Mexican bar closed for the 4th time in Florida over roaches and food storage issues

Photo byGoogle Reviews

In a recent development that's both disappointing and familiar, Habanero's Mexican Grill, a beloved Mexican eatery near UCF’s campus, was recently closed down temporarily following a state inspection. This marks the fourth time the popular restaurant has faced a shutdown, sparking concern among its many fans.

Habanero's, known for its festive atmosphere and mouthwatering Mexican fare, has been a hit with locals and students alike. With thousands of reviews on Google, the restaurant boasts an impressive 4.1-star rating. One reviewer, HP, raved about them, saying, “Excellent food and service. This is the only place I can seem to get a good chili relleno really. I love birria but would not recommend the tacos only because the meat was a little dry after a few bites. ALL of the enchiladas we've had were fantastic. Everything is seasoned well, which seems to be hard to find with Mexican restaurants in FL for some reason. We live in Brevard but go out to Orlando just to eat here.”

But the latest inspection, conducted on July 9, 2024, revealed some serious issues. According to data from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, inspectors found 13 violations during their visit. Among these were some pretty basic problems, like pork thawing at room temperature and dead roaches with their egg sacks. More alarming were high-priority issues such as live roaches, cold foods like tomatoes and guacamole being stored above safe temperatures, and improper sanitizer levels in the dish machine.

The restaurant was immediately shut down, and many were left wondering how this could happen to such a well-loved spot. However, the good news is that a follow-up inspection on July 10, 2024, showed that all violations had been addressed, allowing Habanero’s to reopen its doors.

This isn’t the first time Habanero’s has faced such a fate. The restaurant has previously been closed in October 2022, August 2022, and February 2022. Each time, it’s managed to bounce back, but with four closures under its belt, it’s clear that maintaining consistency is a challenge for the popular spot.

For now, fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Habanero’s is back in business, and hopefully, it will continue to serve up its celebrated Mexican dishes without further interruptions.