Fast food fans in Tampa were left shocked after a Burger King on W Martin Luther King Boulevard was temporarily shut down following a state health inspection that uncovered serious violations, including rodent chew marks on a burger bun.
The location at 2506 W Martin Luther King Boulevard has a mixed reputation, holding a 3.8-star rating on Google reviews. While some customers praised the service, others flagged concerns about cleanliness. One reviewer claimed they became ill after eating food from the restaurant, writing, “We both have had a serious stomach virus… for days.” Another noted issues with hygiene, saying, “The guy in the kitchen was messing with his nose and on his phone. The store (had) dirty tables.”
The inspection by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, conducted on December 6, 2024, found six violations, including an employee failing to wear a hair net, the presence of dead and live roaches, rodent droppings, and the shocking discovery of a burger bun with visible rodent chew marks, which led to a stop-sale order.
Due to the violations, the Burger King was temporarily closed. A follow-up inspection later the same day found unresolved issues, keeping the doors shut. However, a second follow-up on December 7 determined the restaurant met inspection standards, allowing it to reopen.
Burger King has been a Florida favorite for decades, with the first location opening in Jacksonville in the 1950s. Today, there are over 500 Burger King restaurants across the state, making it a go-to option for fast-food fans. However, incidents like this highlight the importance of routine health checks to ensure food safety.