MoneyConsumer

Actions

Dirty Dining: Some restaurants ring in New Year with roaches and rodents

Posted
and last updated

A popular Jensen Beach restaurant didn’t start the New Year quite the way it hoped for. “Chillin the Most at the Beach” was cited by state inspectors for live, flying insects in the dry storage area. Inspectors also found more than 50 rodent droppings on the shelves and floor of the dry storage room. 

We reached out to the restaurant, who sent us this statement:

After taking ownership and opening our doors on October 19th, 2012, Chillin' the Most has continued to carry the reputation of being one of the cleanest restaurants on the Treasure Coast. Not only have we spent over $50,000 to replace all of the kitchen equipment to ensure food safety, but we have implemented a rigid daily cleaning regiment that our staff members are held accountable for. This consists of and is not limited to all the requirements that are implemented by the state. Time and time again our community has commented that our entertainment based restaurant has the feel of a fine dining establishment due to our cleanliness. With our reputation always at the forefront, we still value a professional opinion, therefore we have Orkin and Truly Nolan on a monthly schedule. Both companies monitor any insect/rodent activity to ensure we are at the highest standard. Through their service they have not found any issue of concern with insect/rodent activity. Chillin' the Most has always and will always continue to provide one of the cleanest dining experiences on the TreasureCoast.

The restaurant met inspection standards when inspectors returned to the restaurant a few days later.

State inspectors also paid a New Year visit to “Mrs. Mac’s Fillin’ Station” in Vero Beach. They found 16 live roaches near the dish and ice machines. They also found several more dead roaches. Inspectors visited the restaurant four days in a row and found live roaches on each visit. An employee at the restaurant says they are currently closed for kitchen renovations.

“YNot” restaurant in Vero Beach had the most violations in our area so far this year. Inspectors cited them for 41 violations, with 25 of them basic and five of them high priority. One high priority violation included a stop sale on soup that was not cooled correctly. 

“YNot” General Manager John Bono sent us this statement: “We enjoy an excellent working relationship with the Health Department. Our latest inspection from them was the final training day for their newest inspector. Reasonably enough, she was encouraged to demonstrate to her superior a comprehensive knowledge of all rules. Ensuingly, she wrote up many things that would not be typical of an inspection. Please read the report, available online, and then inspect our open and extremely sanitary kitchen to allay any remaining concerns. We are appreciative in the utmost for the education and guidance that the Health Department brings to both us and our industry.”

RODENTS/ROACHES/INSECTS

Tropical Island Restaurant, 1600 N Federal Hwy in Boynton Beach had rodent activity evidenced by droppings found in the kitchen and behind the freezer. The restaurant does have monthly pest control.

Santino’s Family Pizzeria, 130 S Congress Ave in Delray Beach had dead roaches underneath the steam table and compartment sink. The owner, Michael, says they have pest control come to the restaurant every month.

Boston Market #132, 9929 S Military Trail in Boynton Beach had dead roaches under the front cabinet at the steam table and next to the trash can. They also had live, flying insects in the food preparation area.

STOP SALES

The Boca Beach House, 887 E Palmetto Park Road in Boca Raton had a stop sale on potentially hazardous food due to temperature abuse. The owner, Howard, says their refrigerator has been fixed.

Las Americas Restaurant, 1336 S Military Trail in West Palm Beach had a stop sale issued on pork and chicken that was held at the wrong temperature.

Flashback Diner, 1450 N. Federal Highway in Boca Raton had a stop sale on food due to temperature abuse.

House of Siam, 25 NE 2 Ave in Delray Beach had a stop sale on several foods including beef, pork, egg rolls, and tofu being held at the wrong temperature.

New Golden China, 7036 W Palmetto Park Road in Boca Raton had a stop sale on chicken and beef held at the wrong temperature for more than 6 hours. They also had 19 violations, the second most of any restaurant for the work week ending 1/3/14.

MOST VIOLATIONS

Work Week Ending 12/27/13

Big Apple Pizza, 2856 Port St Lucie Blvd in Port St. Lucie had the most violations with 21. The majority of them were basic; one was high priority.

Wing Wong, 5891 S Military Trail in Lake Worth had 18 violations, the second most this week. An employee says they are in the process of cleaning up and better training the employees.

Work Week Ending 1/3/14

Fon Shan Chinese, 4735 N Congress Ave in Boynton Beach had 23 violations, the most this week. Six of them were high priority, including food being held at the wrong temperature.

Denny’s Restaurant, 4102 W Blue Heron Blvd in Riviera Beach had 19 violations. The manager says the violations were a lot of “little things” and they are in the process of cleaning up and better training the staff.

Work Week Ending 1/10/14

YNot, 710 S US 1 Ste A1 in Vero Beach had 41 violations, the most of any in our area last week. You can read the statement from the General Manager above.

Sam Snead’s Oak Grill & Tavern, 8540 Commerce Center Drive in Port St. Lucie had the second most violations with 29. Deanna, the General Manager, says most of them were minor infractions and they were corrected on-site.

Island Jack’s, 4449 Okeechobee Blvd in West Palm Beach also had 29 violations. One high priority violation included a stop sale on several food items being held at the wrong temperature. The General Manager says he is glad the inspectors came and they were able to make some improvements. 

Interested to see if your favorite restaurant had any violations? Click here.