Seven South Florida Restaurants Shuttered for Health Code Violations Including Mold and Contamination

State health inspectors temporarily closed seven restaurants across South Florida this week following discoveries of significant sanitation and food safety violations. The establishments, located in North Miami Beach, Oakland Park, Sunrise, North Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and Cutler Bay, were permitted to reopen after completing mandated cleanups and passing follow-up inspections.

Andreas Cafeteria & Coffee Shop in North Miami Beach faced closure on July 13 after inspectors documented 11 violations, including more than 20 rodent droppings discovered on the floor behind a hand washing sink at the front counter and dead roaches found near bathroom entrances. Temperature control failures were also noted, with raw shell eggs stored at 52 degrees Fahrenheit in a walk-in cooler, and multiple employees found to have expired food handler certifications.

Quates Mexican Restaurant in Oakland Park was shut down on July 16 with 14 violations recorded, including extensive roach infestations with live insects discovered inside coolers, wall-mounted equipment, and control panels. A stop sale was issued for cooked pork showing visible mold-like growth, and multiple food items including cooked beef and raw chicken were found stored above safe holding temperatures. A follow-up inspection on July 17 still revealed approximately 9 live roaches and 5 dead roaches on the premises.

Asahi Restaurant in Sunrise was closed on July 15 following a complaint-based inspection that uncovered 20 violations. Inspectors observed four live flying insects landing on precooked chicken at the food preparation station and approximately 10 additional flying insects in the dishwashing area. Black mold-like substances were documented accumulating on kitchen walls, and employees were caught washing hands at a dishwashing machine sprayer instead of at approved hand washing sinks.

El Rancho Bakery and Restaurant in North Lauderdale received a closure order on July 15 for 19 violations. Live roaches were found in dry storage areas and behind freezers, and two buckets of black beans stored in a walk-in cooler were cooling at unsafe temperatures of 51 and 52 degrees Fahrenheit after being held overnight. An operator was observed beginning work without washing hands and donning gloves before handling food preparation.

Las Carnitas Latin Cuisine in Pompano Beach was ordered shut on July 17 with 12 violations documented. Approximately 30 dead roaches were observed on a glue board monitor beneath a microwave at the front counter, and roughly 20 live flying insects were found resting on walls near the dishwashing equipment. The interior of an ice machine showed visible accumulation of black and green mold-like substances.

Sweet Bubble in Cutler Bay faced closure on July 16 after inspectors identified 11 violations, most critically the absence of potable running water since the previous Sunday. The establishment had operated without water to its three-compartment sink used for sanitizing equipment and without hot or cold water at the employee hand washing sink. Live flies were observed flying around the booth and landing on clean equipment and sinks.