News Summary
Five popular eateries in Central Florida faced temporary closures due to health violations, including rodent activity and improper food storage. Restaurants such as Chinatown and Pete’s Famous BBQ corrected their issues after inspections. Orange County led in reported health incidents, highlighting the importance of food safety in the region’s dining scene.
Hello Orlando: What’s Cooking in Your Food Scene?
If you’ve been enjoying dining out in Central Florida lately, it’s crucial to keep an eye on those restaurant health ratings. Recently, five eateries were temporarily shut down during the week of February 16-22 due to health violations. We’ve got the scoop on each of them, and what potential diners should know!
Chinatown in Orlando – A Mess in the Kitchen!
First up is Chinatown, located at 4200 Conroy Road, #259. This beloved spot was shut down on February 20 after inspectors discovered a whopping nine violations! Three of these were flagged as high-priority. Among the troubling findings included backed-up sewage in the kitchen—yikes! That’s definitely a no-go. Furthermore, inspectors noted that food items like cooked peppers, oil, and chicken were not being kept at the correct temperatures. However, a second inspection on February 21 brought some relief as the restaurant corrected its issues and finally met the health standards.
Pete’s Famous BBQ – A Finger-Licking Mess!
Next on the list is Pete’s Famous BBQ, situated at 4334 Columbia St. This popular BBQ joint was shut down on February 21 due to six violations—four being high priority. Among the infractions, inspectors found an employee working without washing their hands, which can be a major health risk. To make matters worse, the restaurant had issues with running water and food temperatures. Thankfully, by February 24, a follow-up inspection showed that Pete’s cleaned up its act, having only a minor non-high-priority violation remaining.
Gators Riverside Grille – Rodents on the Loose!
Moving on, Gators Riverside Grille at 4255 Peninsula Point in Sanford faced a health scare as well, shutting down on February 18. The restaurant had reported rodent activity, which is something no one wants to find in their dining experience! After a thorough second inspection on February 19, the team at Gators was cleared with no violations, complying with emergency orders.
Cocina Maya Mexican Grill – Bugs and Temperature Troubles!
Cocina Maya Mexican Grill & Mezcaleria, located on 3590 N. U.S. Highway 17-92 in Lake Mary, also caught inspectors’ attention. The restaurant was shut down on February 19 with 12 violations listed, including four severe ones. Among the concerns were roach activity and improper temperature handling of food items. Fortunately, a follow-up check on February 20 found only two minor issues, and the restaurant was back on track.
2 Hermanos Taco Burrito – A Glove and Chemical Mix-Up!
Last but not least, 2 Hermanos Taco Burrito in Oviedo was closed on February 21 after inspectors uncovered twelve violations! This included failing to change single-use gloves and improperly stored chemicals, quite the recipe for disaster! Luckily, a follow-up inspection the very next day showed that only one minor violation remained, which they corrected on-site.
The Bigger Picture
In the greater Central Florida area, Orange County topped the charts for health warnings and complaints with a staggering 35 reported incidents. To give you an idea of how the other counties fared, Brevard followed with 21, Seminole had 20, Volusia came in with 15, Lake had eight, and Osceola only saw four. Clearly, it’s best to check those health scores before heading out for a meal!
Restaurants, A Reminder!
While these closures are unfortunate, they serve as a helpful reminder of the importance of food safety** and the inspection processes in place to protect diners. So when you’re out dining, don’t hesitate to ask about those health scores, and let’s keep our food scene in Central Florida both delicious and safe!
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Additional Resources
- Orlando Sentinel: 6 Central Florida Restaurants Shut Down Last Week
- Wikipedia: Restaurant Inspection
- Click Orlando: Popular Orlando Area Restaurants Closed
- Google Search: Restaurant Health Ratings Orlando
- Fox 35 Orlando: More Orlando Eateries Closing
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Food Safety
- Orlando Weekly: 19 Orlando Restaurants and Bars Closed in 2024
- Google News: Restaurant Closures Orlando
