetables - left side low boy.”

“Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. 10 - 6 oz unopened packs of ROP salmon at cookline - 40-48F. Reviewed proper procedures.”

“Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. cook line - left flip top - raw beef (50-55F); calamari (55-59F); tofu (50-55F); cooked potatoes (53-55F); raw chicken (54-55F). Per operator items have been in unit over 4 hours. No items prepped or portioned today. Observed ice buildup on condensing coils. Operator immediately cooked chicken and beef.”

“Per operator, establishment does parasite destruction onsite. Freezing time/temperatures not recorded. No proof of parasite destruction for nonexempt fish available. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. Wahoo. Per operator, fish will be cooked prior to serving.”

“Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. 10 - 6 oz unopened packs of ROP salmon at cook line - 40-48F. Reviewed proper procedures.”

“Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. cook line - left flip top - raw beef (50-55F); calamari (55-59F); tofu (50-55F); cooked potatoes (53-55F); raw chicken (54-55F). Per operator items have been in unit over 4 hours. No items were prepped or portioned today. Observed ice buildup on condensing coils.”


About the Author

Jeff Weinsier joined Local 10 News in September 1994. He is currently an investigative reporter for Local 10. He is also responsible for the very popular Dirty Dining segments.

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