Royal Sushi Buffet in Port Richey, Florida, temporarily closed its doors on July 15 following an inspection by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation.
The initial inspection revealed eight violations, including significant issues with roach activity and live, small flying insects in the kitchen and food preparation areas. This also marks the second closure of the establishment this year, following the facility's shutdown for similar issues on May 8, raising concerns among Pasco County residents about the restaurant's adherence to health and safety standards.
The restaurant had also been temporarily closed for a couple of days, with comparable violations last November.
What Happened During The Recent Inspection:
State records showed that during the first visit on July 15, inspectors cited Royal Sushi Buffet for high-priority violations, including live roaches, with one found on the hinge of a reach-in cooler door and approximately 25 more discovered under the POS system and dish machine.
A fly was also spotted in the kitchen, highlighting the insect infestation problem. The dish machine's chlorine sanitizer was below the proper minimum strength, necessitating manual sanitization until repairs could be made.
Another pressing issue was the lack of time marking on sushi rice, which is essential for maintaining food safety.
Intermediate violations were also noted, such as handwash sinks being obstructed by items like an umbrella and a water pitcher, which the operator promptly removed.
Furthermore, oyster tags were not marked with the last date served, a requirement for tracking and safety purposes.
Basic violations included dead roaches on the premises and nonfood-contact surfaces soiled with grease, food debris, and dust, particularly in the walk-in cooler and on fan guards.
A follow-up inspection on the same day confirmed that management had rectified most of the concerns, excluding three violations that were corrected on-site or given an extension for rectification, allowing the restaurant to meet inspection standards and reopen.
Royal Sushi Buffet, located at 9550 U.S. Hwy 19, Suite 1 in the Embassy Crossing Shopping Center, has a rating of 3.9 stars from 2,168 Google reviews.
Despite recent setbacks, the restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat buffet with vegetarian options and remains a popular choice among locals.
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