Inspectors Close Florida Buffet – What They Found Will Gross You Out

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If you’re a fan of buffets, you probably know the appeal: endless options, multiple courses, and one fixed price. It’s no wonder so many Floridians flock to places like Duff’s in Clearwater, a well-known buffet spot that’s been serving up everything from ham and roast beef to Mexican and Italian dishes. But recently, Duff’s found itself in hot water after a state inspection led to a temporary shutdown. So, what exactly happened?

What’s the Story with Duff’s Buffet?

Duff’s is a pretty popular spot in Clearwater, located at 26111 US Highway 19 North. According to their website, they offer a little bit of everything – brunch, lunch, and dinner with a variety of options like carved meats, sides, salads, and even dessert. They pride themselves on keeping their buffet tables filled with fresh, clean food.

So, What Went Down During the Inspection?

On September 11, 2024, inspectors from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation paid a visit, and let’s just say they weren’t impressed. They found a total of 17 violations! Here are some of the highlights:

• Basic Violations: The inspectors noticed an “accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” inside the ice machine, cutting boards that couldn’t be properly cleaned, dead roaches, and even some food stored directly on the floor. There were also issues with a soiled floor, a hole in the wall, and a dirty fan in the walk-in cooler.
• Intermediate Violation: One issue that stood out was that the handwash sink wasn’t available to employees at all times – a big no-no in the food industry.
• High-Priority Violations: These were the more serious problems. Inspectors found live roaches, and several cold food items like sour cream, lettuce, and whipped cream weren’t being kept at safe temperatures. This resulted in a stop-sale order, meaning those items had to be thrown out.

Because of these issues, Duff’s was temporarily shut down. But after two follow-up inspections on September 12, the restaurant managed to clean up its act. They still had three violations, but none of them were considered an immediate threat to public health, so Duff’s was allowed to reopen.

If you’re planning a visit, don’t worry – they’re back in business, and hopefully, they’ll stay on top of things this time around!