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.