Florida restaurant closures due to rodent and roach violations have once again made headlines this September, as official Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) data shows multiple shutdowns across Broward and Miami-Dade counties. The latest inspection cycle reveals a pattern of pest activity, food safety issues, and repeat violations at several well-known establishments. For a deeper look at recent South Florida restaurant closures caused by rodent and fly violations, see our comprehensive inspection coverage.
Florida Restaurant Closures: Latest DBPR Inspection Results
According to public records from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), several restaurants were ordered shut last week following complaints and routine inspections. CleanTable, an independent app that simplifies these reports, highlights the most severe findings and grades each location based on violation history. Notably, recent hygiene scores for Florida sushi bars and burger chains have also resulted in multiple closures statewide.
Stoner’s Pizza Joint — Fort Lauderdale
Address: 1509 East Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
Stoner’s Pizza Joint was ordered shut on September 16, 2024, after inspectors documented 10 violations, including extensive rodent activity. This marks the third closure for this location in just over two years, with previous shutdowns on July 31, 2024 (rodent issues), and September 20, 2022 (roach and flying insect issues).
- Rodent droppings found in multiple areas: dry storage, dishwashing room, kitchen, and exterior storage.
- Gnaw marks and a hole in a bag of flour, triggering a stop sale due to food not being in wholesome condition.
- Objectionable odors reported in bathrooms and storage areas.
- No proof of required state-approved employee training.
Hoagie Hut Café — Northwest Miami-Dade
Address: 11011 NW 27th Avenue, Miami-Dade
Hoagie Hut Café was ordered shut on September 17, 2024, after inspectors found four violations, including rodent activity and repeat sanitation issues.
- Rodent droppings observed in the dry storage room and under a kitchen preparation table.
- Food-contact surfaces, including a can opener, soiled with food debris and mold-like substances (repeat violation).
- Interior of oven/microwave found with black substance, grease, and food debris (repeat violation).
La Gourmandize Restaurant — Miramar
Address: 7108 Pembroke Road, Miramar
La Gourmandize Restaurant was ordered shut on September 16, 2024, with 10 violations cited. This is the second closure for the restaurant in recent months, following a shutdown for roach and rodent issues on July 16, 2024.
- Live rodent found in a glue trap under a chest freezer.
- Rodent droppings discovered near the vegetable cooler.
- Exterior door with a gap at the threshold (repeat violation).
- Improper food storage: oils and rice stored on the floor (repeat violation).
- Stop sale issued for cooked chicken held at unsafe temperatures overnight.
- No soap provided at the hand wash sink in the kitchen.
Sbarro (Coral Square Mall) — Coral Springs
Address: 9411 West Atlantic Blvd., Coral Springs
Sbarro received eight violations during a September 20, 2024 inspection, requiring a follow-up. The restaurant had previously been ordered shut on July 15, 2024, for a roach issue.
- Live roach found under the kitchen trash can; dead roach in a mixing bowl.
- Multiple temperature control violations: cheese, pizza sauce, and ham found above 41°F, resulting in a stop sale for mozzarella cheese held over four hours above safe temperatures.
Fuddruckers — Pembroke Pines
Address: 14532 SW 5th Street, Pembroke Pines
Fuddruckers was inspected on September 19, 2024, after a complaint, and found with five violations. A follow-up inspection was required.
- Live flies observed in the kitchen, food prep, and customer self-service areas.
- Food debris and grease buildup in oven, microwave, and three-compartment sink.
- Soiled cooking and storage equipment overflowing with food debris.
El Camino Mexican Soul Food and Tequila Bar — Fort Lauderdale
Address: 817 East Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
El Camino was cited for 17 violations on September 19, 2024, following a complaint. A follow-up inspection was required.
- Wild bird present inside the restaurant by the wait station.
- Live flying insects found in prep area and above blenders (repeat violation).
- Food-contact surfaces, including knife racks and soda guns, visibly soiled.
- Floor debris in dry storage rooms.
- Raw animal food stored over ready-to-eat items in the walk-in cooler.
- Dish machine sanitizer not at proper strength; manual sanitization required.
- Hand wash sink removed from prep area; no soap provided at hand wash sink.
Taqueria El Paisa — Fort Lauderdale
Address: 2500 Davie Road, Fort Lauderdale
Taqueria El Paisa was inspected on September 18, 2024, with three violations found and a follow-up required.
- Approximately 40 live roaches discovered inside an unused lowboy cooler on the cook line.
Denny’s — Fort Lauderdale
Address: 3151 Powerline Road, Fort Lauderdale
Denny’s underwent a complaint-based inspection on September 17, 2024, with eight violations documented and a follow-up required.
- Multiple live flying insects observed in the kitchen and dining area (15 live insects near the service station).
- Rust and pitting inside the ice machine/bin.
- Cooking equipment soiled with grease, food debris, and dirt.
Inspection Trends: Rodents, Roaches, and Repeat Offenses
The main keyword, Florida restaurant closures, is reflected in the week’s inspection data, with rodents and roaches remaining the most frequent causes for shutdowns. Several restaurants faced repeat closures, highlighting ongoing challenges with pest control and sanitation compliance. In fact, recent reports documented 7 closures and 115 rodent droppings found in a single week across the state.
Common Violation Types Noted This Week
- Rodent droppings and live rodents in food storage, prep, and service areas
- Live and dead roaches in kitchen equipment and storage
- Improper food storage and temperature control, resulting in stop sales
- Sanitation lapses: soiled surfaces, lack of soap at hand sinks, and objectionable odors
- Repeat violations for pest activity and equipment cleanliness
Frequently Asked Questions: This Week’s Florida Restaurant Shutdowns
- Why was Stoner’s Pizza Joint in Fort Lauderdale shut down for a third time?
Based on DBPR inspection data, Stoner’s Pizza Joint was ordered shut after inspectors found extensive rodent droppings in multiple areas, a bag of flour with gnaw marks, and objectionable odors. This was the third closure in two years for similar pest-related issues. - What specific violations led to the closure of Hoagie Hut Café?
Hoagie Hut Café was closed after rodent droppings were found in the dry storage room and under a kitchen prep table. Inspectors also noted repeat sanitation violations, including a soiled can opener and food debris inside the oven. - How many live roaches were found at Taqueria El Paisa?
Inspectors documented approximately 40 live roaches inside an unused lowboy cooler on the cook line during the September 18 inspection. - What caused the stop sale at La Gourmandize Restaurant?
La Gourmandize Restaurant received a stop sale after cooked chicken was found held overnight at 48°F, above the safe temperature threshold. Inspectors also found a live rodent and rodent droppings on the premises. - Were any restaurants cited for issues beyond pests, such as equipment or food storage?
Yes. El Camino Mexican Soul Food and Tequila Bar was cited for a wild bird inside the establishment, inadequate sanitizer in the dish machine, and improper storage of raw animal foods over ready-to-eat items. Sbarro was cited for temperature abuse of mozzarella cheese and other cold items. - Did any restaurants receive repeat violations for the same issues?
Yes. Stoner’s Pizza Joint, La Gourmandize Restaurant, and Sbarro all had recent prior closures or repeat violations for pest activity and sanitation concerns, as documented in DBPR records.
Want to know what’s happening behind the kitchen door? Search any Florida restaurant and get simplified hygiene scores before you dine. Download CleanTable .
