4000 PONCE CAFE
4000 PONCE DE LEON BLVD, Coral Gables FL 33146 · 3057932695
Last inspected Feb 9, 2026 · 7 visits since December 2023
5 inspections within 17 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
7 visits, newest first
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at hot box empanadas (109F - Hot Holding); ham croquette (98F - Hot Holding) as per operator for less than 2 hours. Employee increased heat to reheat items.
Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed expired for Lazard Leon on 1/1/2026.
In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Observed in container of tuna salad in reach in cooler.
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
Show 3 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at hot box empanadas (112F - Hot Holding). As per employee for 1 hour. Employee increased heat.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand sink blocked by storage cart. Operator removed.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee placed hair net.
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
Show 5 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed at reach in cooler raw shelled eggs stored over sliced tomatoes.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at hot box empanadas (101F - Hot Holding). As per employee for 1 hour. Employee increased heat.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Employee provided.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
Show 5 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed at reach in cooler shelled eggs stored over tequenos and tuna salad.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at crock pot spaghetti (119F - Hot Holding). As per employee about 2 hours. Employee began to reheat.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand sink blocked by rolling cart. Operator removed.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed at hand wash sink. Operator provided.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
Show 4 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at hot box empanadas (119F - Hot Holding). As per operator for about 2 hours. Operator reheated empanadas to 168F during inspection.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Observed displayed license dated 10/01/2023.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee preparing food and coffees with no hair restraint. Employee placed hair restraint.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed in both the women's and men's bathrooms.
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
Show 1 finding ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 4 recorded, 2 high priority.
Show 4 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw shell eggs stored above sliced ham located in the low boy reach in cooler.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chlorine strips available at the time of the inspection.
In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Observed for the tuna salad,located in the prep reach in cooler.
This record follows the licence, not the owner. Restaurants change hands and the licence history normally does not, so an older entry may describe people who no longer run the place. Every inspection above links to the state's own report. Something wrong? Tell us.