Loon Fong Vietnamese Restaurant, located at 8150 N 49 St in Pinellas Park, Florida, has been directed to close its doors following a comprehensive inspection revealing 32 violations on August 7, 2024, and a series of other failed reviews.
After the initial inspection, state records revealed that subsequent evaluations saw a slight improvement, with 23 violations identified during a follow-up inspection on August 8, 2024, and 21 violations during a second emergency callback later that same day.
Additional inspections on August 9, 10, and 12 found persistent issues, with 20 violations still observed, and the Pinellas County restaurant has been ordered to stay closed.
Notably, Loon Fong Vietnamese Restaurant has faced closure at least five times since December 14, 2017, indicating a troubling pattern of health and safety infractions.
What Happened During Recent Inspections
The inspection on August 7 highlighted eight high-priority violations, 14 intermediate violations, and 19 basic violations.
Among the paramount infractions were serious concerns regarding hygiene and food safety. Live and dead insects, including roaches and flies, were found throughout the kitchen, with roach droppings reported in excessive amounts across various areas, including food storage spaces.
Temperature control violations also raised notices, as items like fresh garlic and oil registered at unsafe holding temperatures, while raw animal foods were stored wrongly over ready-to-eat items, posing a significant risk of cross-contamination.
Additional Violations Discovered
Intermediate violations focused on the lack of written procedures for managing health emergencies, as well as inadequate date marking for food items stored for more than 24 hours.
Additionally, employees violated hygiene protocols by not properly washing hands before handling food, a recurring concern noted in previous inspections.
Meanwhile, basic violations further illustrated a pattern of neglect, including a buildup of mold in the ice machine, expired food licenses, and unsuitable food storage conditions, such as unwashed produce stored with cooked items.
A significant number of these violations were classified as repeat offenses, underscoring persistent noncompliance with health regulations.
With a current 4.0-star rating from 288 Google reviews, Loon Fong restaurant continues to attract customers despite its ongoing issues. As inspectors await improvements, the Pinellas County restaurant’s commitment to compliance with health standards will greatly impact its ability to welcome diners back safely.
Questions for Patrons:
Pinellas County residents, how important are health inspection ratings to you when choosing where to eat?
What measures do you think restaurants should take to ensure food safety and cleanliness?
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