Florida restaurant closures made headlines this week as state inspectors ordered three South Florida establishments to shut down following serious health violations. Based on public records from the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR), Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza in Coral Gables, Pikliz Resto and Bar in Fort Lauderdale, and Arties Sportsmen Lounge in Hollywood were all temporarily closed after failing inspections that cited flies, roaches, mold, and sanitation issues. For a comprehensive overview, see the full list of Florida restaurant closures and violations for October 2024.
Florida Restaurant Closures: This Week’s Shutdowns in South Florida
Restaurant inspection failures in Florida continue to draw public attention, especially when popular or high-traffic locations are affected. The latest DBPR data reveals a concerning pattern of pest activity and sanitation lapses, leading to immediate closures and required corrective actions. Recent shutdowns in Sunrise, Doral, and Westchester highlight the widespread nature of these issues across South Florida.
Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, Coral Gables: 28 Violations, Flies on Food
Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza at 2626 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables was ordered closed on May 7, 2025, after inspectors documented 28 violations. The most severe findings included more than 30 live flies landing directly on food preparation surfaces and ingredients. According to official Florida inspection data pulled from DBPR, flies were observed on a slicer used for eggplant and on pizza dough at a back kitchen table.
- 10+ live flies on a slicer used for prepping eggplant
- 20+ live flies on preparation tables and pizza dough
- Pasta and chicken wings held at 66°F, above safe temperature limits
- Objectionable odors reported at the pizza station
- Mold-like buildup on equipment and soiled food-contact surfaces (repeat violation)
- Accumulated debris on ware washing and dish machines
- Grease, food debris, and dust on walls, ceilings, and vents
- Floors not cleaned when food exposed
- Improper employee hygiene (no hair restraints)
CleanTable assigned a D grade to Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza based on the frequency and severity of these high-priority violations. The app shows a history of repeat issues with soiled food-contact surfaces. A stop sale was issued for temperature-abused foods, and the restaurant was required to complete a full cleanup and pass re-inspection before reopening.
Pikliz Resto and Bar, Fort Lauderdale: Roach Activity, Pesticide Misuse
Pikliz Resto and Bar at 8267 Sunset Strip, Fort Lauderdale was shut down on May 5, 2025, after a complaint-based inspection uncovered 12 violations. Inspectors found both live and dead roaches on the premises, including at the front counter and under the triple sink. Additionally, household pesticide cans were stored near food preparation areas, raising further concerns about food safety protocols. For more details on recent inspections and the extensive list of Florida restaurants cited for roaches, birds, and over 40 violations in May 2025, check the latest CleanTable report.
- Live roaches crawling on and around the front counter and kitchen
- Dead roaches at the front counter and under the triple sink
- Household pesticide spray cans (not approved for food service) stored near the triple sink
- Improper food dispensing (bowl without handle used in rice container)
- Lack of food manager certification for the person in charge
CleanTable assigned a C grade to Pikliz Resto and Bar, reflecting the high-priority pest violations and documentation gaps identified in the inspection. The restaurant was allowed to reopen after completing corrective actions and passing a follow-up inspection.
Arties Sportsmen Lounge, Hollywood: Multiple Roach Violations and Sanitation Issues
Arties Sportsmen Lounge at 2218 N. Federal Highway, Hollywood was also closed on May 5, 2025, following a complaint-driven inspection. Inspectors documented eight violations, including extensive live and dead roach activity in both the kitchen and bar areas. Roaches were found in water inlets, drip pans, and under coolers.
- 5 live roaches inside water inlets on top of the water heater
- 5 live roaches in the drip pan on the kitchen floor
- 6 live roaches on the ground in the bar area
- 7 live roaches under a glass slider reach-in cooler
- 5 dead roaches in the bar area, 3 dead in kitchen storage
- Grease and food debris on hood filters
- No proof of required employee training
- No soap at the hand wash sink
CleanTable assigned a D grade to Arties Sportsmen Lounge, citing the pattern of pest activity and sanitation lapses. The establishment was cleared to reopen after meeting state requirements and passing a re-inspection.
Inspection Process and Restaurant Reopenings
All three restaurants were permitted to reopen after addressing the violations and passing follow-up inspections by DBPR. CleanTable users can review simplified summaries and full official reports for each location within the app, based on the latest public inspection data. For those interested in reviewing Florida restaurant inspection reports, the official state portal provides comprehensive access to inspection outcomes and details.
Frequently Asked Questions: Florida Restaurant Closures This Week
- Why was Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza in Coral Gables shut down?
Inspectors found over 30 live flies landing on food and preparation surfaces, improper food temperatures (pasta and chicken wings at 66°F), objectionable odors, and mold-like buildup on kitchen equipment. A total of 28 violations were cited. - What pest violations led to the closure of Pikliz Resto and Bar in Fort Lauderdale?
Live and dead roaches were observed at the front counter and kitchen. Household pesticide cans were also found stored near food prep areas, which is not allowed in food service establishments. - How many roaches were found during the inspection at Arties Sportsmen Lounge?
Inspectors documented at least 23 live and dead roaches in various locations, including water inlets, drip pans, the bar area, and under coolers. - Were any of the restaurants repeat offenders for similar violations?
Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza received repeat violations for soiled food-contact surfaces, indicating ongoing issues with cleaning and sanitation protocols. - How quickly did the closed restaurants reopen?
All three establishments were allowed to reopen after completing required cleanup and passing a follow-up inspection by the DBPR. - What other notable violations were cited during these inspections?
Additional issues included objectionable odors, lack of employee hygiene (no hair restraints), use of unapproved pesticide products, and missing proof of required food manager certification or employee training. For a full understanding of the rules, see the Florida state food safety regulations and learn more about Florida public health inspections.
Want to know what’s happening behind the kitchen door? Search any Florida restaurant and see the latest hygiene scores before you dine. Download CleanTable .
