Pompano Beach, Florida — A South Florida restaurant has been ordered shut down after inspectors found a dead rodent and more than 250 rodent droppings throughout the kitchen, marking the third time the establishment has faced a shutdown tied to pest problems.

Au Bon Gout Take Out Restaurant, located at 5273 North Dixie Highway in Pompano Beach, was ordered closed Sept. 15 after inspectors documented 15 violations. The restaurant had previously been ordered shut in 2024 and 2018 for roach-related problems.

The latest inspection found evidence of extensive rodent activity, including droppings inside an oven, on floors, inside pots and around refrigeration equipment.

Hundreds of Rodent Droppings Found

Inspectors documented approximately 100 rodent droppings inside the oven in the kitchen.

Another 75 droppings were found scattered across floors in the cooking and preparation areas. Inspectors also reported about 75 additional droppings inside clean pots, on paper bags and cardboard boxes, and around reach-in coolers.

More droppings were found inside the walk-in cooler and on top of a microwave. Inspectors also found one dead rodent behind the oven at the kitchen cook line.

The findings resulted in an immediate shutdown while the restaurant was required to address the violations and undergo a follow-up inspection before reopening.

Other South Florida Restaurants Also Ordered Shut

Au Bon Gout was not the only restaurant facing serious violations during recent inspections.

In Miami, China Express at 5301 NE 2nd Avenue was ordered shut Sept. 16 following a complaint. Inspectors found 27 violations, including multiple areas containing rodent droppings.

Approximately 20 droppings were found beneath an air-conditioning unit, another 20 were found near the back exit hallway, and additional droppings were discovered near storage areas.

A follow-up inspection the next day still found approximately 20 droppings under the AC unit, seven near the back exit hallway and three beneath storage near the hallway bathroom.

The inspection also found food-safety violations involving handwashing, food temperatures and food storage.

Pita Fresh Cited Over Dangerous Food Temperatures

At Pita Fresh in Kendall, inspectors ordered the restaurant shut Sept. 16 after finding 13 violations. The most serious issue involved refrigeration equipment that was unable to keep potentially hazardous foods cold enough.

Inspectors found a walk-in cooler with an ambient temperature of 49 degrees Fahrenheit, while a separate cooler reached 68 degrees.

Raw chicken, tomatoes, tzatziki, shredded lettuce, gyro meat, chickpeas, hummus and other foods were found above the required cold-holding temperature.

A stop-sale was issued for food affected by the temperature abuse.

Pizzapiez Had Rodent Droppings in Kitchen

In Deerfield Beach, Pizzapiez at 614 SE 10th Street was ordered shut Sept. 15 after inspectors found 12 violations.

Inspectors reported rodent droppings on a package of pasta, on a box of single-service containers and approximately 15 more droppings around the walk-in cooler, storage racks and preparation tables.

The inspection also found problems involving dirty equipment surfaces and a lack of soap at a handwashing sink.

Flying Insects Found at Other Locations

Pest problems were not limited to rodents.

At CT Cantina and Taqueria in Dania Beach, inspectors found numerous small flying insects around tortillas, onions, dishwashing areas and the dining room. The restaurant was ordered shut Sept. 16 after 14 violations.

Inspectors also documented food-cooling problems, temperature abuse, standing water and handwashing violations.

Meanwhile, Vale Food Company in Fort Lauderdale was ordered shut Sept. 15 after inspectors found approximately 50 small flying insects around its bar area and additional insects near food-service and storage areas.

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Riverside Market in Plantation was also ordered shut Sept. 9 after inspectors reported approximately 50 small flying insects around the bar, including near beer taps, countertops and clean cups.

Restaurants Allowed to Reopen After Cleanup

The shutdowns were temporary emergency measures requiring the businesses to correct the documented violations and undergo re-inspection.

The restaurants mentioned in the inspection reports were allowed to reopen after completing required cleanup and corrective measures and passing follow-up inspections.

The findings highlight the importance of pest control, proper food storage, adequate refrigeration and basic sanitation in commercial kitchens.

For customers, the inspections also show how quickly serious sanitation problems can become a public-health concern when pests, contaminated surfaces or improperly stored food are found inside establishments.

Would you still eat at a restaurant after learning it had been temporarily shut down for rodent or insect problems? Share your thoughts in the comments.