News Summary
Central Florida has seen the closure of seven restaurants due to serious health violations in the week of March 23-29. Popular spots like Domino’s Pizza and Garranty Bon Bagay faced critical issues such as sewage problems and unwashed hands. Other eateries, including Mi Pan Boricua Cafe and Bella’s Pizzeria, encountered numerous violations linked to pests and improper food handling. It’s crucial for diners to remain vigilant about food safety and the compliance of their favorite restaurants.
Warning for Food Lovers: Seven Central Florida Restaurants Closed Down!
Central Florida diners might want to think twice before ordering out this week! According to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, a total of seven restaurants found themselves in hot water and were shut down during the week of March 23-29. Whether you’re a pizza lover or a fan of diverse cuisines, it’s essential to know which places were hit with some serious health violations.
Domino’s Pizza – A Sewage Situation in Orlando
First on the list is Domino’s Pizza, located at 10057 University Blvd. in Orlando. This popular pizza spot was forced to close its doors on March 24 after inspectors discovered five violations, one of which was a high priority — backed-up sewage water. That’s certainly not a topping anyone wants on their pizza! Thankfully, a second inspection took place on March 25, and while one new violation was reported (but not classified as high priority), the restaurant eventually met inspection standards and reopened.
Garranty Bon Bagay Restaurant – Unwashed Hands are No Joke!
Next up, we have the Garranty Bon Bagay Restaurant at 2051 Americana Blvd. in Orlando, which also closed on March 24. With two violations found, one high priority stemmed from an employee serving food without washing their hands due to a missing hand sink. That’s a big no-no when it comes to food safety! A follow-up inspection on the same day did reveal one more violation, albeit not a high-priority one, and Garranty Bon Bagay was able to pass the inspection shortly after.
Mi Pan Boricua Cafe – A Buggy Situation
On March 26, Mi Pan Boricua Cafe, located at 4063 S. Goldenrod Road, Orlando, faced a serious issue with inspectors uncovering a staggering 26 violations! Among these, five were high-priority, including the presence of flying insects and even roaches. A second inspection took place on March 27, revealing eight ongoing violations, and while a time extension was granted for one high-priority violation regarding nonfood-grade containers, Mi Pan Boricua Cafe ultimately met the necessary standards and reopened.
Bella’s Pizzeria – Roach Activity Alert!
Then there’s Bella’s Pizzeria at 500 State Road 436 in Casselberry, which was shut down on March 25 due to 16 violations. Out of these, two were high priority, focusing on roach activity and an employee handling food without washing hands. Subsequent inspections found decreased violations, and though they initially did not comply with the emergency order, Bella’s Pizzeria eventually got back on track and met standards.
Knights Table Diner – Food Storage Woes
Knights Table Diner in Oviedo was not spared either, with a closure on March 26 after inspectors identified 19 violations, four of which were high priority, mainly regarding unsafe food storage practices. A follow-up inspection on March 27 still noted a few violations, but overall, it was concluded that the diner did not pose a threat to public health.
Lina’s Fresh Cuisine – Water Issues
Lina’s Fresh Cuisine, based at 3550 Bayside Lake Blvd. SE in Palm Bay, closed on March 28 due to a mere seven violations, two of which were high-priority relating to food handling and lack of potable water. A second inspection was conducted on April 1, where they found two additional violations; however, none classified as high priorities meant the restaurant could reopen after a follow-up visit.
Hot Wok – Rodent Activity Concern
Hot Wok in Titusville faced similar challenges, shutting down on March 25 due to 13 violations, including five high priority violations linked to rodent activity. However, a second inspection on March 26 showed a decrease in violations, allowing them to meet inspection standards and reopen.
Overall Health Violations in Central Florida
Interestingly, Orange County led the region with the highest number of warnings and complaints, totaling 37, while Volusia County followed closely behind with 21. Other counts included Lake and Brevard counties, each with 12, Seminole with seven, and Osceola with seven. So folks, let’s stay informed about where we choose to eat!
When dining out, always remember to be aware of food safety. If it doesn’t look right or feel right, trust your gut and ask questions. After all, our health and well-being come first!
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Additional Resources
- Orlando Sentinel: 7 Central Florida Restaurants Shut Down
- MSN: Inspections Lead to 4 Central Florida Restaurant Shutdowns
- Orlando Sentinel: 3 Central Florida Restaurant Shut Down Last Week
- Click Orlando: Orlando Area Restaurants Closed
- Google Search: Food Safety
- Wikipedia: Food Safety
