Record Violations and Rodent Activity Trigger Miami-Dade Restaurant Closures

A Kendall restaurant faces 70 violations in a massive Miami-Dade health inspection failure involving rodents, roaches, and severe sanitation breaches.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 6, 2026, 11:13 AM EDT

Source: Miami Herald

The Kendall Health Crisis: Peking One

The most significant failure occurred at Peking One, located on Southwest 88th Street in Kendall. During a routine inspection, the facility was cited for 70 separate violations, 12 of which were classified as high priority. Inspectors documented a male employee working the cookline with a "persistent cough" who allegedly touched clean utensils immediately after coughing. The sanitary conditions were further compromised by the discovery of 40 rodent droppings and 30 roach droppings inside a walk-in cooler used for storing single-service items.

The inspection report painted a grim picture of the facility’s infrastructure. The employee restroom was described as being in complete disrepair with a non-functioning toilet and no toilet paper. Heavy accumulations of grease and grime were found on kitchen floors, and bags of sugar were stored directly on these soiled surfaces. Despite a follow-up inspection where violations were reduced to 66, the restaurant remained closed until late in the week when it finally met the minimum standards to reopen.

Massive Pork Disposal at Mesa’s BBQ

In Hialeah, Mesa’s BBQ recorded 46 violations, including the discovery of black and green mold-like substances inside the ice machine. The most critical safety breach involved 200 pounds of pre-cooked pork belly that had not been heated to the required 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, cooked pork stored overnight was found at 53 degrees, significantly higher than the maximum safety threshold of 41 degrees.

Inspectors also noted severe fly activity, with a dozen flies flitting near and inside the orange juice machine. The facility faced criticism for using soiled cardboard as floor mats and storing clean knives in cracks between walls and equipment. The accumulation of standing water and the use of non-food-grade materials for food preparation further contributed to the temporary closure of the Hialeah establishment.