Motek Boca Raton Racks Up 17 Health Violations — But Stays Open

A popular Boca Raton restaurant is under scrutiny after racking up 17 health code violations during a routine state inspection last Thursday. Motek, located at 5377 Town Center Road, was cited for a range of issues spanning basic cleanliness to higher-priority food safety concerns — yet inspectors allowed the restaurant to remain open.

Among the most serious findings: raw fish was stored above ready-to-eat vegetables, the quaternary ammonium sanitizer at the three-compartment sink was completely empty, and no written procedures existed for time-based food safety controls. Inspectors also flagged that hot water had been shut off at one employee handwashing sink, and water pressure was insufficient at multiple fixtures.

Sanitation issues were widespread. The interior of the ice machine showed a buildup of mold-like black and green substance. Sanitizing solution in wiping cloths was measured above 500 parts per million — well beyond safe levels. Handwashing stations at the salad station, prep line, and walk-in cooler lacked paper towels, and no handwashing sign was posted at the salad station.

Additional violations included food stored directly on the floor, unwashed avocados stored alongside ready-to-eat items, cloth towels used as food-contact surfaces, an ice cream scoop sitting in standing water, unlabeled flour containers, and a hole in the wall near the dishwashing area.

Several violations were corrected on the spot after inspectors pointed them out, including the repositioning of raw fish, refilling of paper towels, and remixing of sanitizer solution to the proper 200 ppm concentration.

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s full inspection report is publicly available online.