Florida restaurant closures and inspection failures often make headlines, but this week, two South Florida establishments stood out for the opposite reason. According to official Florida inspection data pulled from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation), Fish Shack in Lighthouse Point and Pollo Tropical in Aventura achieved perfect scores with zero violations during their latest food safety inspections. These results highlight the high standards some restaurants maintain, even as others face shutdowns for violations like rodents, roaches, and mold. For a broader look at this week’s top performers, see the full list of Clean Plate Award winners in South Florida.
Florida Restaurant Closures vs. Spotless Inspections: This Week’s Standouts
While recent weeks have seen several Florida restaurants ordered closed due to health violations, the latest Florida DBPR data reveals a different story for two local favorites. Fish Shack and Pollo Tropical (Promenade Shops, Aventura) both received flawless inspection reports, setting an example for food safety in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. If you’re interested in more locations that maintained perfect records, check out 36 South Florida restaurants with zero violations this week.
Fish Shack in Lighthouse Point: Zero Violations, Top CleanTable Score
Located at 2460 N Federal Highway, Lighthouse Point, Fish Shack has served South Florida for over 15 years. According to public records from the Florida DBPR, its most recent unannounced inspection resulted in zero violations—a rare achievement in the state’s competitive dining scene.
CleanTable, the independent app that simplifies Florida restaurant hygiene scores, assigned Fish Shack an A+ grade based on the spotless inspection. This score reflects the absence of any high-priority, intermediate, or basic violations in the latest report.
How Fish Shack Maintains Food Safety Excellence
- Daily cleaning routines: Staff sweep and mop every night, with a focus on keeping all areas sanitized.
- Fresh, locally sourced seafood: The menu features daily selections from local vendors, supporting both quality and safety.
- Staff training and vigilance: Managers conduct regular walk-throughs and ensure all stations are kept clean.
Manager Brandy Jones expressed pride in the accomplishment, stating, “We clean this place every night. We sweep, we mop. Everyone takes pride in this place.” District manager Justin Stevenson added, “We work tirelessly with the staff… keeping stations sanitized.”
Pollo Tropical in Aventura: No Violations Since 2022
Fast food chains are not always known for perfect inspection records, but the Pollo Tropical at 20403 Biscayne Blvd, Aventura (Promenade Shops) has maintained an exceptional standard. According to DBPR data, this location received zero violations on its most recent inspection and has reported no high-priority violations since 2022. Notably, other major chains have also achieved spotless records recently—see which Wendy’s, Taco Bell, and Wingstop locations earned zero violations this week.
CleanTable assigned this Pollo Tropical an A+ grade for its consistent performance. The app’s scoring system, which deducts points for each violation based on severity, found no issues to report for this location.
Recognition for Consistent Food Safety
- Zero violations on latest inspection
- No high-priority violations for over two years
- Clean Plate Award presented by Local 10 News
Despite corporate policy prohibiting cameras inside, Local 10 News recognized the achievement by presenting a Clean Plate Award to the staff. The manager on duty noted the importance of acknowledging the team’s efforts in maintaining these standards.
Florida Restaurant Inspection Process Explained
All Florida restaurants are subject to unannounced food safety inspections by the DBPR. Inspectors check for compliance with state food safety codes, including:
- Proper food storage and temperature control
- Cleanliness of kitchen and dining areas
- Absence of pests such as rodents or roaches
- Employee hygiene and training
Violations are categorized as High Priority, Intermediate, or Basic. Multiple or severe violations can result in temporary closures until issues are corrected. However, restaurants like Fish Shack and Pollo Tropical demonstrate that maintaining a spotless record is possible with consistent effort.
How CleanTable Grades Florida Restaurants Using DBPR Data
CleanTable is an independent mobile app that helps consumers make informed dining decisions by simplifying Florida restaurant inspection data. The app:
- Pulls weekly inspection data from the Florida DBPR
- Scores each restaurant on a 1–100 scale and assigns a letter grade
- Weights violations by severity (High Priority = -3 points, Intermediate = -2, Basic = -1)
- Provides both simplified summaries and full original reports for transparency
Fish Shack and Pollo Tropical both earned A+ grades this week, reflecting their perfect inspection results and commitment to food safety.
Full List: Florida Restaurants With Spotless Inspections This Week
- Fish Shack – 2460 N Federal Highway, Lighthouse Point, Broward County
- Pollo Tropical – 20403 Biscayne Blvd, Promenade Shops, Aventura, Miami-Dade County
These establishments set themselves apart by achieving zero violations, even as other Florida restaurants face shutdowns for issues like pest activity or improper food handling.
Frequently Asked Questions: Florida Restaurant Inspections This Week
- What violations were found at Fish Shack in Lighthouse Point?
Based on public records from the Florida DBPR, Fish Shack received zero violations during its latest inspection. No high-priority, intermediate, or basic issues were documented. - How did Pollo Tropical in Aventura perform on its inspection?
The Pollo Tropical at 20403 Biscayne Blvd, Aventura, received a perfect score with zero violations on its most recent inspection. There have been no high-priority violations at this location since 2022. - What factors contributed to Fish Shack’s spotless inspection?
Fish Shack maintains daily cleaning routines, sources fresh seafood locally, and emphasizes staff training and vigilance, according to statements from management and staff. - Has Pollo Tropical in Aventura ever been shut down for violations?
According to the latest DBPR data referenced in this week’s report, this Pollo Tropical location has not been ordered closed and has maintained a clean record for over two years. - Are there other restaurants in South Florida with zero violations this week?
The DBPR data highlighted in this article specifically features Fish Shack in Lighthouse Point and Pollo Tropical in Aventura as this week’s standout performers with spotless inspections.
Want to know which Florida restaurants are scoring spotless inspections or facing shutdowns? Search any restaurant and see the latest hygiene grades before you dine — Download CleanTable .
