The state was forced to temporarily close four restaurants last week — three in Palm Beach County and one in Broward County — due to problems including 30 live flies buzzing around a bagel shop, dust buildup on kitchen ceiling tiles and multiple cases of employees using cellphones and then handle food without washing hands.
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’re clearing out weekly inspections and highlighting places closed due to “high priority violations” like improper food temperatures or dead cockroaches.
Any restaurant that fails the state inspection must remain closed until it passes a follow-up inspection. If you notice a possible violation and would like to file a complaint, please contact Florida DBPR. (But please don’t contact us: The Sun Sentinel does not inspect restaurants.)
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Brooklyn Water Bagel
22191 Powerline Road, Boca Raton
Closely ordered: October 17
Why: Four violations (one high priority), including:
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About 30 live flies land on “shelves used to display raw bagels in the bagel kitchen at the front of the store,” “on the walls in the bagel kitchen,” “on the wall above the bagel baskets near the counter,” and “ on the wall above the prep table in the kitchen.”
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“There was an employee’s cell phone on the counter of the exhibition station in the kitchen.”
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“Very slowly draining water in the hand sink at the bagel station.”
Status: Reopened on October 18 after a follow-up inspection found no violations.
Hachi Asian cuisine and grill
809 Lake Ave., Lake Worth Beach
Closely ordered: October 15
Why: 10 violations (three high priority), including:
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Four live cockroaches “on the floor in the kitchen, [crawling] under the freezer near the dishwasher,” “on the oven door on the cooking line,” and “on the door frame in the kitchen next to the triple sink.”
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Five dead cockroaches “under the lid of the freezer at the sushi station,” “in the oven on the cook line,” “under the wok on the cook line,” and “on the floor near the woks.”
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“Raw salmon over a ready-made crab sushi station.”
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“Sushi chef [used] mobile phone with gloves and immediately started working with food. Gloves not changed in between.”
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Time/temperature issues involved shrimp tempura and sliced cream cheese.
Status: Reopened on October 16 after a follow-up visit found no violations.
Caribbean restaurant Le Bon Gout
1230 S. Dixie Highway, Lake Worth Beach
Closely ordered: October 15
Why: 16 violations (three high priority), including:
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Seven rodent droppings “on the floor under the microwave in a dry storage area.”
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“One dead cockroach on the shelf under the prep table.”
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“Colleague [used] cell phone and returned while processing food at the steam table without washing hands.
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Bucket of “plantains on the floor in the kitchen.”
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“Non-food grade containers used for food storage – direct contact with food. Store fish in freezer in dining room.”
Status: Reopened on October 16 after a follow-up inspection found no violations.
BROWARD COUNTY
La Fondita Mexicana & Taco Shop
6059 Johnson Street, Hollywood
Closely ordered: October 14
Why: 10 violations (two high priority), including:
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Two live cockroaches “on the back of the kitchen sink.”
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Two dead cockroaches “on the table behind the tortilla chip cupboard in the kitchen” and “on the floor at the end of the bar in the dining room.”
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“Bottles of germicidal cleaner and degreaser on the shelf, with wine bottles at the far end of the bar.”
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“A lot of dust has accumulated on the ceiling tiles in the kitchen in front of the cooking line.”
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“The floor in the kitchen has areas of standing water that have not dried properly after mopping.”
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“Food leftovers in the top of the microwave cabinet.”
Status: Reopened on October 15 after a second inspection found one fundamental violation.
