Rodent droppings atop ice machines, floors covered with ‘slime-like substance': 2 South Florida restaurants shut
Two Palm Beach County restaurants temporarily shut by the state last week had one common issue: rodent droppings on top of their ice machines. Other violations included flies buzzing around a dish-washing area, a lack of hand washing, and floors covered with a 'slime-like substance.'
Meanwhile, in Broward County, no restaurants were forced to close because of emergency orders.
The South Florida Sun Sentinel typically highlights restaurant inspections conducted by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation in Broward and Palm Beach counties. We cull through inspections that happen weekly and spotlight places ordered shut for 'high-priority violations,' such as improper food temperatures or dead cockroaches.
Live roaches in donut prep area, 'dead roaches in spider webs' in kitchen: 2 South Florida restaurants shut
Any restaurant that fails a state inspection must stay closed until it passes a follow-up. If you spot a possible violation and wish to file a complaint, contact Florida DBPR. (But please don't contact us: The Sun Sentinel doesn't inspect restaurants.)
AJ's American Grill 6316 Lantana Road, Lake Worth
Ordered shut: May 28
Why: 20 violations (10 high-priority), including:
About four rodent droppings in kitchen 'on top of ice machine' and 'under sink in dish-washing area.'
About 10 live flies in kitchen 'in dish-washing area landing on trash can, walls and shelves used to store clean and sanitized dishes' and 'in dry storage area landing on sealed boxes.'
'Server wiped mouth with hand and, without washing hands, server handled tin foil lid to cover to-go container of cooked lobster.'
'Employee handled visibly soiled sanitizer cloth to wipe down table and, without washing hands, employee handled clean and sanitized dishes.'
'Employee entered kitchen through back door and, without washing hands, employee began to handle containers of food at cook line.'
Time/temperature issues involved mozzarella, Swiss, cheddar and American cheeses, cooked pasta and rice, Philly steak meat, raw steak, cooked chicken, cooked peppers, cooked mashed potatoes and french onion soup.
Floors under dish-washing areas covered with a 'slime-like substance.'
Status: Reopened May 29 after a follow-up inspection found no violations.
CocoCabana Bar & Grill 2944 S. Jog Road, Greenacres
Ordered shut: May 27
Why: Six violations (three high-priority), including:
About 17 rodent droppings in kitchen 'under canned goods storage shelves' and on top of and under ice machine, as well as at the bar 'on drip mat with clean and sanitized mini buckets used to serve iced beers' and 'under soda dispenser gun station.'
Rodent rub marks in 'kitchen hole in the wall next to ice machine and canned goods storage rack.'
'Raw pork stored directly above open bucket of plantains' in reach-in cooler.
Time/temperature issue involved 'large bin of white rice' in reach-in cooler.
Status: Reopened May 28 after a follow-up visit found no violations.
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