![Yumi Buffet was closed Feb. 1, after several health violations including evidence of rodents and unsafe food temperatures. [MARK JUDSON/News Bulletin]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-47fa28fa-8dad-5642-e053-0100007f2101-4ebed3d0.jpeg)
CRESTVIEW — Golden Buffet recently was closed due to health violations; this was its fourth closure in three years.
The restaurant, at 2680 S. Ferdon Blvd., temporarily closed Feb. 1 following a citation for 20 violations, including six high-priority concerns, according to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s inspection report.
An inspector reportedly found foods held at unsafe temperatures, roach activity and approximately 60 rodent droppings in the kitchen.
This isn’t the restaurant’s first issue with health closures or the presence of rodents.
An inspector found about 75 droppings on Oct. 14, 2016, in addition to food storage violations. Another closure occurred on June 28, 2016, when Golden Buffet 48 violations, 14 of high-priority status. Approximately 230 rodent droppings were found during that inspection.
The business also closed May 16, 2014, when over 50 droppings and about 37 live roaches were found in the kitchen.
The restaurant reportedly has had 25 complaint-driven inspections since April 2014.
Restaurant emergency closures occur “based on an immediate threat to the public” with the intent to “protect the public health, safety or welfare,” according to the DBPR website.
“The division is currently engaged in administrative action with the Golden Buffet and will continue to monitor their compliance with Florida’s safety and sanitation laws,” DBPR Deputy Director of Communications Kathleen Keenan said in an email.
An administrative action can result in fines, business license suspension or license revocation, Keenan added.
The DBPR follows licensing and disciplinary requirements outlined in Florida Statutes, according to Keenan when asked how the restaurant has been able to maintain its license after so many repeat violations and closures.
“An administrative complaint which affords reasonable notice to the licensee of facts or conduct which warrant the [revocation]” is required, according to the statute.
Keenan didn’t comment on which action the DBPR was pursuing or if the company could lose its license.
A manager or spokesperson was not available for comment in several calls to Golden Buffet.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: How does this Crestview restaurant stay open?