Why did these South Florida restaurants close? Here are 7 stories behind shutdowns

Stories by Miami Herald journalists, with AI summarization

Restaurants in South Florida close for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it's from a health inspection that reveals poor hygiene or maintenance.

Sometimes it's because of the economy.

Restaurant closures can stem from long-standing financial struggles, as seen in the bittersweet closing of a family-owned Thai restaurant after decades of operation due to rising costs and changing neighborhood dynamics.

Others face abrupt ends due to unforeseen difficulties like pest infestations or plumbing disasters, with one restaurant firing their exterminator over a neglected roach problem.

Even seemingly popular spots like the Cuban-inspired La Cumbancha can fail due to a variety of financial factors.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Inspection problems got a restaurant in trouble.

NO. 1: CHIPOTLE AND CHEESECAKE FACTORY AMONG MIAMI TO PALM BEACH RESTAURANT INSPECTION FAILURES

See which restaurant was covered with sewage. | Published September 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by David J. Neal

The fish tank is empty at Lotus Garden restaurant in Coral Gables, which has closed for good.

NO. 2: FOR ALMOST 40 YEARS, THIS FAMILY-OWNED THAI RESTAURANT FED CORAL GABLES. NOW IT’S CLOSED

Family-owned favorite closes. | Published September 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Connie Ogle

NO. 3: FLIES ON ONIONS, ROACHES IN BEANS AND OTHER MIAMI TO PALM BEACH RESTAURANT PROBLEMS

Somebody also wiped his nose, then went back to making food without washing hands at one of the 14 restaurants on the list. | Published November 1, 2024 | Read Full Story by David J. Neal

La Cumbancha restaurant and bar in Miami Lakes is now closed.

NO. 4: ‘IT’S BEEN FUN’: AFTER LESS THAN A YEAR, THIS CUBAN RESTAURANT IN MIAMI LAKES IS CLOSED

The place had live music and a Cafe La Trova pedigree. | Published October 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Connie Ogle

Carnitas de Nicaragua Fritanga Tortilleria, 1885 W. Flagler St., had 44 total violations when the inspector stopped by on April 4.

NO. 5: ROACHES GOT A MIAMI RESTAURANT SHUT DOWN AND, THE OWNER SAID, AN EXTERMINATOR FIRED

“Live roach crawling on a broom.” | Published April 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by David J. Neal

Sarah Porter prepares blue drinks in this throwback photo at Blue Martini in Kendall.

NO. 6: BELOVED KENDALL BAR WITH BIG DRINKS AND WILD HAPPY HOURS HAS CLOSED: ‘END OF AN ERA’

The last day was Sunday | Published September 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Madeleine Marr

NO. 7: A VICKY BAKERY, POOP IN SOAP ON LIST OF WORST RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS IN SOUTH FLORIDA

What to know about which places were cited or shut down. | Published November 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by David J. Neal

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.