By Ryan Yousefi
A Lauderhill restaurant has been ordered to shut down after health inspectors discovered signs of a rodent and roach infection.
Wally Caramel Restaurant, located at 4711 Northwest 14th Street, was ordered to close its doors on February 19 after health inspectors from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation uncovered disturbing violations during their latest visit.
In total, Wally Caramel was cited for 13 health code infractions. Among the most concerning findings were clear signs of rodent activity.
Inspectors reported finding rodent droppings in several areas, including by the kitchen water heater, cooking lids stored on dry storage shelves, inside the office located at the front counter away from the kitchen, and behind the chest freezer in the kitchen.
Inspectors also discovered dead roaches in the bathroom located within the kitchen area. The restaurant was also found to be operating without a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants.
Temperature control violations were also a significant issue, with numerous instances of food being held at unsafe temperatures. Examples of violations include cooked goat, marinated fish, and gravy sauce found in a reach-in cooler at temperatures well above the safe threshold of 41 degrees.
Cooked rice, beans, and cooked stew were held below the minimum requirement of 135 degrees.
In addition to the dire health concerns, inspectors cited the restaurant for non-food-contact surfaces being soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime, or dust, and a plumbing system in disrepair at the mop sink, with a faucet that would not open and a clogged sink observed.
A “Stop Sale” was issued upon inspection completion, and the restaurant must address the violations to meet health standards before it can consider reopening.
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