The State of Florida requires that every food-service operation be registered and licensed with the Florida Department of Business and Regulation. But that hasn't stopped a handful of local eateries from skirting state practices and operating entirely off the grid. But don't worry, intrepid eaters: Leave it to our FDBR homeboys to swoop in to the rescue. Health inspectors were there to put the kibosh on three unlicensed eateries in the past week, including one joint serving roadside barbecue and a Latin chicken kitchen.
Full details on this week's health inspection closures after the cut.
Andres BBQ
Ellen Dale Road and South Dixie Highway, Stuart
Looks like an unlicensed smoker operating on the corner of Ellen Dale Road and South Dixie Highway in Stuart was shut down by inspectors this past Friday. Few details exist since the food vendor lacked the proper licenses to operate. But it does appear Andres's Mobile BBQ has since applied for a license.
Destin Gourmet
575 Shore Drive, Miramar
Looks like Andres and the Destin Gourmet had the same plan. Inspectors shut down the food operation on Friday, and the restaurant has since applied for a license, which is pending review.
El Pollo Pancho
3401 W. San Salvador St., Lantana
Inspectors popped El Pollo Pancho in Lantana for operating without a proper food license. The illegal business was nabbed on Friday. Unlike Destin Gourmet and Andres's Mobile, El Pollo Pancho has no application records listed as of yet.
Thai Garden Restaurant
125 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach
An inspection on September 7 found a bunch of egregious food safety errors such as perishable foods like eggs being held at 60 degrees, hot foods held under the proper temperature, unsanitary cooking practices, and food residue soiling the coolers. But it was the live and dead roaches found scattered throughout the restaurant along with plenty of rodent droppings that forced inspectors' hands in shutting the place down. A follow-up report a day later showed Thai Garden's problems resolved. The restaurant has since reopened.
Nate's
2400 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
Looks like no one told Nate's in Fort Lauderdale that it couldn't lease out a nonworking cooler as a Roach Motel. Inspectors found ten live roaches bunking down in a dilapidated reach-in cooler this past Friday but not much else. The restaurant evicted its would-be tenants and reopened for business the following day.
