An Italian restaurant in northern Marion County was forced to temporarily close for less than a day last week after a health inspector found about 135 rat droppings in the kitchen – just four months after the eatery’s sister restaurant next door closed for similar reasons.

Antonio’s Made in Italy temporarily closed its location at 22050 Hwy 441 in Micanopy on August 23 after failing a health inspection by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

According to the inspector’s report, the business was cited for 11 violations, including two “high priority” violations. One of those high priority violations involved rodent activity, as evidenced by dozens of droppings found around the restaurant.

The report notes that at least 40 pellets of feces were found next to a refrigerator in the kitchen, 30 more under the dishwasher, and 35 more in a dry goods storage area. Another 20 were found in a refrigerator in the kitchen, and 10 more behind the stove in the kitchen.

State records show the restaurant was inspected again on Saturday, August 24, and that despite a required “re-inspection,” the violations did not pose an “immediate threat to the public.” The restaurant was only cited for two moderate violations during that inspection and was allowed to reopen.

Antonio’s Made in Italy is located just south of the Marion County-Alachua County border. The restaurant is right next to its sister restaurant, Antonio’s The Depot, which temporarily closed in April due to similar health code violations.