Miami-Dade County, Florida — State health inspectors uncovered a series of disturbing food safety violations during recent restaurant inspections across South Florida, with findings ranging from live roaches inside a container of rice to rodent droppings, fly-infested food, mold buildup, and a sewage backup in a food preparation area. Several restaurants were temporarily ordered to close until the violations were corrected.
According to inspection reports, all of the affected businesses later reopened after completing corrective actions and passing re-inspections.
Live Roaches Found Inside Rice at Hialeah Restaurant
Among the most serious findings was at Las Delicias Restaurant in Hialeah, which was ordered shut on July 24 after inspectors documented 18 health violations.
Inspectors issued a Stop Sale order after discovering approximately three live roaches inside a rice container in the kitchen.
The inspection also noted additional live roaches beneath a chest freezer, dead roaches on food preparation surfaces, and black and green mold-like buildup inside the ice machine.
Health officials also cited the restaurant for storing raw pork inside a mop sink area, as well as multiple food items—including cooked pork, rice, beans, chicken soup, chicken wings, yuca, and ground beef—being held at unsafe temperatures.
Inspectors further reported that no certified food service manager was on duty despite multiple employees handling food.
Rodent Droppings and Dead Roaches Found at Kelly’s Cajun Grill
Just days earlier, Kelly’s Cajun Grill in Hialeah was ordered shut on July 20 after inspectors identified 23 violations. The report described rodent activity, with multiple rodent droppings found beneath a food preparation table.
Inspectors also documented dead roaches inside a reach-in freezer, walk-in cooler, and beneath kitchen equipment, along with mold inside the ice machine.
Additional violations included food stored on dirty containers, improper thawing of raw chicken in standing water, and cold food being held above the required safe temperature.
One employee was also observed returning from the restroom and handling food without washing their hands, according to the inspection report.
Flies Contaminated Food at Popular Sushi Restaurant
At Pubbelly Sushi in Dadeland, inspectors temporarily closed the restaurant on July 20 after finding eight violations.
Health inspectors reported approximately 20 live flies inside a container of potatoes, prompting another Stop Sale order because the food was considered unfit for consumption.
Additional flies were reportedly seen on kitchen equipment, food storage racks, parchment paper boxes, and throughout the kitchen area.
Sewage Backup Forces Subway Closure
A Subway location in Cutler Bay was also ordered shut on July 24 after inspectors found nine violations, including a sewage backup in the food preparation area.
According to the inspection, wastewater backed up through a floor drain whenever water was used at a nearby handwashing sink, creating standing water on the kitchen floor and producing unpleasant odors.
Inspectors also cited mold buildup inside the ice machine and noted that a manager preparing food was not wearing a required hair restraint.
South Miami Business Had No Dishwashing Facilities
Inspectors also temporarily closed Just4Fun in South Miami on July 24 after discovering a critical sanitation issue.
The report stated the establishment had no operational dishwashing facilities, explaining that its triple sink had been removed and no dishwasher was available for properly washing and sanitizing dishes and utensils.
According to the operator, the shopping mall required the removal of the ware-washing equipment and sealed the drain.
While the inspection uncovered serious violations across several restaurants, all of the businesses were permitted to reopen after addressing the issues identified by inspectors and successfully completing follow-up inspections.
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