‘Consumer complaints’ lead to discovery of flying insect, roach issues in several South Florida restaurants

Pollo Tropical in Miami Gardens. (Google Maps)

Below is a list of places that were inspected last week by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Despite the fact that none of the places below were ordered shut, there were flying insect and roach issues in some of the places listed.

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Several of the inspections below were based on consumer complaints.

**POLLO TROPICAL

19700 NW 27TH AVE.

MIAMI GARDENS

INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT

INSPECTION DATE 6/10

7 VIOLATIONS FOUND

FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION REQUIRED

“Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 2 live flying insects in the drive through window. Observed 3 live flying insects by the windows in the lobby.”

“Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. Observed approximately 100+ dead flying insects throughout the windows in the lobby. Observed 1 dead flying insect by the drive thru window. Observed approximately 15+ dead flying insects next to the trash can in the lobby.”

**PAPA JOHN’S

19343 SOUTH DIXIE HIGHWAY

NARANJA

INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT

INSPECTION DATE 6/10

9 VIOLATIONS FOUND

FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION REQUIRED

“Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed Approximately 5 live flying insects flying in the air near floor at ware washing area.”

“Dead crawling insect on premises. Observed one dead crawling insect on preparation table near dough spinner. Employee discarded dead insect and sanitized surface.”

“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed food storage container soiled with food debris on shelf above 3 compartment sink. GM took item to wash, rinse and sanitize.. Observed blade of can opener soiled with old food debris.”

“Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking. Observed mozzarella sticks missing time marking.”

“Person in charge unable to answer basic Food Code questions pertaining to safe operation of establishment.”

**ZONA FRESCA

1095 SOUTH UNIVERSITY DR.

PLANTATION

INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT

INSPECTION DATE 6/14

6 VIOLATIONS FOUND

FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION REQUIRED

“Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. At produce storage shelf approximately 6 small flying insect coming from large bag of onions and landing on wall, at soda storage station outside the office area approximately three small flying insects landing on wall.”

“Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee working at cash register handling cash and customer credit cards proceeded to package chips with no hand washing and only one gloved hand, made operator aware who than made employee wash hands before completing task.”

“Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual ware washing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. At 3 compartment sink 0ppm chlorine, operator corrected to 100ppm chlorine.”

**SEASONS 52

GALLERIA

2428 EAST SUNRISE BLVD.

FORT LAUDERDALE

INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT

INSPECTION DATE 6/13

2 VIOLATIONS FOUND

FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION REQUIRED

“Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. Approximately 100+ dead termites in dining room along window sill/tables/booths/floor under tables. Operator removed dead termites.”

“Clean equipment/dishware/utensils stored below soap or paper towel dispenser exposing the items to drips from people’s hands. At wait station next to bar; clean plates stored upright directly underneath paper towel dispenser for hand washing sink.”

**BRONX BAGEL & DELI

230 SOUTH POWERLINE ROAD

DEERFIELD BEACH

INSPECTION DATE 6/13

17 VIOLATIONS FOUND

FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION REQUIRED

“Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed at back prepping area 5 smalls flying insects additionally 1 small flying insect near display case.”

“Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. observed at walk in cooler bucket of chicken soup (45F - Cooling) @11am since 6/12. At current rate of cooling product did not reach 41F within 6 hours.”

“Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired since 12/1/23.”

**NAKED FARMER

13945 WEST SUNRISE BLVD.

SUNRISE

INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT

INSPECTION DATE 6/12

19 VIOLATIONS FOUND

FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION REQUIRED

“Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed at prepping area one small flying insect land on kitchen table inside kitchen. Additionally, observed one small flying insect landing on table at dining area.”

“Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. Observed 10 dead small flying insects near back door in dining room and 13 dead small flying insects by front entrance in dining room.”

“Hand wash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed at front counter. Both hand washing stations blocked off by trash bins.”

“Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee moving trash bin. Changed gloves without washing hands.”

“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. Observed at walk in cooler - Mac and cheese (47F - Cold Holding for more than 24 hours) as per operator food not prepared or portioned today. Repeat Violation.”

**MCDONALD’S

12480 PINES BLVD.

PEMBROKE PINES

INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT

INSPECTION DATE 6/10

5 VIOLATIONS FOUND

FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION REQUIRED

“Dead roaches on premises. 2 dead roaches between wiping clothes washer machine and water heater tank, next to soda grips - near back entrance door.”

“Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. -1 flying insects flying around around cook line. Storage area, rear kitchen: -Approximately 10 flying insects sitting on empty bread racks. -Approximately 8 flying insects landing on wall behind 2 full bread racks. -Approximately 3 flying insects landing on single service to go container shelf- above bread racks. -approximately 2 flying insects on wall at employees break room.”

“Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee at take out station remove trash bin then came back to her duties without hand wash. Advised manager to educate employee. Employee washed hands.”

**CASA SENSI

1200 EAST LAS OLAS BLVD.

FORT LAUDERDALE

INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT

INSPECTION DATE 6/10

9 VIOLATIONS FOUND

FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION REQUIRED

“Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area...5 small flying insects landing in empty ice bin at bar.”

“Food contaminated by unsanitized equipment or utensil. See stop sale.... Stored drink ice in ice bin which is contaminated by small flying insects landing in this bin at bar . Employee burned ice , cleaned and sanitized bin at time of inspection.”

“Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food...raw beef, raw chicken above dressing, sauce at walk in cooler.”

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

“Hand wash sink used for purposes other than hand washing...stored tong , some food evidence in hand washing sink at kitchen , stored ice scoop in hand washing sink at bar.”

**ANTOJITOS MEXICANOS 3

2491 NORTH DIXIE HIGHWAY

POMPANO BEACH

INSPECTION DATE 6/10

8 VIOLATIONS FOUND

FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION REQUIRED

ORDERED SHUT 4/8/24 (ROACH ISSUE)

“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed two live roaches crawling on hand sink, next to triple sink in prep area.”

“Plumbing system in disrepair. Ice machine leaking into attached plastic bag and bucket on the floor.”

“Hand wash sink used for purposes other than hand washing. Observed empty pan and bucket in Hand wash sink in the prep area.”

“Ceiling tiles and vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance throughout kitchen and prep area. Repeat Violation.”

**COSTERA SUNSET BAR & GRILL

4010 SOUTH OCEAN DR.

HOLLYWOOD

INSPECTION DATE 6/10

6 VIOLATIONS FOUND

FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION REQUIRED

“Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed: -approximately 6 flying insects flying around and landing on shelves in kitchen area. - approximately 8 flying insects flying from box containing single use cups. - approximately 2 flying insects landing on wall next to door leading to passage way in kitchen. - 2 landing on wall next to reach in cooler - approximately 2 land in ceiling in kitchen.”

“Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. - Observed pina colada mix stored in container with an accumulation of mold in handle. See stop sale. Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. - Observed half and half in low bow cooler at bar opened more than 24 hours not date marked. PIC was not sure when item was opened.”

“No soap provided at hand wash sink.”

**PURA VIDA

3818 NE 1ST AVE.

MIAMI

INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT

INSPECTION DATE 6/12

11 VIOLATIONS FOUND

FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION REQUIRED

“Wild birds or squirrels present on ground/table/chairs/railings in outside dining room/bar. Observe Food Establishment front door opened at time of Inspection. Also, Observed some sparrows going in and out Food Establishment. Observed a sparrow inside kitchen and more than 3 flying over dining room area.”

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


About the Author
Jeff Weinsier headshot

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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