Royal Sushi Buffet in Port Richey, FL, was closed down for a 4th time - Pasco County

Chinese Buffet RestaurantPhoto byRoyal Sushi Buffet / Facebook

Royal Sushi Buffet in Port Richey, Florida, has struggled with inspection issues, and a recent evaluation by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation revealed no significant improvements.

The Pasco County restaurant, located at 9550 Us Hwy 19 Ste # 1 in Port Richey, was closed down temporarily on July 31. This marks the restaurant's third closure in 2024, following similar incidents in July and May. It was the restaurant's fourth closure overall, with the facility being temporarily closed on November 16, 2023.

This is What Happened In The Recent Inspection

The latest inspection on July 31, 2024, led to an emergency closure due to several violations, highlighting ongoing challenges for the buffet known for its all-you-can-eat offerings and vegetarian dishes.

The initial inspection, which originated from a complaint at Royal Sushi Buffet, revealed eight violations, including a pair of high-priority issues such as unsuitable storage of raw animal food and significant roach activity.

Inspectors noted live roaches in various areas, including the dining room and kitchen, and repeat violations were cited.

Intermediate violations involved soiled food-contact surfaces and blocked handwash sinks, while basic violations included dead roaches, employee beverages on food preparation tables, and equipment in disrepair.

Follow-up Inspections Cleared The Restaurant

However, a second follow-up inspection on August 1 allowed the restaurant to reopen after addressing the most pressing concerns.

The Royal Sushi Buffet, located in the Embassy Crossing Shopping Center, holds a 3.9-star rating from 2,178 Google reviews. Despite its challenges, the restaurant remains a popular choice among locals, offering a wide array of dishes from sushi to crab Rangoon.

A customer named Mike Swanson, a local guide, shared in a recent comment on Google Review:

Favorite all you can eat sushi buffet. Reasonable prices and great selection

However, the recent inspections underpin the importance of maintaining consistent health and safety standards to ensure a pleasant dining experience for patrons.

As Royal Sushi Buffet moves forward, it will need to focus on consistent compliance with health regulations to restore confidence and continue serving the Port Richey community.