Florida Red Lobster Shut Down After State Inspection

Photo byMike Mozart from Funny YouTube, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Some Floridians are aware that Red Lobster has had some difficulties in Florida in the last couple of months. I've previously written some Red Lobster locations shutting down in the Sunshine State in part because of Reb Lobster's bankruptcy. (The company has recently exited bankruptcy and reorganized.) And now a Red Lobster in St. Petersburg has been temporarily shut down after a state inspection.

About Red Lobster In Florida: This is a home-grown restaurant that got its start in Lakeland, Florida. But from that one store would eventually come 700 stores worldwide. However, there are only around 38 locations left in Florida today.

The location in question, at 6151 34 St North, has been reviewed over 3,000 times and earns 3.9 out of 5 stars. While many were quite complimentary, a reviewer named Virginia noted, in part:

"Really sad experience as we ate at this restaurant this afternoon. We now understand why they are closing. Our server was great and did his best. Seven of us got our meals at different times. Food portions (were) half of what they used to be with prices doubling...(The) condition of (the) restrooms (was) a disgrace. Toilets with green corroded fixtures, dirty."

What Happened At Inspection?: According to data from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, an inspection occurred on September 10, 2024. At that time, 5 violations were noted.

A basic violation came because a pipe behind the hand sink in the kitchen area was disconnected and draining onto the floor. And an intermediate violation came because the handwash sink was not accessible to employees at all times.

Examples of high-priority violations were the observation of dozens of live flying insects, the observation of "heavy fly excrement," and a dish machine that had a heat strip that tested under 160 degrees, necessitating manual sanitation until repair.

As a result of some of the above violations, the restaurant was temporarily shut down.

After two follow-up inspections on September 11th, the restaurant "met inspection standards" and was free to reopen.

Please note that an inspection is one moment in time and not necessarily how a restaurant conducts itself every day.