A mobile pizzeria in Tampa was shut down by Florida health inspectors after the discovery of over 100 live cockroaches, amidst a wave of closures that affected 14 restaurants and food trucks between July 13 and July 19 in the Central Florida region.
According to ClickOrlando, which cited state inspection records, the closures were related to infestations of cockroaches and rodents, improper food storage, lack of potable water, deficiencies in disinfection systems, and violations of time and temperature control.
Almost all establishments managed to reopen after addressing the irregularities. However, some still required follow-up inspections, and one remained explicitly closed as of July 21.
One of the most shocking cases was that of Farandulero Pizzeria, a food truck located at 9743 W. Hillsborough Ave., in Tampa, which was shut down a week ago.
The inspectors found more than 100 live cockroaches, mainly inside the cabinet located under the three-compartment sink. They also documented over 20 dead cockroaches, insect droppings, four cockroach eggs, and nine live insects similar to flies.
In addition, two bags of tamales were stored inside shopping bags that were not suitable for containing food and had been placed in a refrigerator with immediate access. The establishment remained closed last Tuesday.
Also in Tampa, the Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, located at 4006 W. Hillsborough Ave., was closed on the 14th after inspectors found five dead cockroaches and 13 live ones, five of which were caught in sticky traps.
The restaurant met the standards and was able to reopen the following day.
NY NY Pizza, located at 1512 E. 7 Ave., was closed on the 16th after a live fly was detected on the service counter and 15 rodent droppings were found, primarily behind the beverage station.
The inspectors also noted that several pizzas did not have marked the time during which they could remain exposed and that the quaternary ammonium disinfectant used for the manual washing of utensils did not reach the minimum required concentration. The business reopened the following day.
In Altamonte Springs, 2 Hermanos Tacos & Burrito, located at 451 E. Altamonte Drive, was closed last Wednesday. Inside the establishment, five dead cockroaches and more than 20 live ones were found. The restaurant met health standards two days later.
In Clearwater, Nautical Brews Pizza, located at 2481 N. McMullen Booth Road, closed on July 15 after inspectors found two dead cockroaches under the three-compartment sink and over 120 rodent droppings on the premises.
The dishwasher also did not have the minimum concentration of chlorine necessary for proper disinfection. The establishment was authorized to reopen two days later.
Two businesses were closed in Clermont. Crooked Spoon Gastropub, located at 200 Citrus Tower Blvd., shut down on July 15 after five dead cockroaches and four live ones were found in the dry storage area, beneath a shelf with canned goods.
The operator was already aware of the issue and had requested the intervention of a pest control company. Inspectors also found nine cockroach droppings beneath the shelf and time violations related to sweet onion jam, SoCo wing sauce, and bourbon cream. The restaurant reopened last Friday.
The Papa John’s Pizza located at 4420 S. Hwy. 27 was also closed on the 15th. Two dead cockroaches were found inside a pest control device installed in the water heater closet.
In that same area, a dead mouse was found in a trap along with 20 rodent droppings. The establishment required a follow-up inspection.
In Edgewater, Jan & Lib’s Hi-Tops Lounge, located at 319 N. Ridgewood Ave., was closed on July 13.
The inspectors found steaks stored on top of beer inside a cold storage room and approximately 40 rodent droppings in the establishment. The business met standards the following day.
In Lady Lake, Latin Flavors Bar and Grill, located at 13769 N. US Hwy. 441, was shut down on the 14th after more than 80 dead cockroaches, an egg capsule, and eight live cockroaches were found.
There were also cockroach droppings in the joint and hinge of a white freezer. The inspectors also detected violations of timing and temperature in cooked pork, refried beans, and cooked rice. The restaurant reopened two days later.
In Melbourne, the food truck Las Comays Lonchera, located at 5559 N. Wickham Road, was shut down on July 14 for operating without running potable water.
Violations of time and temperature were also documented in pasta salad, sauce, cut melon, cooked rice, cooked pork, and cooked black beans. The establishment met sanitary requirements two days later.
In Orlando, Uncle Dieu’s, a food truck located at 9318 E. Colonial Drive, was shut down on July 16. Inspectors found two dead cockroaches and eight live ones, along with temperature violations in shelled eggs and sliced American cheese.
A window cleaner was stored next to the soy sauce and the kitchen, while the raw eggs had been placed on top of the cheese inside a refrigerator.
The owner was also seen handling scallions with bare hands. Additionally, there was a leak in the drinking water tank that created standing water beneath the container and spilled onto the ground. The metal thermometer used to measure food temperature was dirty. The truck reopened last Saturday.
In Sanford, Colorado’s Prime Steak, located at 3863 S. Orlando Drive, closed a week ago. Three dead cockroaches and 17 live ones were found in the establishment. Additionally, the business was operating with an expired license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. It was authorized to reopen on Friday.
Mel’s Family Diner, located at 3221 S. Orlando Drive, also in Sanford, was shut down on July 15 after 17 rodent droppings and bite marks were found on two potatoes inside a bag.
The restaurant was operating with an expired license, its dishwasher did not have the minimum concentration of chlorine, and there was a missing backflow valve in a hose connection. This establishment also required a follow-up inspection.
In St. Petersburg, Hungry Howie’s Pizza and Subs, located at 6570 Central Ave., closed a week ago. Inspectors found a dead cockroach and eight rodent droppings.
The operator was aware of the presence of rodents, had set traps, and hired an exterminator. However, it was also observed that he handled a cell phone and then continued to prepare food without changing his gloves or washing his hands. The business reopened last Friday.
In total, the state records collected by ClickOrlando show that 14 establishments were closed, at least temporarily, due to conditions that could pose risks to consumers.
Most were able to correct the irregularities and reopen in just a few days. Farandulero Pizzeria, where the highest number of live cockroaches was recorded among the businesses on the list, remained explicitly closed as of July 21.
Closures due to pest infestations are common in Florida. In January of this year, Soriano Brothers Cuban Cuisine in Palmetto Bay was shut down for 26 health code violations, which included live insects in preparation areas.
In May 2025, Tehillah Garden Restaurant in Pembroke Pines was closed after more than 90 cockroaches were found in its kitchen.
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