Rodents caught eating potatoes, roaches found in cashews at 2 South Florida restaurants

Restaurants ordered shut pending clean-up, re-inspections

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – Rodents were caught eating the potatoes at one South Florida restaurant and roaches were spotted in the cashews at another establishment.

State records show six restaurants were ordered shut last week by state inspectors with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Records show 45 violations were discovered at the Country Club of Coral Gables.

Below is list of places and some of their violations.

All the places listed were allowed to re-open following ordered clean-ups and re-inspections.

***Mr. Taco Mexican Restaurant

6974 Collins Ave.

Miami Beach

Ordered shut Sept. 14

12 violations found

Also ordered shut March 14

"Roach activity present as evidenced by approximately 5 live roaches found in the kitchen area. 1 on a stored plate , 3 next to single use items and 1 on the kitchen back wall. 7 dead throughout the kitchen area."

"Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance on/around soda dispensing nozzles."

***The Country Club of Coral Gables

997 N. Greenway Drive

Coral Gables

Ordered shut Sept. 12

45 violations found

"Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed two live roaches by hand wash sink station in breakfast cafe kitchen section. Observed two dead roaches inside reach in cooler. Directly on top of food container with cheese on top of salmon food container. Observed approximately five live roaches underneath reach in cooler inside kitchen. Observed two live roaches behind large oven by side kitchen. Observed one live roach on main kitchen floor. Observed two live roaches inside water heater room."

"Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed two dead roaches inside reach in cooler. Directly on top of food container with cheese on top of salmon food container."

"Dead roaches on premises. Observed two dead roaches in floor next to hand wash sink station inside cafe kitchen area. Observed approximately twelve dead roaches all around kitchen floor. Observed three dead roaches on top of preparation table by fryer station. Operator cleaned floor and underneath shelving."

"Accumulation of food debris/grease on food-contact surface. Observed preparation table with three dead roaches by fryer station."

"Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, or food storage area. B Dish Machine station."

"Employee failed to wash hands before changing gloves and/or putting on gloves to work with food."

"Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked potatoes; (51°F - Hot Holding) by cafe station. shredded cheese (51°F - Cold Holding); smoke salmon (51°F - Cold Holding); (51°F) inside reach in cooler. Observed cooked shredded chicken (45°F - Cold Holding); tuna salad (45°F - Cold Holding); turkey sandwiches (45°F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (45°F - Cold Holding); sliced ham (45°F - Cold Holding) inside walk in cooler."

***Wong's

12420 Biscayne Blvd.

North Miami

Ordered shut Sept. 12

18 violations found

Also ordered shut Feb. 8

Also ordered shut Feb. 10

Also ordered shut Feb. 11

Also ordered shut Feb. 15

"Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed approximately 9 live roaches around ware washing area. Observed approximately 8 roaches in reach in cooler area near entrance door. Observed approximately 3 live roaches near bathroom area."

"Food being prepared in a room that has screening in place of all or part of a wall. **Repeat Violation**"

"Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. rice (80°F - Cold Holding); ribs (57°F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (56°F - Cold Holding)."

"Stop Sale issued on potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food due to temperature abuse. rice (80°F - Cold Holding); ribs (57°F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (56°F - Cold Holding)."

"Food manager certification expired."

***Cafe 800

800 Fairway Drive

Deerfield Beach

Ordered shut Sept. 15

6 violations found

"Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Approximately 50 live roaches under counter next to prep cooler in front counter area, 6 live roaches under 3 compartment sink in front counter area, 12 live roaches under counter by water heater in front counter area, 5 live roaches inside cabinet above water heater in front counter area, 1 live roach in gaskets at prep cooler in front counter area, 3 live roaches by display case in front counter area, 5 live roaches on racks under register, 2 live roaches on cabinet above handwash sink in front counter area, 4 live roaches under counter by hand wash sink in front counter area, 1 live roach inside cooler next to slicer in rear prep area, 3 live roaches inside ice machine in rear prep area, 9 live roaches and 9 roach casings behind double door cooler in rear prep area, 40 live roaches behind and on prep table shelf in rear prep area, 6 live roaches by chest freezer in rear prep area and 2 live roaches in dry storage room."

"Dead roaches on premises. Approximately 15 dead roaches in front counter area, 1 dead roach on make table at prep cooler in front counter area and 13 dead roaches in rear prep area."

"Insecticide/rodenticide use not in compliance with regulations. Use of household use only insecticide."

"Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Prep tables , coolers , ice machine , food storage shelving and counters contaminated by dead and live roaches."

***Priya's Roti Shop

8007 W. Sample Road

Coral Springs

Ordered shut Sept. 14

35 violations found

"Dead rodent present. Observed a dead rat or mouse under a prep table in the rear of the kitchen."

"Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed moist and dry rodent droppings in 20 cardboard bottle trays on shelving in there rear of the restaurant. Observed too many to count. Also observed approximately 75-100 moist and dry rodent droppings on the floor under shelving and a prep table in the rear of the kitchen. Observed approximately 20 rodent dropping in a container with a little raw rice on a prep table . Observed moist 5 moist rodent droppings on a prep table in the rear of the kitchen. Observed moist and dry droppings on all shelving throughout the kitchen. There are too many to count. Observed moist and dry rodent dropping in multiple containers used for storing small wares throughout the kitchen. Observed moist and dry rodent droppings, too numerous to count, on the floor throughout the kitchen."

"Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed rodent gnaw marks on potatoes in a storage bin."

"Observed Rodent gnaw marks on potatoes in a bin under a prep table. Also observed approximately 50 moist and dry rodent droppings in this bin."

"Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, or food storage area."

"No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees."

"Interior of both microwave ovens are soiled with encrusted food debris."

"Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed a employee clean a food container with soap and water and not use any sanitizer."

***Taste Buds of India

7881 W. Sample Road

Coral Springs

Ordered shut Sept. 16

27 violations found

"Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed roaches running around on packages of food in a turned off walk-in cooler used for dry food storage. There are too many too count . Observed 2 small live roaches in a turned off ice machine bin. Observed approximately 10 roaches an open box of roasted cashews. Stop sale issued on the cashews."

"Roach excrement and/or droppings present. Observed roach excrement on all the shelving used for dry food storage in the turned off walk-in cooler."

"Dead roaches on premises. Observed approximately 15 dead roaches on the floor on the cook's line by the floor mixer."

"Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed an employee cutting onions bare handed."

A sign posted on the door of Taste Buds of India claims that the restaurant has been "closed due to renovation purposes."

It states that the restaurant will be back open on Tuesday.

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation posted its own sign a few feet away on a window of the restaurant, stating the establishment has been "closed to protect public health and safety."

"This establishment must be inspected and approved by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants in order to operate as a public lodging or food service establishment," the notice reads.