Roaches, rodent issues and food safety violations force shutdown of 4 South Florida restaurants

Pita Pockets in Hollywood. (WPLG)

Below is a list of places that were ordered to shut by inspectors from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

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Notably, not a single eating establishment in Miami-Dade County has been ordered to shut down in the past month. Considering Miami-Dade is home to hundreds of restaurants, this is both surprising and raises questions. Is this a reflection of stellar compliance with health regulations, or could there be other factors at play? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

All the establishments mentioned were allowed to re-open after completing the required cleanup and passing a follow-up inspection.

**BBQ TONIGHT

1386 SOUTH FEDERAL HIGHWAY

POMPANO BEACH

ORDERED SHUT 1/24

9 VIOLATIONS FOUND

BBQ Toni8ht in Pompano Beach. (WPLG)

“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. In kitchen by handwashing sink, approximately 10 live roaches on wall and ceiling. In kitchen, on cook line and flip top cooler approximately 10 live roaches on wall and ceiling. In dining room, approximately 5 live roaches on floor and walls.”

“Roach excrement and/or droppings present. In kitchen by flip top cooler, evidence of roach excrement found by outlet on wall.”

“Food stored on floor. In kitchen, raw chicken stored on floor by three compartment sink.”

“Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. In kitchen, floors soiled with food debris and grease.”

“Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. In kitchen, flip top cooler doors and handles soiled with food debris and grease.”

“Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. In kitchen, vents and ceiling soiled with dust and food debris.”

“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Reach in cooler in kitchen soiled with food debris.”

**PITA POCKETS

2727 HOLLYWOOD BLVD.

HOLLYWOOD

ORDERED SHUT 1/22

7 VIOLATIONS FOUND

Rear of Pita Pockets in Hollywood on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (WPLG)

“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed approximately 3 live roaches inside of gaps in wood door frame at kitchen entrance in kitchen Observed 2 live roaches on ground under front line flip top cooler. Observed 1 live roach under hand wash sink at front line.”

“Dead roaches on premises. Observed approximately 7 dead roaches inside of not in use 3 door reach in cooler in prep area in kitchen. Observed approximately 4 dead roaches on ground under front line flip top cooler.”

“Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed under cook line equipment.”

“No soap provided at hand wash sink. Observed at front counter, prep area hand wash sinks.”

**THAT’S A WRAP SANDWICH SHOP

110 TOWER

110 SE 6TH STREET

FORT LAUDERDALE

INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT

ORDERED SHUT 1/22

5 VIOLATIONS FOUND

“Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. -Approximately 9 rodent droppings on floor in lobby behind drink station counter, operator removed cleaned and sanitized area during inspection.”

“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. -Approximately 2 live roaches on floor under hot holding unit in kitchen.”

“Dead roaches on premises. -Approximately 6 dead roaches on floor under hot holding unit in kitchen. 2 dead roaches on floor under 2 door reach in cooler in kitchen.”

“Accumulation of dead or trapped birds, insects, rodents, or other pests, in control devices. -Approximately 2 dead roaches in sticky trap under front counter.”

**LA ESTANCIA HALLANDALE BEACH

801 N. FEDERAL HIGHWAY

HALLANDALE BEACH

ORDERED SHUT 1/21

11 VIOLATIONS FOUND

“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 1) 1 live roach on top of bread crumbs bag stored on rack in kitchen. 2) 1 live roach front of mop sink next to water heater in dishwashing area. 3) 1 live roach in storage cabinet at entrance of kitchen. 4) 1 live roach in container of individual mayonnaise packets at coffee station. Repeat Violation.”

“Dead roaches on premises. 1) 1 dead roach in employee handwashing sink in kitchen. 2) 2 dead roaches under handwashing sink front counter. 3) 2 dead roaches under bench in dining room. Repeat Violation.”

“Interior of microwave has accumulation of grease and food debris.”

“Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Cook line flip top- Cooked Rice (50F - Cooling) Per cook food item in unit overnight. Item not prepared or portioned today. Observed water condensation on lid. Repeat Violation.”

“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. Cook line flip top- Cooked Rice (50F - Cooling) Per cook food item in unit overnight. Item not prepared or portioned today. Observed water condensation on lid.”


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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