Inspectors ordered La Union Restaurant in Margate closed on October 5 after finding live roaches, flying insects, a strong urine odor and 44 violations. The restaurant is at Sun Plaza, 998 South State Road 7. It is not connected to La Union Bakery.
The most serious findings involved the dishwashing area. Inspectors reported live roaches crawling on walls and shelves around the three-compartment sink, along with several dead roaches and a buildup of droppings. Flying insects landed on both dirty and clean dishes, and they also appeared on dining room walls near a large puddle of standing water.
Inspectors also found a black or green mold-like substance inside the ice machine. Several food items were held above the required 41 degrees, and the county issued stop-sale orders for them. Raw chicken was thawing at room temperature and stored on the floor in a bucket. Raw eggs were stored above cooked plantains, and raw chicken sat above raw steak. The restaurant corrected the storage problems during the inspection.
The sink initially lacked adequately hot water until the operator relit the water heater. Inspectors also noted heavy grease on cooking equipment, damaged floor tiles holding standing water, a urine odor in a restroom and standing water in the customer dining area.
The restaurant remains closed pending corrective action and a follow-up inspection.
