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CACTUS CANTINA

5121 NORTH 12TH AVE, Pensacola FL 32504 · 850-912-8565

Last inspected Jul 17, 2026 · 12 visits since December 2023

Licence typeRestaurant
Seats210
Risk levelRisk Level 2
LicenceSEA2706294
Grade history
JUL 25
JUL 25
OCT 25
MAR 26
JUL 26
≈ ERRATIC

5 inspections, swinging between A and C. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.

Worst finding on record
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Diced tomatoes in walk-in cooler and reach-in cooler 60f and 56f respectively, cut approximately 4 hours ago.
High priority/01B-02-5
Badges — 3 earned
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined

Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →

Inspection history

12 visits, newest first

Jul 17, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.

0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Mar 13, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation (Partial)

Met inspection standards. 1 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Objectionable odors in areas of the establishment. Strong odors throughout dining room and bar.
Basic/36-64-5
Oct 10, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation

Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.

0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jul 29, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation

A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.

0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jul 28, 2025Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation

Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded, 4 high priority.

4 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Chlorine dishwasher reading 10ppm.
High priority/22-41-4/Warning
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Diced tomatoes in walk-in cooler and reach-in cooler 60f and 56f respectively, cut approximately 4 hours ago.
High priority/01B-02-5
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach-in cooler: sour cream 53f for 1 hour, cheddar 56f for 20 minutes, shrimp 57f for 3 hours. Walk-in cooler for 2 hours: coleslaw 56f, sour cream 53f, cheese 55f, brisket 50f, milk 56f. Manager placed ice bags on items to help them rapidly cool.
High priority/03A-02-5/Corrective Action Taken/Warning
Time/temperature control for safety food prepared from/mixed with ingredient(s) at ambient temperature not cooled to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 4 hours. Diced tomatoes in walk-in cooler and reach-in cooler 60f and 56f respectively, cut approximately 4 hours ago. See stop sale.
High priority/03D-06-5/Warning
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Large fan on cook line has dust build-up.
Basic/23-03-4
Jul 23, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation

Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.

0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
May 15, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation (Partial)

Met inspection standards. 1 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

1 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach-in cooler for 2 hours: Diced tomatoes made day before at 55f and sour cream at 52f. Operators noticed reach-in cooler having issues before opening and applied ice in cooler to keep it colder. Directed operators to place food in ice to help keep in cold.
High priority/03A-02-5/Corrective Action Taken
Mar 6, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.

0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Oct 25, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection

A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.

0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Sep 18, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection

Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded, 2 high priority.

2 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Nonfood-grade bags used holding tortillas. Operator replaced bags with food-grade bags.
High priority/14-31-5/Corrected On-Site
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. No automatic vacuum breaker installed on splitter attachment.
High priority/29-42-4/Repeat Violation
No certified food manager for establishment. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/
Intermediate/53A-07-6/Warning
No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/
Intermediate/53A-05-6
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans wet nesting on drying rack.
Basic/24-08-4/Repeat Violation
Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
Basic/14-69-4/Repeat Violation
Apr 16, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

3 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken in walk-in freezer over cheesecake chimichangas. Operator corrected storage during inspection.
High priority/08A-05-6/Corrected On-Site
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Chicken tenders held in ambient air by fryer at 76f for 1 hour. Operator moved chicken tenders to reach-in cooler.
High priority/03A-02-5/Corrective Action Taken
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Mop sink splitter missing automatic vacuum breaker.
High priority/29-42-4
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Utensils stored in hand wash sink by mop sink closet.
Intermediate/31A-11-4
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Small bowls used to scoop sugar. Operator removed bowls during inspection.
Basic/14-01-5/Corrected On-Site
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans on drying rack wetnesting.
Basic/24-08-4/Repeat Violation
Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
Basic/14-69-4/Repeat Violation
Dec 5, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

0 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Upon inspection observed vents in Walk-in cooler soiled with accumulation of dust in kitchen.
Basic/36-34-5
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Upon inspection observed moisture between pans on drying rack by walk-in freezer.
Basic/24-08-4
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Upon inspection observed ice buildup inside walk-in freezer.
Basic/14-69-4
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
Basic/42-01-4

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.