Dover Olive Garden temporarily closed after inspector spots roaches in kitchen

An Olive Garden in Dover was closed by the health department after an inspector found a number of dead and live roaches in the restaurant's kitchen. 

The Olive Garden location, at 263 N. DuPont Highway, was closed for "imminent health hazards" on April 12. An employee who answered the phone on Monday afternoon said the restaurant has reopened and all of the issues in the report have been fixed. 

A complaint was made against the restaurant on April 8, in which a customer wrote that while eating their meal they saw "roaches on the wall behind our table and one ran across the table," according to the inspection report.

The customer told the server, who then said it was the first time he had seen roaches in the restaurant.

MORE RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS

Mom's Pizza in Wilmington closed after report of moldy meat, old pizza, rodent droppings

State temporarily closes Newark restaurant after official spots dead roaches in ice machine

During an inspection on April 12, a state official found dead and live roaches in the kitchen area, particularly the wait station, the warewash area and the prep area, the report said. 

More than five live roaches were spotted by the bar and hand sink, among other areas, the report said. And at least five dead roaches were seen throughout the kitchen and bar.

The inspection report also noted that cut lemons for drinks were not on ice. The plumbing in the bar area was not working properly, resulting in the water not draining.  

In order to reopen, the inspector wrote that the restaurant needs to hire a licensed pest management service to spray the area, including the seating area. The business also needs to be cleaned and sanitized before reopening.

The food debris on the walls and under the equipment and tables needs to be removed and food items need to be removed from the kitchen during the pest treatment, the report said. 

On Monday, the Olive Garden was re-inspected by a health inspector. The official found no live roaches, but did spot "numerous" dead roaches "still in the facility due to ongoing spraying and reconstruction of the restaurant." Pest documents were not available for the inspector to review. 

The state official wrote in a Sunday, April 14 re-inspection report the restaurant's construction will need to be completed next week when the inspector comes back for another inspection. The entire establishment must be cleaned, the state official wrote. 

An employee who answered the phone on Monday said construction throughout the restaurant had been completed.

If another complaint is made against the restaurant, and it is validated by the state, the Olive Garden will be considered a "high-risk" restaurant, an inspector wrote in an April 15 report that

The Olive Garden was fined a $50 reassessment fee. 

At least 19 food establishments have been ordered closed by the state since the start of 2019. This includes Hong Kong Chinese Buffet in New Castle, Old Town Buffet in Dover, the bar of Bowlero near Prices Corner, China Taste in Milford and Tasti Thai in New Castle. 

Customers who want to anonymously report unsanitary conditions at Delaware food establishments and restaurants can call a consumer complaint hotline at 302-744-4736. Inspectors follow up on complaints.

DELAWARE HEALTH

Got poop? Nemours docs want your baby's dirty diaper for science

State: Stone Balloon, Bear Buffalo Wild Wings customers might have been exposed to hep A

Contact Meredith Newman at 302-324-2386 or mnewman@delawareonline.com and on Twitter @MereNewman.