PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – Roaches and rodents seem to be hanging out inside restaurant kitchen ovens.
Records show a live rodent was discovered in an oven at Vesuvio Restaurant in Hialeah last week.
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Live roaches were spotted in an oven inside the Cardozo Hotel. The hotel is owned by singer Gloria Estefan.
"Estefan Enterprises does not manage or operate the Cardozo Bar & Grill, which is leased to a third party," Esteban Enterprises President Frank Amadeo said in a statement. "Nonetheless, we take the issue of health and safety very seriously. As soon as we became aware of the Health Department's concerns, we demanded that our tenant immediately correct the issues, which they did."
Stefano Frittella, owner and operator of the Cardozo Bar & Grill, said Estefan Enterprises required the restaurant to conduct monthly health inspections and expand its pest control treatment to every two weeks after a 2013 health inspection "raised certain concerns."
"The insects found by the state inspector were in an oven with a broken door which had been inoperable for some time," Frittella said. "The oven was sanitized and, when the state inspector returned to the premises, he determined the problem had been completely corrected."
Frittella also took responsibility for the violation.
"I regret that due to this unfortunate circumstance, I created a situation which could be damaging to their impeccable reputation," Frittella said of the Estefan name.
All the places listed below were allowed to re-open following ordered cleanup and re-inspections.
Below is a list of all the places ordered shut last week and some of their violations.
Cardozo Bar & Grill
Cardozo Hotel
1300 Ocean Drive
Miami Beach
11 violations
Based on complaint
Also ordered shut 10/28/2013
"Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Approximately 24, inside oven."
"Wiping cloth sanitizing solution bucket stored near/on/above food preparation surface or food."
"Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance on/around soda dispensing nozzles."
Vesuvio Restaurant
2114 W. 68th St.
Hialeah
21 violations
"Live rodent present. Located in the oven. I opened the oven and found one live. When i re-opened oven rodent was not inside anymore. Oven portion is not operable. Hole located in rear of oven."
"Rodent rub marks present along walls/ceilings. Rub marks located on walls adjacent to ovens."
"Accumulation of dead or trapped birds, insects, rodents, or other pests, in control devices. One small dead rodent stuck in one sticky trap. One small dead rodent that has rotten out."
"Certified food manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of food borne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items."
Prime Time Cafe
860 Ocean Drive
Miami Beach
26 violations
"Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found .approximately 25, inside oven."
"Small flying insects in bar area."
"Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine."
"Accumulation of encrusted food debris on/around mixer head."
"No proof of parasite destruction or aqua culture documentation for cold smoked salmon served raw or undercooked. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded."
Banana Hut
13740 SW 152nd St.
Miami
20 violations
Also ordered shut 9/23/2014
"Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed approximately 10 live roaches behind a non-working reach in freezer located within five feet from the main cook line area."
"Live, small flying insects in food preparation area."
"Dead roaches on premises. 1 in handwash sink."
"Accumulation of dead or trapped birds, insects, rodents, or other pests, in control devices. Sticky fly strip."
Chuly's Cafe
1004 E. 16th St.
Hialeah
14 violations
"Rodent activity present as evidenced by approximately 12 fresh rodent droppings and approximately 30 dried rodent droppings found on shelves of preparation area."
Las Reynas
3291 W. Sunrise Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale
Mobile food service
10 violations
"Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded."
"Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed approximately 25-30 live roaches under hand wash sink next to 3-compartment sink."