Restaurant Report

Restaurant Report: 317 rodent droppings, rodent nesting at Jacksonville buffet

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Your health and safety is the reason Action News Jax Ben Becker goes out every week to tell you about violations inspectors find at restaurants where you love to eat.

In this week’s Original Restaurant Report, Becker tells you about violations inspectors discovered at local restaurants, including a popular buffet.

Becker visited the Osake Buffet on Southside Boulevard near Deercreek Club Road after violations were discovered during an inspection.

State inspectors found 317 rodent droppings throughout the establishment, rodent-nesting materials in numerous areas including behind the sushi bar and an employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands. It was temporarily closed.

A worker Becker spoke with said they didn’t see any issues but one customer did have a problem and left.

Elsewhere, La Herencia Café on Aviles Street near King Street in St. Augustine was cited for seven live roaches, eight dead roaches and potentially hazardous food temperatures.

The restaurant was also temporarily closed.

Inspectors said King’s Tacos on State Road 16 near I-95 was operating with no potable water, food stored on the floor and a spray bottle with chemicals stored near food.

It was temporarily closed.

The Hyatt Regency in downtown Jacksonville was cited for potentially hazardous food temperatures, fish not held frozen and a wall soiled with accumulated black debris.

All of these restaurants did pass follow-up inspections.