HOUSTON, TEXAS - JULY 05: A Chick-fil-A restaurant is seen on July 05, 2022 in Houston, Texas. According to an annual survey produced by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), Chick-fil-A has maintained its position as America's favorite restaurant for the eighth straight year in a row. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
This year Chick-fil-A snagged the title ‘America’s favorite restaurant’ for the eighth year in a row, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index. From free food offers to almost legendary service, including climbing down a storm drain for a customer’s cell, people online often praise the chain spot.
But one Chick-fil-A in Miami-Dade doesn’t seem to fit the bill. Florida officials recently ordered this particular restaurant shut after finding 30 health violations.
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation inspected the restaurant based on a complaint. It’s unclear what the complaint said. However, the inspection revealed significant issues with live roaches and flying insects. WPLG Local 10 obtained a copy of the violations found.
“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 2 live roaches crawling on wall by the employees drink area,” the report said. “1 live roach went into the panel strip on the wall located in the employee drink area. Observed 1 live roach crawling on wall of back storage area.”
Additional violations included “live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area.” The inspector also observed flying insects by the hand wash sink, front counter drink section, ice machine, and walls. The number of insects varied between two and fifty plus.
The inspector also found food residue in the preparation sink, food debris buildup on equipment door handles, and “objectionable odors in kitchen area.”
“Garbage not placed in a receptacle for storage until pick up to make the garbage inaccessible to insects and rodents. Observed bags of trash sitting in a box with liquid leaking, located by the back kitchen door marked exit,” the report said. It also said, “Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed stove, deep fryers, grill, and preparation table area soiled.”
According to WPLG Local 10, the 820 North Miami Beach Boulevard location is relatively new. An inspector visited the Chick-fil-A last week. Following the findings, officials ordered the place shut on August 2. WPLG spoke to the location manager about the results.
“All of that was resolved,” the manager said. “We’ll contact you guys as soon as our [public relations] team is ready.”
Records show the department inspector returned on August 3; however, “many of the violations still existed.” So, the location was not allowed to re-open after the first re-inspection. WPLG also reported that the manager or Chick-fil-A PR’s team never reached out to the station with updated commentary.
At this time, it’s unclear if the location remains closed. However, the WPLG reported that “all the places ordered shut have been allowed to re-open following an ordered cleanup and re-inspection.”
