A restaurant nightmare unfolded in Key West, forcing a popular eatery to close its doors due to a severe rodent infestation. Imagine the scene: over 80 rodent droppings discovered throughout the Grand Café's kitchen! This shocking discovery led to an immediate shutdown, raising serious concerns about food safety and hygiene. But that's not all...
Inspectors found more than just droppings. They also uncovered bite marks on a 10-pound bag of pasta and droppings inside food containers. This paints a grim picture of the extent of the infestation.
And this is the part most people miss... The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation documented a long list of violations. Let's break down the key issues:
Grand Café (Key West): Faced 11 violations, including the presence of rodent droppings in multiple areas, such as the dish machine, behind the beverage cooler, and even on bread trays. The inspectors also noted a stop-sale order due to the condition of the food. There was also a problem with the floor, which was soiled and had an accumulation of debris. The non-food contact surfaces were also soiled with grease and food debris. Furthermore, the temperature control for safety food was not properly maintained, with cooked pasta and raw tuna being held at temperatures greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. The restaurant also lacked a certified food service manager on duty.
New Wave Billiards (near FIU, Miami): Faced 7 violations, including a live rat stuck on a glue trap and roach activity. The inspectors also found an accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the ice machine. Additionally, food packaged using a reduced oxygen method was not properly labeled with the production time and date.
Both establishments were allowed to reopen after a thorough cleanup and re-inspection.
But here's where it gets controversial... The sheer number of violations at Grand Café raises questions about the restaurant's maintenance practices. While the closure and subsequent reopening suggest that the issues were addressed, it's hard not to wonder how such a severe infestation was allowed to occur in the first place.
What do you think? Were the violations at these restaurants a result of negligence, or are these types of issues more common than we realize? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
