By Kevin Deutsch
Two Tamarac restaurants were temporarily closed by state health inspectors this month for a slew of violations, records show.
Inside the first restaurant, Rob’s Bageland, 8217 N. Pine Island Rd., inspectors found small live flying insects in the kitchen, food preparation area, and food storage and bar areas, according to a state inspection report. Twenty or more flies were spotted in the server area landing on cups and straws used to serve guests, inspectors said.
About 70 or more flies were also seen flying down a hallway leading to the server area, records show. At least 40 other insects buzzed around the food prep area and landed on cutting boards, food choppers, pots, ovens and walls.
Thirty-five or more flies were also found in other parts of the restaurant, according to the report.
Inspectors said they also found dirty walls in the restaurant, a moldy can opener, water leaking onto part of the floor, an improperly stored toxic substance and food stored at unsafe temperatures, records show. .
The other restaurant temporarily closed in Tamarac was Denny’s, 5710 N. University Dr., where inspectors found 16 violations, including live and dead cockroaches on the premises, according to the inspection report.
They found three dead cockroaches in the dining room of the restaurant, one next to the washing-up room, one under a kitchen sink, two on a bread rack and two next to the ice maker, the report said.
Inspectors also found live cockroaches, including one on the cook’s line next to the bread rack. Cockroach droppings were also found near the cooking areas, records show.
The restaurant was also cited for sewage backing up through floor drains. Inspectors found that liquid was backing up from a floor drain at the cooking line after nearby sinks and toilets produced an “unpleasant smell”, according to records.
Live flies, mold, dirt and foul odors were also found in other parts of the restaurant, inspectors said.
Denny’s and Rob’s Bageland were closed July 11 and reopened July 12, according to the state.
The state conducts regular inspections of public food, service, and lodging establishments to ensure compliance with Florida health and safety laws.
According to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, each inspection report is a “snapshot” of the conditions during the inspection.
“On any given day, a facility may have fewer or more violations than noted during its last inspection,” according to the agency. “An inspection performed on any given day may not be representative of the overall long-term conditions of the facility. Because conditions can change quickly, establishments are not ranked.
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Author profile
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Kevin Deutsch is an award-winning crime reporter and author. A graduate of Florida International University, Kevin has worked on the staff of the Miami Herald, New York Daily News and Palm Beach Post.
