Florida restaurant closures surged last week as health inspectors documented widespread roach activity and other violations across South Florida. According to official Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) inspection data, four kitchens in Broward and Miami-Dade counties were ordered shut, with one location found harboring more than 90 live and dead roaches throughout its premises. For a comprehensive breakdown of all recent Florida restaurant closures and detailed violation lists, see the latest CleanTable investigation.
Florida Restaurant Closures: Full List of Shutdowns and Violations
Health inspectors from the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) conducted routine and complaint-based visits at several South Florida restaurants between May 14 and May 22, 2025. CleanTable, an independent app that simplifies public inspection data, assigned low grades to the affected establishments based on the severity and frequency of violations recorded in official reports.
Tehillah Garden Restaurant, Pembroke Pines: Over 90 Roaches Found
Tehillah Garden Restaurant at 6994 Pembroke Road in City of Pembroke Pines was ordered shut on May 21 after inspectors found extensive roach activity and temperature control issues. The inspection revealed:
- 10+ live roaches inside a wall-mounted soap dispenser above a mop sink
- 15 live roaches between the wall and a three-compartment sink
- 20 dead roaches inside the same soap dispenser
- Dead roaches in spider webs, under storage shelves, and inside the oven’s gas system access door
Inspectors also issued a stop sale on multiple cooked meats due to improper temperature control, with items such as beef, goat, turkey, and griot found above safe holding temperatures. Additionally, rice and beans were not cooled within the required timeframe. Upon re-inspection on May 22, live and dead roaches were still present, though in reduced numbers.
The Hollywood Donut Factory, Hollywood: Roach Activity in Prep and Storage Areas
The Hollywood Donut Factory at 102 N 28th Ave. in City of Hollywood was closed on May 20 following a complaint-based inspection. Key findings included:
- 6 live roaches near a bakery table in the donut prep area
- 9 live roaches on and in gaps of wood shelving along the back wall
- 6 dead roaches on a shelf next to the drink station
- Accumulation of dead insects in control devices and soiled nonfood-contact surfaces
Inspectors also noted soiled fryers and reach-in cooler shelves, highlighting sanitation concerns in food preparation and storage zones. For more on how flies, roaches, and mold have triggered shutdowns in Hollywood and nearby cities, review the full list of recent closures.
Sunshine Bistros, Lauderhill: Roaches and Cooling Violations
Sunshine Bistros at 1619 N. State Road 7 in City of Lauderhill was ordered closed on May 14 after inspectors observed both live and dead roaches in the kitchen area. The report detailed:
- 3 live roaches underneath a prep table and by a mop sink
- 4 dead roaches under the prep table and around the mop sink
- 1 dead roach in the hallway leading to the kitchen
Additional violations included a soiled microwave and improper cooling of pickles and chicken sauce, with inspectors noting that the cooling process would not reach safe temperatures within the required four-hour window.
Tu Cocinita Catering, Hialeah: Roaches in Institutional Food Prep
Tu Cocinita Catering at 2430 West 8th Ave. in City of Hialeah was shut down on May 16 after two live roaches were found beneath a hand sink in the prep area. Inspectors noted that the establishment was actively preparing food for health-supportive program (HSP) accounts, such as hospitals or senior services, at the time of inspection. Food storage violations were also cited, including gallons of milk stored on the walk-in cooler floor, a repeat issue from previous visits. For an in-depth look at persistent violations, see how ongoing roach issues have kept some South Florida restaurants closed even after re-inspections.
Inspection Details: Additional Restaurants and Follow-Ups
Un Attimo Specialty Coffee, Fort Lauderdale: Flying Insects Prompt Stop Sale
While not ordered closed, Un Attimo Specialty Coffee at 3233 N. Ocean Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale required a follow-up inspection after at least three small flying insects were found. One insect landed on pastries inside a display case, leading to a stop sale on affected items. The operator exterminated the insects during the inspection.
Reopenings After Cleanup and Re-Inspection
All restaurants ordered shut during this inspection cycle were allowed to reopen after completing mandated cleaning and passing a follow-up inspection. CleanTable’s review of public records shows that, while some locations still had minor pest activity on re-inspection, they met the requirements to resume operations.
Florida Restaurant Closures: Key Violations Cited
Across the four shutdowns, inspectors cited a range of high-priority and basic violations, including:
- Live and dead roaches in food prep areas, storage, and equipment
- Improper temperature control of perishable foods
- Accumulated debris and soiled surfaces on kitchen equipment
- Food stored directly on the floor
- Inadequate cooling methods for prepared foods
- Presence of flying insects near ready-to-eat foods
CleanTable grades reflect these findings, with D grades assigned to locations with repeated or severe violations. Users can view simplified violation summaries and full original inspection reports through the app for greater transparency.
Frequently Asked Questions: May 2025 South Florida Restaurant Shutdowns
- Why was Tehillah Garden Restaurant in Pembroke Pines shut down?
Inspectors found more than 90 live and dead roaches throughout the kitchen, including inside a wall-mounted soap dispenser, under shelves, and in the oven’s gas system access. Multiple temperature control violations were also cited, leading to a stop sale on several cooked meats. - What violations led to the closure of The Hollywood Donut Factory?
The Hollywood Donut Factory was ordered shut after inspectors observed at least 22 roaches, both live and dead, in prep and storage areas. Additional concerns included soiled kitchen equipment and accumulation of dead insects in control devices. - What made the Tu Cocinita Catering inspection especially significant?
Tu Cocinita Catering was actively preparing food for health-supportive program (HSP) accounts, such as hospitals or senior care, at the time of inspection. Two live roaches were found beneath a hand sink, and food storage violations were documented. - Did any restaurants have to remain closed after re-inspection?
All restaurants ordered shut were allowed to reopen after passing a follow-up inspection, though some still had minor pest activity noted in the official reports. - What unusual violations were found during these inspections?
Inspectors found over 10 live roaches and 20 dead roaches inside a wall-mounted soap dispenser at Tehillah Garden Restaurant, and flying insects landing on pastries at Un Attimo Specialty Coffee, prompting a stop sale. - How quickly did restaurants reopen after being closed?
According to public DBPR records, all affected establishments were permitted to reopen after completing required cleaning and passing re-inspection, typically within one to two days of the initial closure.
Want to see restaurant hygiene scores before you dine out in South Florida? Check the latest inspection grades and violation summaries anytime. Download CleanTable .
