Things were anything but lovely at Lovely’s in the City!
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Several South Florida restaurants were ordered shut last week by state inspectors following a series of alarming health code violations ranging from roach and rodent infestations to issues with food safety and sanitation.
Among the most disturbing cases was Lovely’s in the City in Miami, where inspectors found multiple dead mice on glue traps and extensive rodent droppings throughout the kitchen and storage areas.
This marks the second time Lovely’s has been ordered shut for a rodent issue, the last being in May 2023.
Other closures included Antonio’s Pizza in Hollywood for live and dead roaches and food held at unsafe temperatures; Titie Restaurant and Lounge in Fort Lauderdale, where both roach and rodent activity were noted for the second time in recent months; and The Food Republic, El Ray de la Medialuna, and Sajna Indian Cuisine, all cited for insect activity, sanitation issues, and in some cases, repeat violations.
All the places mentioned were allowed to reopen following a mandated cleanup and re-inspection.
**LOVELY’S IN THE CITY
1622 NW 62ND AVE.
MIAMI
ORDERED SHUT 4/17
13 VIOLATIONS FOUND
ALSO ORDERED SHUT 5/1/23 (RODENT ISSUE)
“Accumulation of dead or trapped birds, insects, rodents, or other pests, in control devices. Observed 2 dead mice on a glue trap on the floor inside equipment storage room, 5 dead mice on a glue traps under two door reach in cooler.”
“Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed rodent droppings behind chest freezer, approximately 50 droppings, 6 rodent droppings on top of preparation table , approximately 30 droppings under shelves at storage area, approximately 25 rodent droppings under flat top grill at kitchen.”
“Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed white cutting board grooved. Operator discarded cutting board.”
“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can openers soiled with food debris. On top preparation table in preparation area. Repeat Violation.”
“Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed hole in the ceiling at bathroom. Repeat Violation.”
**ANTONIO’S PIZZA
4551 HOLLYWOOD BLVD.
HOLLYWOOD
ORDERED SHUT 4/15
9 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 1) 1 live roach on floor in dry storage area. 2) 2 live roaches on wall in dishwashing area. 3) 1 live roach on wall behind dishwashing machine in kitchen. 4) 1 live roach on floor next to White Single Door reach in freezer in kitchen. 5) 1 live roach on floor next to coffee station at entrance of kitchen. Manager removed during inspection.”
“Dead roaches on premises. 3 dead Roaches in dry storage area in kitchen.”
“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Pizza Station- ; Shredded Cheese (50F - Cold Holding); Marinara Sauce (48F - Cold Holding) Per Manager food items in unit less than 4 hours from walk in cooler. Items not prepared or portioned today.”
“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 went outside, returned to work area and started working with cooked ready to eat food and handled a clean plate without removing gloves or washing hands. Reviewed proper handwashing procedures.”
**TITIE RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE
300 WEST SUNRISE BLVD.
FORT LAUDERDALE
INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT
ORDERED SHUT 4/17
19 VIOLATIONS FOUND
ALSO ORDERED SHUT 9/15/23 (RODENT AND ROACH ISSUES)
“Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Approximately 25 dropping observed underneath two door stainless reach in cooler.”
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 1 live roach in water heater room on door panel. No door between water heater room and kitchen. 2 live in trap in water heater room. No door between water heater room and kitchen. 1 live roach on cook line next to stove and steam table. 6 live roaches behind white reach in freezer in prep area. 2 lives roaches on wall above grey reach in freezer.”
“Dead roaches on premises. 5 dead in trap in water heater room. No door between water heater room and kitchen. 2 dead roach behind fryer.”
“Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Excessive amounts of grease and food debris behind equipment on cook lime. Excessive amounts of trash and food debris behind reach in freezers.”
“Storage area not maintained clean and organized. Outside area where hose is located, evidence of grease and debris on fence.”
“Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken over ready to eat commercially processed vegetables in reach in freezer.”
**THE FOOD REPUBLIC
1910 EAST SUNRISE BLVD.
FORT LAUDERDALE
INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT
ORDERED SHUT 4/18
8 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Live, small flying insects found At cook line area- approximately 8 small flying insects landing on reach in cooler, cutting board and storage shelves above reach in cooler, At dry storage area near back door in kitchen - approximately 4 small flying insects - landing on dry storage shelves near containers of dry food. At bar area- approximately 10 small flying insects landing on wall and shelves with clean glasses.”
“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At reach in cooler nears cook line- shredded cheese 54F- cold holding , butter 54F- cold holding, sliced cheese 54F- cold holding- food double panned- food not prepared or portioned today- food out of temperature for 2 hours- operator placed food inside cooler to quick chill. Repeat Violation.”
**EL RAY DE LA MEDIALUNA
3253 HOLLYWOOD BLVD.
HOLLYWOOD
ORDERED SHUT 4/15
10 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed approximately 15 live roaches inside of soap dispenser above hand wash sink in prep area. Observed 2 live roaches inside of hand sanitizer dispenser above hand wash sink in prep area.”
“Live, small flying insects found. Observed approximately 50 live small flying insects landing on boxes and shelving above prep table. Observed approximately 20 live small flying insects landing on boxes in storage area across from triple sink. Observed approximately 5 live small flying insects hovering in mop sink area next to triple sink. Observed approximately 5 live small flying insects hovering at front counter area. Observed approximately 15 live small flying insects landing on shelving and boxes above prep tables across from walk in cooler. Observed approximately 10 live small insects landing on clean wares on shelves above triple sink.”
“Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed under equipment throughout establishment.”
“Hand wash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Front counter hand wash sink used for rinsing coffee wares.”
“No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling.”
**SAJNA INDIAN CUISINE
1933 HOLLYWOOD BLVD.
HOLLYWOOD
INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT
ORDERED SHUT 4/15
10 VIOLATIONS FOUND
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed approximately 5 live roaches under tape covering scorched electrical outlet behind prep table next to triple sink in kitchen area Observed 2 live roaches behind light on wall in ware washing area in kitchen. Observed approximately 15 live roaches under milk crate on cardboard lined shelf directly next to cook line flip top. Observed approximately 5 live roaches inside of control device located in back of cook line flip top Observed approximately 30 live roaches on top of dish machine under chemicals and wall behind dish machine in kitchen area Observed approximately 10 live roaches on side of dish machine. Observed 3 live roaches inside of middle hinge of chest freezer behind cook line flip top. Observed 2 live roaches inside of triple sink.”
“Dead roaches on premises. Observed approximately 15 dead roaches under tape covering scorched electrical outlet behind prep table next to triple sink in kitchen area. Observed approximately 10 roaches in control device located in back of cook line flip top. Observed 3 dead roaches on top of dish machine in kitchen.”
“Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Repeat Violation.”
“Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employee.”
“Required employee training expired for all employees.”