Florida restaurant closures surged this week as three Broward County establishments were ordered shut by state inspectors, according to public records from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). These Florida restaurant closures due to rodents, roaches, and mold highlight recurring issues with rodents, flies, and food safety violations, underscoring ongoing challenges in maintaining hygiene standards across South Florida kitchens.
Florida Restaurant Closures: This Week’s Shutdowns in Broward County
Between June 2 and June 4, 2025, DBPR officials ordered the temporary closure of Express Caribbean Restaurant in North Lauderdale, Corporate Chef (Catering) in Hollywood, Florida, and a McDonald’s in Sunrise. Each shutdown followed the discovery of significant health code violations, including rodent activity, insect infestations, and improper food handling. For a full list of Miami and Broward restaurant closures this week, see our comprehensive inspection roundup.
Express Caribbean Restaurant: Third Shutdown for Rodent Activity
Express Caribbean Restaurant, located at 1401 S. State Road 7 in North Lauderdale, was ordered closed on June 4 after inspectors documented extensive rodent droppings throughout the facility. This marks the third time in less than a year that the restaurant has been shut down for rodent-related issues.
- Date ordered shut: June 4, 2025
- Previous closures: August 8, 2024 (rodent issues), July 16, 2024 (rodent issues)
- Total violations found this week: 18
Inspection records detail rodent droppings in multiple locations:
- 8 droppings on a storage shelf under a bag of jasmine rice
- 2 droppings on the floor in a storage room off the kitchen
- Approximately 10 droppings in a mop sink next to the three-compartment sink
- About 10 droppings on shelves along the cook line
- 4 droppings on the floor near freezer chests in the back storage room
- 6 droppings on the floor in front of a two-door glass beverage cooler at the front counter
Additional violations included:
- Use of household-grade pesticide (Hot Shot ant and roach spray) on a kitchen shelf
- Stop sale issued on pickles stored overnight in a broken cooler (65°F, ambient temperature 60°F)
- Improper thawing of cooked pork at room temperature
- Improper dispensing of flour and rice using containers without handles
- No soap provided at the hand wash sink
According to CleanTable’s independent scoring, this pattern of repeated high-priority violations would result in a D grade, reflecting ongoing concerns documented in public DBPR inspection data.
Corporate Chef (Catering): Flies and Unsafe Food Temperatures
Corporate Chef (Catering), located at 6634 Stirling Road in Hollywood, was also ordered shut on June 4 after inspectors observed more than 30 live flies throughout the kitchen and food prep areas. Flies were seen landing on food containers, prep tables, and even the inspector’s tablet.
- Date ordered shut: June 4, 2025
- Total violations found: 6
Key violations included:
- 30+ live flies on packaged turkey snacks, juice containers, and open food containers
- Flies on the cheese cooler door, inspector’s iPad, and a box of baby carrots
- Stop sale issued for shell eggs left unrefrigerated at 72°F
- Improper cooling of turkey, which remained above 41°F for several hours
These findings resulted in an immediate closure order until corrective actions could be verified by a follow-up inspection. For more on recent shutdowns in Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale, and Hollywood—including issues with flies, roaches, and mold—see our full inspection list for May 2025.
McDonald’s in Sunrise: Flies, Overflowing Dumpster, and Restroom Debris
The McDonald’s at 10910 West Oakland Park Blvd. in Sunrise was shut down on June 2 following a complaint-based inspection. Inspectors found multiple sanitation issues, including flies in the kitchen, dining area, and bathrooms, as well as an overflowing dumpster and unsanitary restroom conditions.
- Date ordered shut: June 2, 2025
- Total violations found: 5
Notable violations included:
- Approximately 10 flies stuck on a fly trap
- Live flies observed in the kitchen, on food containers, and in the dining area
- Overflowing dumpster that could not be closed completely
- Men’s bathroom urinal coated with debris
All three locations were allowed to reopen after completing corrective actions and passing re-inspections.
Inspection Trends: No Closures in Miami-Dade or the Keys
According to DBPR data, no restaurants in Miami-Dade County or the Florida Keys were ordered shut during the same period. This ongoing trend has raised questions given the high density of food establishments in those areas.
CleanTable Grades: How Violations Impact Scores
CleanTable assigns hygiene scores and letter grades to Florida restaurants based on official DBPR inspection data. High-priority violations, such as rodent activity and unsafe food temperatures, have a significant negative impact on a restaurant’s score. Users can access simplified summaries and full inspection reports through the CleanTable app.
Frequently Asked Questions: Florida Restaurant Shutdowns This Week
- Why was Express Caribbean Restaurant in North Lauderdale shut down this week?
Inspectors found extensive rodent droppings throughout food storage and preparation areas, including inside a mop sink and on shelves near cooking stations. This was the third shutdown for rodent issues in less than a year. - What specific violations led to the closure of Corporate Chef (Catering) in Hollywood?
More than 30 live flies were observed on food containers, prep tables, and other surfaces. Inspectors also found shell eggs left unrefrigerated at 72°F and improperly cooled turkey, resulting in stop sales for temperature abuse. - What conditions triggered the shutdown of the McDonald’s in Sunrise?
Inspectors documented flies in multiple areas, an overflowing dumpster, and a men’s bathroom urinal coated with debris. These sanitation issues prompted an immediate closure order. - How quickly did these restaurants reopen after being shut down?
All three establishments were permitted to reopen after completing required cleanups and passing follow-up inspections by DBPR officials. - Were any Miami-Dade or Florida Keys restaurants ordered shut this week?
No. According to DBPR data, there were no restaurant shutdowns in Miami-Dade County or the Florida Keys during this inspection cycle.
Want to see restaurant hygiene scores before you dine? Search any Florida restaurant and get the facts—Download CleanTable .
