Coral Gables, FL – Havana Harry’s, a widely popular Cuban restaurant highly acclaimed for its cuisine and ambiance, was temporarily closed by state inspectors earlier this week following a customer complaint. The establishment, recognized in the 2024 Michelin guide and named among the best restaurants in Coral Gables by the New Times, faced immediate scrutiny that led to a mandatory closure.
State authorities conducted an inspection on Monday, November X (assuming a date around the reporting, placeholder as the original didn’t specify the month/day beyond ‘earlier this week’ and ‘Monday/Tuesday’), at the restaurant’s location at 4612 LeJeune Rd. The inspection revealed a total of 13 violations, highlighting significant lapses in sanitation and food safety protocols. Among the most critical findings were two violations classified as High Priority, indicating conditions that could directly contribute to foodborne illness.
Inspection Findings Detail Significant Issues
The inspection report detailed a series of concerning observations made by state officials. According to information reported by the Miami Herald, inspectors documented the presence of numerous live roaches. Disturbingly, the report specifically noted roaches coming out of the walls within the premises, a clear indicator of an infestation problem that poses a serious public health risk.
Beyond the pest issues, inspectors identified several other violations impacting food storage, cleanliness, and hygiene practices. These included a box of uncut lettuce stored uncovered on a shelf, leaving the produce vulnerable to contamination. Cookline areas showed signs of neglect, with soiled cookline floors noted to have accumulated debris. Cookline hood filters were found to be soiled with grease buildup, representing both a sanitation issue and a potential fire hazard. A storage shelf was observed to be soiled with old grease and food residue, further indicating inadequate cleaning procedures. Additionally, the report highlighted an issue with proper storage of clean utensils, noting that clean drinking glasses were stored next to the handwash sink exposed to splash contamination, rendering them potentially unsanitary for customer use.
These findings, particularly the presence of live roaches and the two High Priority violations, are the primary drivers behind the state’s decision to issue an emergency closure order to Havana Harry’s on Monday.
Swift Reopening After Re-inspection
Following the mandatory closure, the management of Havana Harry’s acted quickly to address the identified issues. The restaurant underwent a re-inspection by state authorities on Tuesday, November X (placeholder date).
Crucially, the restaurant successfully passed this re-inspection. The swift turnaround from closure to reopening underscores the urgent nature of the corrections required and implemented by the restaurant staff and management. Passing the re-inspection signals to state officials that the critical violations observed on Monday, including the High Priority issues and general sanitation problems, were adequately rectified to meet regulatory standards.
Restaurant Response and Community Impact
The temporary closure of a restaurant as well-regarded as Havana Harry’s, known for its consistent quality and popularity in the Coral Gables dining scene and beyond – evidenced by its inclusion in the 2024 Michelin guide and accolades from publications like the New Times – can significantly impact its reputation and customer trust. While the reopening is a necessary step, the details of the closure proceedings may raise questions among patrons.
In an attempt to gain insight into the restaurant’s perspective and the actions taken, WPLG Local 10 reportedly sought comment from Havana Harry’s management. According to WPLG Local 10, their attempt to get a response from the restaurant regarding the closure and inspection findings was met with an unwelcoming reaction, suggesting a reluctance from the establishment to publicly discuss the incident or the reasons behind the temporary shutdown.
Despite the brief closure and the circumstances leading to it, Havana Harry’s is now operational again, having satisfied state inspection requirements. The incident serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining stringent food safety and sanitation standards, even for the most popular and acclaimed dining establishments.
