Florida Red Lobster Shut Down – What Inspectors Found Inside

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If you’re a seafood lover in Florida, you’ve probably noticed that Red Lobster has had its ups and downs lately. With over 20 locations recently shutting down across the state, things have been a bit shaky for this once-iconic chain. But while it managed to bounce back from bankruptcy, a different problem popped up at the Red Lobster in Fort Pierce, and it’s not about finances – it was temporarily shut down after a state inspection uncovered some concerning issues.

What Went Wrong During the Inspection?

On September 5, 2024, inspectors from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation paid a visit, and things didn’t go so well. They found a total of eight violations. Some were pretty basic, like a cutting board that had seen better days, standing water on the floor, and a handwashing sink that was draining at a snail’s pace. There was also an issue with no paper towels being available at the handwash sink.

But the high-priority violations were more alarming. There was "sewage/wastewater backing up through floor drains," raw shrimp stored over baked potatoes (definitely not where it should be!), and shredded cheese being held at a temperature above the safe 41 degrees.

These violations were enough to temporarily shut down the Fort Pierce Red Lobster. But don’t worry, seafood fans – after a follow-up inspection later that same day, the restaurant managed to clear up most of the issues. While three violations still remained, the place “met inspection standards” and was allowed to reopen.

So, if you’re craving those famous Cheddar Bay biscuits, it looks like this Red Lobster is back in business – just with a little more cleaning up to do!