Florida restaurant closures surged in Miami-Dade this week as state inspectors documented rodents, roaches, mold, and other serious health violations. Based on public records from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), four restaurants were ordered shut after failing health inspections. The findings highlight persistent sanitation issues and underscore the importance of transparent hygiene scores for diners. For a broader perspective on recent shutdowns, see the full September list of Florida restaurant closures due to rodent and roach violations.
Florida Restaurant Closures: Full List of Shutdowns This Week
According to official DBPR inspection data, the following Miami-Dade County restaurants were ordered closed between November 4 and November 6, 2024:
- La Palapa Restaurant Seafood & Grill – 3820 NW 36th Street, Miami
- Alegria by El Rancherito – 8383 NW 12th Street, Doral
- Big Crazy Taco – 436 North Krome Ave., Homestead
- Varsol by Akashi – 3423 Main Highway, Coconut Grove
Each of these establishments was cited for multiple high-priority violations, including pest activity, improper food storage, and sanitation failures. All were allowed to reopen after passing follow-up inspections. For more details on recent shutdowns in Miami-Dade and Broward County counties, including issues like sewage and insect violations, check out this comprehensive report on closures caused by sewage, roaches, and insect violations.
Miami-Dade Restaurants Ordered Shut: Key Violations and Inspection Details
La Palapa Restaurant Seafood & Grill: Rodents, Droppings, and Insects
La Palapa Restaurant Seafood & Grill was ordered shut on November 4 after inspectors found extensive evidence of rodent and insect activity. According to DBPR records:
- Over 20 rodent droppings in a second-floor storage room
- 15+ centipedes found dead in storage areas
- Rodent rub marks along walls and ceilings
- Six dead roaches on the second floor, two more in the kitchen
- Seven live flies in the kitchen, with one landing on food prep dough (resulting in a stop sale)
- Dishwashing machine not sanitizing properly (0 ppm chlorine)
- No certified food manager on duty and missing employee training documentation
CleanTable assigned a D grade based on the high number and severity of violations documented in these public records.
Alegria by El Rancherito: Flies, Food Storage, and Handwashing Issues
Alegria by El Rancherito in Doral was closed on November 6 after inspectors found 28 violations, including:
- Dozens of live flies in the bar, kitchen, and warehouse areas
- Improper separation of raw meats and fish
- Employees failing to wash hands after handling personal cellphones
- Dish machines in both the ware wash and bar areas not sanitizing (0 ppm sanitizer)
- No soap at hand wash sinks in multiple locations (repeat violation)
- No certified food manager present
These findings resulted in an immediate closure order. The restaurant was allowed to reopen after correcting the violations and passing re-inspection.
Big Crazy Taco: Roach Activity, Mold, and Temperature Abuse
At Big Crazy Taco in Homestead, inspectors documented 40 violations on November 6, including:
- Live and dead roaches found in the kitchen and on equipment
- Dead flies near food storage areas
- Use of household pesticide in the kitchen
- Mold-like substance inside the ice machine (repeat violation)
- Ceiling tiles soiled with debris and mold
- Multiple foods held at unsafe temperatures (cheese, meats, rice, beans, sauces)
- Evidence of employee smoking (vape device found on food handling table)
- Hand wash sink blocked and inaccessible
- No employee training records available
CleanTable assigned a D grade, reflecting the pattern of high-priority issues in the inspection data. For a look at other recent closures involving roach, fly, and mold violations, see this full October 2024 list of Florida restaurant closures.
Varsol by Akashi: Roaches and Mold in Coconut Grove
Varsol by Akashi in Coconut Grove was closed on November 4 after 15 violations were found:
- Six live roaches on sticky traps above prep tables and storage shelves
- Two more live roaches crawling on kitchen walls
- Four dead roaches on sticky devices
- Mold-like substance inside the bar ice machine
- Improper temperature control for sushi rice and krab salad mix
- Hand wash sinks blocked or lacking soap (repeat violations)
A follow-up inspection on November 5 still found two live roaches in the kitchen area, but the restaurant was permitted to reopen after further corrective actions.
Popular Miami Restaurant Faces 33 Violations: 94th Aero Squadron
While not ordered closed, 94th Aero Squadron at 1395 NW 57th Avenue in Miami was cited for 33 violations on November 6. A follow-up inspection was required. Notable findings included:
- Live flies in the kitchen, bar, and dining areas
- Mold-like substance inside ice bins
- Evidence of feeding stray animals (cat food stored with dry food)
- Soiled soda dispenser nozzles and air vents
- Food stored directly on the floor
- Temperature abuse of cheese, sauces, and produce (stop sale issued)
- Improper separation of raw meats and fish
CleanTable assigned a C grade, primarily due to repeated sanitation and temperature control issues documented in the DBPR records.
Florida Restaurant Inspection Trends: What the Data Shows
This week’s Miami-Dade restaurant closures highlight recurring issues found in DBPR inspection data:
- Pest activity: Rodents, roaches, centipedes, and flies found in multiple locations
- Improper food storage: Unsafe temperatures and cross-contamination of raw foods
- Sanitation failures: Dish machines not sanitizing, hand wash sinks blocked or missing soap
- Employee practices: Lack of handwashing, use of personal devices, and missing training records
- Mold and debris: Mold-like substances in ice machines and on ceilings
All restaurants listed were allowed to reopen after correcting violations and passing follow-up inspections, as required by state procedures.
FAQ: Miami-Dade Restaurant Closures and Violations This Week
- Why was La Palapa Restaurant Seafood & Grill shut down?
Inspectors found extensive rodent activity, droppings, dead roaches, centipedes, and flies in food areas. A stop sale was issued after a fly landed on dough during prep. - What violations led to the closure of Alegria by El Rancherito?
The restaurant was cited for dozens of live flies in food and bar areas, improper storage of raw meats, dish machines not sanitizing, and lack of soap at hand sinks. - How many roaches were found at Big Crazy Taco?
Inspectors found at least six live and dead roaches in the kitchen and on equipment, along with dead flies and evidence of household pesticide use. - What happened during the follow-up inspection at Varsol by Akashi?
A callback inspection still found two live roaches in the kitchen area, but the restaurant was permitted to reopen after further corrective actions. - Did 94th Aero Squadron have to close?
No, but the restaurant was cited for 33 violations, including flies, mold in ice bins, and improper food temperatures. A follow-up inspection was required. - Were all closed restaurants allowed to reopen?
Yes, all four Miami-Dade restaurants were permitted to reopen after passing re-inspection and addressing the cited violations.
Want to check the latest restaurant hygiene scores before you dine out in Miami-Dade? Download CleanTable from the App Store or Play Store and see the real DBPR data for any Florida restaurant.
