'Top Chef's' North Miami Beach restaurant ordered shut due to roach issue

About 40 live roaches found in kitchen of Bulldog Barbecue, according to report

Courtesy: Google Maps

NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Howie Kleinberg, best known for being a contestant on Bravo's "Top Chef Miami," had some big problems in his North Miami Beach restaurant last week.

State records show Klienberg's restaurant, Bulldog Barbecue, was ordered shut because of a roach issue.

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Kleinberg was formerly an executive chef at South Florida's Ivy restaurant and at the Food Gang.

He spoke to Local 10 News, saying Monday that the closure by inspectors was "the worst thing that has ever happened to me in my career."

 "I'm devastated," Kleinberg said. "We are tearing this place apart to make sure this doesn't happen again."

Tijuana Flat's in Pompano Beach, On The Border Mexican Gril & Cantina in Miami Lakes and Sarku Japan in Miami International Mall were also ordered shut.

Below is a list of places and some of their violations. All the places listed below were allowed to re-open following ordered clean up and re-inspections.

***Bulldog Barbecue

15400 Biscayne Blvd.

North Miami Beach

Ordered shut May 16

16 violations found

"Roach activity present as evidenced by approximately 40 live roaches found in the kitchen."

"Build-up of mold-like substance on nonfood-contact surface. Inside beer cooler."

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

"Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items."

***Tijuana Flats

431 S. Federal Highway

Pompano Beach

Ordered shut May 17

12 violations found

Inspection based on complaint

"Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items."

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

"Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Approximately 7 live roaches on wall behind small reach in cooler next to hand wash sink at cook line. 2 live roaches dropped out of back of small reach in same area."

"Dead roaches on premises. Approximately 5 dead roaches under small reach in cooler next to hand wash sink next to cook line. Manager cleaned up and disposed of."

***On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina

15301 NW 67th Ave.

Miami Lakes

Ordered shut May 18

14 violations found

Inspection based on complaint

"Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 2 live roaches crawling on break table. Observed 4 live roaches on wall to left of "chip monster" Observed 4 live roaches behind booth 11 and 13. Observed 2 live roaches by dishwasher behind bar. Observed 3 live roaches around beer pitcher cooler behind bar Observed 2 live roaches side of mug cooler in bar Approx. 17 live roaches total."

"Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, or food storage area. Over 10 small flies in storage/ liquor room. Small flies over 10 break room. Observed over 30 small flies flying around chip monster. Observed over 10 small flies around cooler for pitchers behind bar. Observed over 20 small flies dish machine area. Observed over 30 small flies in "to go" counter area Observed over 10 small flies near hand sink going out to dining room Observed over 10 small flies in hallway toward bathrooms Approx. 130 flies total."

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

***Winton Wings

1428 NE Fourth Ave.

Fort Lauderdale

Ordered shut May 18

27 violations found

Inspection based on complaint

"Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 3 live roaches behind curtain with shells in wait are, open to kitchen, no doors. 4 live roaches under flip top coolers at cook line. 7 live roaches on floor under three compartment sink and dish machine, open to kitchen, no doors, 1 live roach on wall behind dish machine. 1 live roach on ceiling in dish area."

"Objectionable odors in dish area."

"Wall soiled with accumulated black debris in dishwashing area."

"Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust at cook line."

"Dead roaches on premises. 2 dead roaches on floor at cook line. 2 dead roaches in a bin with water under three compartment sink."

"Observed: Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Key Lime Pie at front counter 50°F for less than 2 hours according to wait staff. Came out of the walk in cooler. Key lime Pie was brought back in walk in cooler."

***Sarku Japan

Miami International Mall

1455 NW 107th Ave.

Ordered shut May 20

9 violations found

"Sewage/wastewater backing up through floor drains. Floor drains located in the middle of the kitchen, by hand sink, and front line backing up throughout kitchen, no way to circumvent, location is open to the public."

***Juicy Gyro

6944 Collins Ave.

Miami Beach

Ordered shut May 18

8 violations found

Inspection based on complaint

"Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. At time of inspection, found approximately 10 dry rodent droppings in dry storage area, as well as 2 moist rodent droppings in the dry storage area, on top of a bucket containing sugar."

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

***Mr. Chef

18800 NE 29th Ave.

Aventura

Ordered shut May 17

21 violations found

"Roach activity present as evidenced by approximately 12 live roaches found in the kitchen."

"Roach excrement and/or droppings present. Inside corner of a reach in cooler."

"Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance inside the ice bin."

"Dead roaches on premises. Approximately 15 in the kitchen."

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