Rodent dung among reasons inspectors closed a popular Miami restaurant
Rodents using an area near the kitchen as their restroom were the lead violation on inspections that kept a popular Miami restaurant closed for two days last week.
If management at Berries in the Grove is looking for a little feelgood about this inspection, spurred by customer complaint, there’s this: The three High Priority violations and 15 total violations spotted Wednesday are fewer than the seven High Priority violations and 53 total violations found when Berries crashed out in a 2018 state inspection.
Flies helped ruin that inspection. This time, rodents were the vermin.
“At the dry storage area, where canned goods, bags of rice, flour, dry beans and spices are stored at the entrance of the kitchen with no door separation, approximately 15 to 20 rodent droppings were present on the floor under wire shelves.
In the reach-in freezer, “containers of yuca fries and tostones were uncovered.”
READ MORE: Ancient food among the inspection problems at a Milam’s Market near Coral Gables
“The handwash sink across from dishwasher was not accessible for employees.”
The scoop’s handle wasn’t above the food in closed containers for rice, sugar and flour in the kitchen.
“Interior of ovens throughout have accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.”
READ MORE: Denny’s flies and Taco Bell roaches among South Florida restaurant filth
During Thursday’s re-inspection, there were seven rodent droppings in the same area the inspector saw 15 on Wednesday.
Berries passed a second callback inspection on Friday.
This story was originally published September 16, 2025 at 11:37 AM.
