Dead rodents, 100+ rodent droppings among 45 violations found inside restaurant!

One of the worst inspections we have seen in a while happened last week.

Cayo Esquivel Seafood Restaurant and Market in Hialeah Gardens was ordered shut last Wednesday and the inspector noted 45 violations!

A rodent was also spotted at Saveur Tropical in Pompano Beach.

Records show it’s the second time Saveur Tropical has been ordered shut.

Below is a list of places that were ordered shut and some of their violations.

All the places mentioned were allowed to re-open following an ordered cleanup followed by a re-inspection.

**THE HEN AND THE HOG

3003 NORTH FEDERAL HIGHWAY

POMPANO BEACH

INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT

ORDERED SHUT 5/20

13 VIOLATIONS FOUND

“Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. 1. Approximately 35 rodent droppings observed at the front counter on bottom shelves next to cleaned cup and bowls. 2. Approximately 15 rodent droppings observed beneath reach in cooler and beneath hand sink, opposite the cook line in the kitchen. 3. Five rodent droppings observed on and under toilet paper on bottom shelf of storage rack in dry storage area. 4. Observed approximately 15 rodent droppings around water heater in dry storage area.”

“Accumulation of mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine.”

“Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked pork (47F), turkey (50F), and corned beef (48F) stored in two door reach in cooler opposite cook line in kitchen.”

“Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Employee cracked two raw shell eggs and then handled bread without hand washing.”

“Employee touched bare body part and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee rubbed nose with gloves hand and then handled bread without hand washing. Repeat Violation.”

“Dish machine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dish machine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dish machine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dish machine chlorine sanitizer, 0ppm.”

**KAM WOW

12895 SW 42ND STREET

MIAMI

INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT

ORDERED SHUT 5/22

12 VIOLATIONS FOUND

“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 1 live roach resting on bottom shelf near container of noodles inside 2 door reach in cooler across from expo area. Observed approximately 7 live roaches crawling on floor underneath 3 compartment sink at kitchen area. Observed 1 live roach crawling on floor underneath preparation cooler at cook line. Observed 3 live roaches crawling on floor underneath dish machine at ware washing room.”

“Dead roaches on premises. Observed 1 dead roach on floor underneath 3 compartment sink. Observed 1 dead roach on floor at men’s bathroom.”

“Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed masago (47F - Cold Holding); cream cheese (49F - Cold Holding); raw tuna (45F - Cold Holding) at preparation cooler at sushi area. As per operator, products stored inside unit since the previous day.”

“Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Observed nonfood grade paper towel in direct contact with spring rolls.”

“No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees.”

“FROM FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION 2024-05-23: Observed 1 live roach crawling on menu at front counter.”

**CAYO ESQUIVEL SEAFOOD RESTAURANT AND MARKET

11890 NW 87TH COURT

HIALEAH GARDENS

ORDERED SHUT 5/22

45 VIOLATIONS FOUND

“Dead rodent present. Observed 2 dead mice trapped in a glue trap under a shelf , located in the dry storage room where a chest freezer with frozen seafood is stored and also canned products, dry goods, utensils and equipment is stored.”

“Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed 100 plus rodent droppings all over the dry storage room underneath shelves and pallets where caned products, dry goods, utensils and equipment is stored.”

“Dead roaches on premises. Observed 1 dead roach floating on the water inside steam table at kitchen.”

“Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed ice machine located inside walking cooler with mold like residue on the ice chute.”

“Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed oven at kitchen soiled.”

“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed fryer at cook line with grease. Observed hood soiled at kitchen.”

“Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed throughout the establishment. Observed wall inside the walking cooler by ice dispenser heavily soiled with mold like residue.”

“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener soiled at preparation by kitchen. Observed mixer soiled at preparation area by kitchen.”

“Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed extremely soiled at dry storage room.”

“Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed Container with no handle inside rice container located near walk in cooler.”

“In-use utensil for non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored in a clean, protected location. Observed Bucket use to transport fish stored underneath hand sink exposed to splash.”

“Stop Sale issued due to adulteration of food product. Observed 10 packages of raw tuna and 10 packaged of king fish vacuumed sealed and not frozen anymore. As per operator for more than 4 hours. And the proper directions provided by the package was not followed.”

“Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed yellow rice (49F - Cold Holding); Marcela sauce (47F); sweet potatoes (48F - Cold Holding); cooked potatoes (47F - Cold Holding); tomato sauce (49F - Cold Holding); Cole slaw (47F - Cold Holding); snapper (48F - Cold Holding); calamari (47F - Cold Holding) at walk in cooler.”

“Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked rice and beans, ceviche, yellow rice, sweet potatoes, cooked potatoes at walk in cooler no date marked for more than 24 hours. Observed cooked octopus at reaching cooler by cook line not date marked for more than 24 hours. Repeat Violation.”

“Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee engaging with food with no hair restraint at preparation area.”

**SAVEUR TROPICAL

515 NE 24TH COURT

POMPANO BEACH

ORDERED SHUT 5/24

20 VIOLATIONS FOUND

ALSO ORDERED SHUT 10/31/23(ROACH ISSUE)

“Dead rodent present. Observed three dead rodents on glue board trap under shelving in walk in cooler converted to dry storage area.”

“Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Approximately 10 rodent droppings observed on floor around dry storage and prep area, employees actively mopping and sweeping during inspection.”

“Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Cooked lalo (beef)(73F), cooked chicken (50F), chicken gravy (51F), and cooked goat (50F) stored in the walk in cooler.”

“Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed food debris beneath dry storage rack in dry storage area.”

“Food stored on floor. 1. Oil in plastic jugs stored on the floor in the kitchen next to fryers. 2. Bagged corn meal stored on the floor next to storage rack in dry storage area. 3. Plastic jugs of vinegar stored on the floor in dry storage area.”

“Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. 1. Observed on wall behind and next to fryers in kitchen.”

“No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling.”

“No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees.”

“No soap provided at hand wash sink, next to the triple sink.”

**AZUMARE

26 DIPLOMAT PARKWAY

HALLANDALE BEACH

ORDERED SHUT 5/20

10 VIOLATIONS FOUND

“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 1) 6 live roaches on floor next to cases of oil in kitchen. 2) 3 lives roaches on wall next to Wok in kitchen. 3) 3 lives roaches under hands washing sink in kitchen. 4) 3 lives roaches on flip top in kitchen.”

“Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine.”

“Employee washed hands with no soap. No soap in kitchen. Employee used water to washed hands but didn’t apply soap. Reviewed proper hands washing procedures. Employee get soap from front counter and washed hands correctly.”

“Required employee training expired for some employees.”

“Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.”

**BILLY JOE’S THE CONCH QUEEN

3936 PEMBROKE ROAD

PEMBROKE PARK

ORDERED SHUT 5/20

6 VIOLATIONS FOUND

“No hand wash sink for employees. Total lack of water at only designated hand wash sink for food service in establishment. Only available hand wash sink is in restroom.”

“No hand wash sink for employees. Total lack of water at only designated hand wash sink for food service in establishment. Only available hand wash sink is in restroom.”


About the Author

Jeff Weinsier joined Local 10 News in September 1994. He is currently an investigative reporter for Local 10. He is also responsible for the very popular Dirty Dining segments.

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