Guaca‑Mole is racking up mall closures faster than lunchtime orders. The Tex‑Mex chain’s Dadeland Mall food court counter was ordered shut after a Feb. 3 inspection uncovered what regulators described as heavy pest activity along with multiple sanitation lapses. The closure came roughly a week after a separate Guaca‑Mole at Westland Mall in Hialeah was also shut down, making this the chain’s second Miami‑area mall closure in about two weeks. Inspectors flagged roach droppings and flies among the problems that led to the Dadeland order.
What Inspectors Found At Dadeland Mall
According to the inspection summary, the Dadeland outlet failed with 15 violations, several of them labeled high priority, and was temporarily closed until corrections were made. The report cited about 20 roach droppings on a wall behind a dry‑goods storage rack, cutting boards so deeply scored they were considered uncleanable, and flying insects landing on cutting boards and clean dishes. Those findings appear in public inspection records and in media coverage by Local 10.
Dirty Sinks, Cardboard Shelving And More
Inspectors also raised red flags about basic handwashing. One sink near the front counter had soap available but food debris in the basin. Another sink, located by the three‑compartment washing station, did not have soap at all, according to the report. Food shelves were lined with cardboard, and several walls and ceiling tiles were noted as soiled with grease, dust or mold‑like substances. These details are listed in the inspection paperwork and were reported by the Miami Herald.
Earlier Hialeah Shutdown Tied To Water Problems
The Dadeland issues came on the heels of trouble in Hialeah. A separate Guaca‑Mole at Westland Mall was temporarily closed on Jan. 29 after inspectors found there was no potable running water, along with other high‑priority violations. "Operations ordered stopped until violations are corrected," the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation inspection detail states.
Chain Footprint And Food Court Risks
On its own locations page, Guaca‑Mole lists counters at several South Florida malls, including Dadeland, Miami International Mall in Doral and Westland Mall in Hialeah. With such a mall‑heavy footprint, problems at a single counter can quickly ripple along a food court corridor. The company posts its locations online at Guaca‑Mole's site.
How To Check Inspection Records
For diners who want to see how their favorite spots are doing, the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation runs a public “View Food & Lodging Inspections” portal that lists recent inspections and follow‑up visits. The agency posts inspection details and closure orders by business name or address on its site, which serves as the official record of enforcement actions. The portal is available through the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation.
