COCINA CAFE EXPRESS
1700 W NEW HAVEN AVE STE 369, Melbourne FL 32904 · 4079703483
Last inspected Aug 12, 2026 · 9 visits since November 2023
NOV 24
MAY 25
SEP 25
FEB 26
AUG 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Black substance in back upper wall of ice machine in kitchen.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $400
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4--2025046802 | May 12, 2025 | Jul 29, 2025 | $400 |
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Aug 12, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. raw beef (50F - Cold Holding); fish (51F - Cold Holding), manager states food was prepped earlier, moved to walk in freezer to rapid chill.
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Milk no date mark, employee date marked jug
Establishment advertised crab on menu/menu board but served imitation crab. Shrimp and Krab, employee changed label on menu item to a "K"
Plumbing system in disrepair. Hand sink in back kitchen drains onto floor
Feb 4, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw ground beef repackaged and stored over raw whole muscle beef in walk in freezer. Educated operator.
Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Milk jug reused to store house made garlic sauce.
Sep 17, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Hose is missing backflow prevention.
Water treatment device has not been inspected or serviced according to manufacturer's instructions. Ice maker filters have no dates listed.
Ceiling shows damage or is in disrepair. In walk in freezer, coating is flacking on freezer ceiling above packaged food. One box of frozen pastries directly under the flacking paint.
Sep 16, 2025Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 15 recorded, 6 high priority.
6 High priority3 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw pork and fish over case bananas in walk in cooler.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef and shell eggs over cooked pasta and potatoes.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Make table near front pass through window: milk, shredded lettuce, and sliced tomatoes 45f cold holding Make table across from triple sink slice ham and sliced cheeses 45f cold holding. Unsliced ham and unsliced cheese 45f cold holding
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Make table near front pass through window: milk, shredded lettuce, and sliced tomatoes 45f cold holding Make table across from triple sink slice ham and sliced cheeses 45f cold holding. Unsliced ham, unsliced cheese 45f cold holding
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Pork on serving line 118f hot holding. Operator took back to reheat.
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Hose is missing backflow prevention.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled.
Raw/undercooked animal food offered and establishment has no written consumer advisory. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service. Advisory not posted for potential egg yolks on burger.
Water treatment device has not been inspected or serviced according to manufacturer's instructions. Ice maker filters have no dates listed.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Black substance in back upper wall of ice machine in kitchen.
Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Upper shelf in kitchen storage rack has cardboard lining the shelf to store spices.
Ceiling shows damage or is in disrepair. In walk in freezer, coating is flacking on freezer ceiling above packaged food. One box of frozen pastries directly under the flacking paint.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Plastic bins above triple sink has wet nesting between each stackable container.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Ice bucket not inverted or protected from debris.
Stored food not covered. Adobo, flour, and spice stored not covered. Cook covered them with lids.
May 12, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with oil
May 9, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 9 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority3 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Walk in cooler- Raw beef and chicken over unwashed vegetables- educated operator and provided safe food storage handouts
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. octopus salad 50 F - cold holding; potato salad 46 F - cold holding; macaroni salad 46 F - cold holding; seafood salad 50 F - cold holding; chimichuri sauce 60 F - cold holding; all items made today at 10:30am found at 12:30pm operators placed on ice or in reach in cooler for rapid cooling.
Identity of food or food product misrepresented. Menu states octopus salad When asked to see packaging for octopus inspector was shown box stating "frozen wild caught squid- octopus style"
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/
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Tanks chained to each other but not secured to wall or rack. Manager chained tanks to rack
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with oil
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Rice under prep table- labeled by staff
Nov 18, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Dust on on dice machine
Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. Hood filter over stove missing. Moved and put in place by manager
Mar 12, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Light not functioning. 2 lights under hood not functioning
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No handwashing sign by triple sink
Nov 16, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority4 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. butter (47F - Cold Holding) on cookline counter, operator had out for order suggested rapid chill on item, retemped at 43F
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Undated opened milk in front reach in drink cooler
No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Operation has two cashiers that will need to sign form, emailed to operator
No soap provided at handwash sink. By entrance to kitchen
No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Operator using time on front line cold bar, holding sliced tomatoes and pasta salad from 1pm-5pm, operator could not locate time plan, emailed new copy to operator
Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Cooking utensils not stored handle up
Food stored on floor. Raw shelled eggs on floor in walk in cooler
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At hand sink by triple sink, emailed one to operator
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.