Florida Cheesecake Factory Shuts Its Doors After State Finds Roaches and Unwashed Vegetables Usage

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If you’re a Floridian craving a slice of cheesecake at one of your favorite spots, you may have been surprised to find the Cheesecake Factory in Boca Raton temporarily closed recently. Yep, one of the most popular spots for a casual bite ran into some trouble after a routine state inspection uncovered quite a few violations.

Now, before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk a bit about the Cheesecake Factory. This chain, which started as a humble bakery, has transformed into a full-on fast-casual dining powerhouse. They’ve got over 250 menu items that have been highly priased by some, with everything from bang bang shrimp to, of course, their famous cheesecakes. The Boca Raton location, which you’ll find at 5530 Glades Road, has earned itself a decent reputation over the years, with a 4.2-star rating on Google based on nearly 5,000 reviews.

So, What Went Down?

On August 26, 2024, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation conducted an inspection that resulted in 15 violations. Unfortunately, some of these were serious enough to get the Boca Raton Cheesecake Factory temporarily shut down.

A few of the violations were more minor, like an exterior door that had a gap leading outside (inviting unwanted guests, maybe?) and utensils being stored in water that wasn’t hot enough to keep things sanitary. There were also issues with raw vegetables not being washed before they were prepared, and wiping cloths that weren’t properly sanitized.

But it’s the more high-priority violations that really caught the inspectors’ attention. Some of the cold foods like salsa, corn, and cheese were stored at temperatures higher than they should’ve been, leading to a stop-sale order on those items. And if that’s not enough to make you cringe, there were dented and rusted cans of marshmallow cream, which were also pulled from sale. Perhaps the most unsettling finding, though, was evidence of live roaches – not exactly the kind of surprise you want with your meal!

A Temporary Setback

As a result of these violations, the restaurant was temporarily shut down to sort things out. However, they didn’t stay closed for long. A follow-up inspection on August 27, 2024, confirmed that the Cheesecake Factory had addressed the issues and “met inspection standards,” allowing them to reopen and welcome back customers.

While this incident may have put a damper on the Boca Raton location’s reputation for a bit, it’s important to remember that inspections like these are meant to ensure that restaurants are up to code and safe for everyone. The Cheesecake Factory has a long history of serving up good food, and with these issues resolved, it looks like they’ll be back on track. For regulars and newcomers alike, it might be a good idea to check things out now that the restaurant has made improvements.

So, if you’re still in the mood for some bang bang shrimp or a slice of their legendary cheesecake, you’re in luck—the doors are open again. Just maybe give it a few days to settle before heading back.