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Restaurant Report: Jacksonville Beach pizza restaurant temporarily closed for 3rd time in 3 years

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — State inspectors are notorious for finding more problems, whether it’s a small issue...or a biggie.

Action News Jax Ben Becker’s first stop in this week’s Restaurant Report was Biggie’s Pizza on North 3rd St. near 3rd Avenue North in Jacksonville Beach.

“We’ve met before,” Becker said to the owner. “We have,” she responded. “I’m back again,’ said Becker. “I know,” she answered.

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State inspectors found One live roach, ten rodent droppings behind the pizza ovens, and six flying insects. It was temporarily closed for the 3rd time in the last 3 years.

Becker was at its previous Jacksonville Beach location in September 2019, when it was closed after inspectors found 46 rodent droppings.

Then in June 2020, it was closed for having a live rodent present and 61 rodent droppings.

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This time, the owner told Becker a rodent got in through outside holes and took more pest control measures.

“Everything is better now?,” asked Becker. “Thank God it is,” she said. “We are keeping an eye on them.”

She even gave Becker a tour and the kitchen looked clean.

“We try hard every single day,” she said. “I swear we hate those things.”

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Elsewhere, Casa Maya on Hypolita Street near Charlotte Street was cited for 38 live roaches, 58 flying insects in the kitchen and a mold-like substance in an ice machine. It was temporarily closed.

Inspectors say Whit’s Frozen Custard on Ocean Boulevard near Atlantic had 44 small live flying insects, dead insects in a sticky trap, and a stop-sale was issued on cones not in wholesome condition. It was temporarily closed.

Becker’s final stop, Fuji Sushi 3 on San Jose Boulevard near Mandarin Road was cited for time/temperature safety violations, raw animal food not separated from ready to eat food, and a bag of open rice on the floor.

All the restaurants passed follow-up inspections.

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