Two restaurants located within the food court at the Oviedo Mall were forced to temporarily close their doors for multiple days after failing food health inspections, one of which uncovered dozens of roaches.
Teque Tata and Mediterranean Gourmet were forced to close on Thursday, August 10, and Friday, August 11, after the restaurants both failed health inspections conducted by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
During the first inspection at Mediterranean Gourmet on August 10, the inspector issued a stop sale for chick peas after they were found sitting in a pan under a handwash sink with “dripping waste water” falling into the pan. Additionally, at least 10 roaches were found during the inspection, including six found around the food preparation table.
During an inspection of Teque Tata on the same day, the inspector cited 11 health code violations, including 3 considered high priority. Among those violations was the presence of roaches, as evidenced by three dozen roaches found all around the facility.
The restaurants were both reinspected twice the following day, August 11, and both failed the first of those follow-up inspections.
During the second inspection at Mediterranean Grill, at least ten live roaches were found on a cooler. Additionally, at least 21 dead roaches were found around the kitchen.
In the follow-up inspection at Teque Tata, similar issues were cited, including the presence of eight live roaches. Teque Tata was permitted to reopen after a third inspection was conducted over the two days. During that inspection, only four remaining violations were cited.
During the third inspection of Mediterranean Grill, however, the restaurant was kept closed after more live and dead roaches were found. The restaurant was reinspected for a fourth time in two days and was permitted to reopen on August 11 after only four violations remained.