Miami-Dade County, FL's IHOP restaurant cited for 14 violations

IHOP french toastPhoto byCrystal JoonUnsplash

IHOP at 18860 S Dixie Hwy in Miami, Miami-Dade County, received an administrative complaint that required a follow-up visit following a routine inspection by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation on July 26.

What Happened During The Inspection: The popular breakfast chain, known for its wide variety of pancakes and American diner fare, was cited for 14 violations, including 2 high-priority infractions.

A follow-up inspection conducted on July 29 saw IHOP meeting inspection standards without violations.

The inspection revealed considerable temperature control issues, with numerous time/temperature control for safety foods held at temperatures exceeding 41°F. Items such as jack cheese blend (48°F), cheddar cheese (55°F), and roasted tomatoes (52°F) were among those improperly cold-held.

This violation, marked as a repeat offense, prompted immediate corrective action with staff placing affected items in ice baths.

Another high-priority violation involved an employee beginning food preparation without proper handwashing. The inspector observed a server scooping butter without first washing their hands after coming from the dining area.

Meanwhile, intermediate violations included a handwash sink being used for purposes other than handwashing and a lack of soap at another handwashing station.

Basic violations ranged from improper food thawing methods to issues with ceiling cleanliness and equipment maintenance.

Despite these infractions, IHOP maintains a 3.6-star rating from 2,325 Google reviews. Local patrons, such as Cynthia Rodriguez, continue to praise the restaurant's food quality, highlighting popular items like the breakfast sampler and salmon dishes.

Cynthia Rodriguez shared in a Google Review:

Usually there’s a wait to be seated but the food is always delicious. My nephew loves to get the breakfast sampler and upgrade his pancakes to whatever flavor he feels that week. My mom gets the salmon with veggies and fries and always enjoys it!

NOTE: Please note that an inspection report, per the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, provides a snapshot of the conditions observed during the inspection.