Struggling Chain Restaurant Closes Doors After State Inspection in Florida

Photo byGoogle review

Hey, Florida foodies! If you’re a fan of Tijuana Flats, you might want to brace yourself for some not-so-appetizing news. One of our local Tijuana Flats locations was recently forced to shut its doors temporarily after a state inspection revealed some pretty concerning issues. Let’s dive into what happened and what it means for this popular Florida-based chain.

A Bit About Tijuana Flats

For those who may not be familiar, Tijuana Flats has its roots right here in Florida. The chain was founded by a college student, Brian Wheeler, who decided to dive headfirst into the restaurant business despite having zero experience in the field. With a little help from his dad, Wheeler opened the first Tijuana Flats in Central Florida, and from there, it grew into a chain known for its bold flavors and community involvement.

But lately, Tijuana Flats has been facing some challenges in the Sunshine State. Earlier this year, the chain filed for bankruptcy and several locations closed their doors. Now, it seems like trouble has hit closer to home with a recent incident at their Gainesville location.

The Inspection That Led to a Shutdown

So, what exactly went down? According to data from The Tallahassee Democrat, a state inspection took place on August 26, 2024, and it didn’t go well. The inspection revealed a total of 14 violations, ranging from basic cleanliness issues to more serious health concerns.

Among the basic violations were dead roaches found on the premises, a gap in an exterior door that could allow pests to enter, food stored under unprotected fluorescent bulbs, and dirty water in the sanitizer bucket on the cook line. Not exactly what you want to hear about a place where you grab your favorite tacos.

But it gets worse. There were also intermediate violations, including a buildup on soda nozzles and an employee making bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat food. And to top it off, the inspection uncovered a high-priority violation due to live roaches being found, which is never a good sign.

With all these issues, it’s no surprise that the Gainesville Tijuana Flats had to shut down temporarily. But before you swear off their burritos forever, there’s a bit of good news.

A Clean Bill of Health... For Now

After the initial inspection, the restaurant didn’t waste any time getting its act together. A follow-up inspection took place on August 28th, and this time, the results were much better. The inspector found no violations, which means the restaurant was cleared to reopen its doors.

So, what does this mean for Tijuana Flats fans in Gainesville? Well, it’s a reminder that even our favorite spots can sometimes slip up. The key takeaway here is that the restaurant took the necessary steps to address the issues and get back on track.

While it’s always a bit unsettling to hear about cleanliness issues at a place you love, it’s good to know that the situation has been resolved. If you’re a loyal Tijuana Flats customer, this might just be a small bump in the road. But it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on moving forward.

What do you think? Will this incident change how you feel about dining at Tijuana Flats, or are you willing to give them another shot now that they’ve passed their follow-up inspection? Let’s keep the conversation going!