Orlando, September 10, 2025
News Summary
In response to routine health inspections, 13 restaurants across Central Florida were temporarily closed due to multiple health violations, including pest infestations and improper food storage. Specifically, three restaurants in Orlando were cited for the presence of cockroaches. After addressing the violations, the Orlando locations were allowed to reopen before the week’s end. Local health departments emphasize these closures ensure public health safety, allowing establishments to rectify issues that pose risks of foodborne illness.
Orlando
Thirteen Central Florida restaurants were temporarily closed following routine health inspections conducted between September 1 and September 7, 2025. Inspectors documented multiple health and sanitation violations, including the presence of cockroaches, improper food storage, and rodent droppings. Local health departments ordered immediate closures until corrective actions were completed and standards were met.
What happened
The inspections led to temporary closures across Central Florida, affecting establishments in Clearwater, Davenport, Indialantic, Lakeland, Melbourne, Orlando, Plant City, St. Petersburg, and Winter Haven. Three of the closed restaurants were located in Orlando: China Garden on Colonial Drive, East Garden on Colonial Drive, and Saigon Noodle and Grill on Washington Street. Cockroaches were reported in all three Orlando locations during the inspections.
All three Orlando restaurants completed follow-up inspections and were allowed to reopen before the end of the week after addressing the cited violations. China Garden required multiple follow-up visits due to recurring cockroach issues before inspectors determined the problems had been sufficiently corrected.
Key violations and public health concerns
Health inspection reports cited several recurring problems among the closed establishments, including:
- Pest infestations (cockroaches were specifically reported in multiple locations)
- Rodent droppings found in storage or preparation areas
- Improper food storage, including temperature control and cross-contamination risks
- Other sanitation and facility maintenance issues that increase the risk of foodborne illness
In each case, closure orders were issued to prevent ongoing public health risks until facilities corrected deficiencies and passed follow-up inspections performed by health department staff.
Follow-up inspections and reopening
Health departments conducted follow-up visits after establishments reported corrective actions. Restaurants that met inspection standards were permitted to reopen. In the most recent week, the three Orlando locations completed the required corrective measures and were cleared to resume operations. A previous set of inspections between August 18 and August 24, 2025 had resulted in temporary closures of six other restaurants; those sites were also allowed to reopen after passing follow-up inspections.
Locations affected
The closures between September 1 and 7 covered 13 restaurants located across several Central Florida communities. While full names for all 13 establishments were not provided in the inspection summary, the affected cities include:
- Clearwater
- Davenport
- Indialantic
- Lakeland
- Melbourne
- Orlando (three restaurants named above)
- Plant City
- St. Petersburg
- Winter Haven
What this means for customers
Temporary closures are a standard public health measure intended to protect consumers by ensuring facilities correct problems that could cause foodborne illness or spread pests. Establishments that comply with remediation requirements and pass follow-up inspections are allowed to reopen. Customers concerned about a specific restaurant’s inspection history are advised to consult their local health department’s inspection records or contact health department staff for the most current information.
Background on inspection procedures
Local health departments routinely inspect food service facilities to enforce sanitation and food-safety regulations. Inspections can be unannounced and result in graded findings. When inspectors identify severe or imminent health hazards—such as active pest infestations or conditions likely to contaminate food—facilities can be ordered to close until problems are corrected and documented through follow-up inspections.
FAQ
- Which restaurants were closed?
- Thirteen restaurants across Central Florida were temporarily closed after inspections between September 1 and September 7, 2025. Three named Orlando locations were China Garden (Colonial Drive), East Garden (Colonial Drive), and Saigon Noodle and Grill (Washington Street). Other affected establishments were located in Clearwater, Davenport, Indialantic, Lakeland, Melbourne, Plant City, St. Petersburg, and Winter Haven.
- What were the main violations?
- Inspectors reported pest infestations (including cockroaches), rodent droppings, improper food storage, and other sanitation and maintenance issues that can increase the risk of foodborne illness.
- How long do closures last?
- Closures remain in effect until the facility corrects the violations and passes a follow-up inspection. The time required varies depending on the severity of the problems and how quickly the business implements corrective measures.
- Were the restaurants allowed to reopen?
- Yes. All three Orlando restaurants passed follow-up inspections and were allowed to reopen before the week ended. The six restaurants closed in August were also permitted to reopen after meeting standards during follow-up visits.
- Where can I find inspection records?
- Inspection reports and current facility status are maintained by local health departments. Members of the public can request or review those records through the appropriate county or city health department.
Quick facts chart
| Metric | Count / Detail |
|---|---|
| Total restaurants temporarily closed | 13 |
| Timeframe | September 1–7, 2025 |
| Primary violations cited | Cockroaches, rodent droppings, improper food storage, sanitation issues |
| Orlando restaurants named | China Garden; East Garden; Saigon Noodle and Grill |
| Orlando closures reopened | All three passed follow-up inspections and reopened |
| Related closures in August | Six restaurants closed Aug 18–24; all reopened after corrections |
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Additional Resources
- Click Orlando: Cockroaches forced these 3 Orlando restaurants to shut down last week
- Orlando Sentinel: 7 Central Florida restaurants shut down last week
- WFTV: Popular Winter Park restaurant temporarily closed over rodents, insects, other health violations
- WESH: Popular Winter Park restaurant temporarily closes
- Orlando Sentinel: Clean bills of health—Which Central Florida restaurants had perfect inspections in July
- Wikipedia: Health Inspection
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Food Safety
- Google Search: Restaurant Health Inspection Florida
- Google Scholar: Food Borne Illness
- Google News: Restaurant Health Violations
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
