State inspectors temporarily closed four South Florida restaurants last week after finding what they described as active roach infestations, swarms of flies, mold and serious time-and-temperature violations. The shutdowns hit Tijuana Flats in Coral Springs, Iron Sushi in Dadeland, La Jato in Hialeah and Los Catrachos in Miami. All four were later allowed to reopen, but only after cleanups and passing follow-up inspections.
What inspectors found
Inspection reports detail live and dead roaches in ware-washing and prep areas, roughly 30 flies landing on clean food equipment, mold inside ice machines and multiple ready-to-eat foods held above 41°F. Those issues triggered stop-sale orders or emergency closures on the spot.
Tijuana Flats in Coral Springs and La Jato in Hialeah were cited for roach activity and cold-holding failures. Los Catrachos drew violations for unsanitized utensils and improper handwashing. Iron Sushi was written up for flying insects and damaged refrigeration insulation, according to Local 10.
Iron Sushi's repeat shutdowns
State inspection logs show the Dadeland Iron Sushi has been ordered closed multiple times since July 2025 and has needed several re-inspections before getting the green light to reopen. The state’s licensing portal lists multiple “facility temporarily closed” entries and follow-up visits for the same address, suggesting a pattern of recurring pest and sanitation problems. Those records are publicly available on the state inspection portal for anyone who wants to dig into the details.
A regional pattern
Inspectors and local reporting say these latest closures are part of a broader spring bump in emergency shutdowns across South Florida tied to pests and failing refrigeration. A recent late-April closure roundup from Hoodline highlighted similar problems in other kitchens and points readers back to the Division of Hotels & Restaurants’ weekly reports for the bigger picture.
How to check a restaurant's status
Restaurants that get shut down are allowed to reopen only after inspectors order a cleanup and the business passes a re-inspection. Those follow-up reports are also published by the state.
Diners can use the Division of Hotels & Restaurants’ online inspection search to look up recent inspections, closure orders and re-inspection results for any licensed spot. The division has authority under state law to issue emergency closures when conditions pose an immediate threat to public health, and repeat failures can result in administrative penalties or tighter oversight.
