CORTADITO CUBAN CAFE
444 W. RAILROAD AVE, West Palm Beach FL 33401 · 561.888.6935
Last inspected Jun 16, 2026 · 12 visits since November 2023
FEB 24
SEP 24
APR 25
OCT 25
MAR 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections, one direction. The current grade is the worst on record.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observe at One door refrigerator; butter,slices cheese (45F - Cold Holding). Operator moved food.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $320
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2--2026014019 | Jan 6, 2026 | Jun 23, 2026 | $320 |
Inspection history
12 visits, newest first
Jun 16, 2026Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 1 violations recorded.
0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 1 finding
Observed: 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. **Repeat ViolationAdminComplaint** Priority: Intermediate 03/25/26- At Callback- Time extended
Apr 16, 2026Call Back - Extension given, pendingRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
0 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Observed: Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Priority: Intermediate -03/25/26- At Callback- Time extended
Observed: 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. **Repeat ViolationAdminComplaint** Priority: Intermediate 03/25/26- At Callback- Time extended
Mar 25, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 5 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Observed: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Flip top refrigerator; ham (66F - Cold Holding); sliced cheese (64F - Cold Holding); (64F)a; shelled eggs (62F - Cold Holding) in refrigerator that not working from 9 am over 5.5 hours see stop sale Priority: High Priority 03/25/26- At Callback-ham (52F - Cold Holding); sliced cheese (51F - Cold Holding); shelled eggs (51F - Cold Holding) food not prepared or or tinier today- food out of temperature for 1.5 hours. Operator placed on ice to quick chill **AdminComplaint
Observed: Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Priority: Intermediate -03/25/26- At Callback- Time extended
Observed: 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. **Repeat ViolationAdminComplaint** Priority: Intermediate 03/25/26- At Callback- Time extended
Observed: Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Observe with pineapple and lemonade Reference: 61C-4.010(1)(c) FAC: Public food service establishments which prepare and package food products for sale within the establishment must ensure that packaged food products are properly labeled. A label is not required on food products placed in a wrapper, carry-out box, or other nondurable container for the purpose of protecting the food during service to and receipt by the customer. Package labels must contain the following information: 1. Identity and description of product; 2. Date product was packaged; and 3. Name and address of establishment which prepared and packaged product. Priority: Basic Priority: Basic 03/25/26- At Callback- Time extended
Observed: Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed oil and yellow substance in unlabeled squeeze bottles. Priority: Basic Priority: Basic 03/25/26- At Callback- Time extended
Mar 24, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 15 violations recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority6 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Observed employee cleaning up and you phone the taking orders and without hand washing grabbing clean Togo coffee cup and preparing beverages.
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observe, raw bacon above unwashed tomatoes. Operator put a bacon, other refrigerator
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Flip top refrigerator; ham (66F - Cold Holding); sliced cheese (64F - Cold Holding); (64F)a; shelled eggs (62F - Cold Holding) in refrigerator that not working from 9 am over 5.5 hours see stop sale
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Flip top refrigerator; ham (66F - Cold Holding); sliced cheese (64F - Cold Holding); (64F)a; shelled eggs (62F - Cold Holding) in refrigerator that not working from 9 am over 5.5 hours see stop sale
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed metal container in hand sink at coffee station. Observed a bag of black beans in hand sink by 3 compartment sink.
Incorrect chemical test kit provided for measuring the concentration of the sanitizer solution used in the three-compartment sink and/or dishmachine. Operator has quad sanitizer strips, but use is chlorine
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification.
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.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed red substance in unlabeled spray bottle.
Wild bird present inside establishment. Observed pigeon in established.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed refrigerator leaking water
Food stored on floor. Observed plastic container of fry oil on floor by 3 compartment sink hand sink.
Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Observe with pineapple and lemonade
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no handwashing signs by coffee station hand sink
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed oil and yellow substance in unlabeled squeeze bottles.
Jan 6, 2026Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 2 violations recorded.
0 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification.
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.
Oct 31, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 3 recorded.
0 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification.
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.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed at rear refrigerator leaking water by cook line.
Jun 16, 2025Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 3 violations recorded.
0 High priority3 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Employee backpack and towels stored in basin of handwashing sink by triple sink.
Juice packaged in the establishment that has not been specifically processed to prevent, reduce, or eliminate the presence of pathogens not bearing a warning label. Observed fresh squeezed orange juice at beverage cooler with no warning label present. Please add following statement to unpasteurized fresh squeezed juice. WARNING: This product has not been pasteurized and, therefore, may contain harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness in children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems.
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. Not available at time of inspection.
Apr 15, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority5 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. papa rellena (fried potato) (127F - Hot Holding) Observed under heat lamp. Per operator, out of temperature for approximately 1 hour. Advised operator to use time control. Advised operator to place time mark for remaining 1 hour. Time control procedure emailed to operator.
Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Cooler across from flat top: sliced tomatoes (55F - Cooling) at 8:45; cooling since 7:15 - 55F at 9:08 - At current rate of cooling product will not reach 41F within 4 hours.; ground beef (80F - Cooling) at 8:49; cooling since 7:30 - 76F at 9:10 - At current rate of cooling product will not reach 70F within 2 hours. Advised operator to move products to reach in freezer.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Employee backpack and towels stored in basin of handwashing sink by triple sink.
Juice packaged in the establishment that has not been specifically processed to prevent, reduce, or eliminate the presence of pathogens not bearing a warning label. Observed fresh squeezed orange juice at beverage cooler with no warning label present. Please add following statement to unpasteurized fresh squeezed juice. WARNING: This product has not been pasteurized and, therefore, may contain harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness in children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. For chlorine sanitizer at triple sink and sanitizer buckets.
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. Not available at time of inspection.
Sep 4, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority3 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed shopping bag in hand wash sink by 3 compartment sink. Operator removed bag.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. To rinse coffee espresso parts.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed red substance in unlabeled spray bottle. Operator label bottle
Food stored on floor. Observed plastic container of chicken base on kitchen floor. Operator placed on shelf.
Feb 9, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observe employee washing equipment and utensils without sanitizing. Operator set up 3 compartment sink.
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observe yucca in Togo bags in freezer.
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observe beef in ziplock bag above open guava pastry in freezer. Operator placed raw beef on lower shelf.
Nov 16, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Nov 15, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observe at One door refrigerator; butter,slices cheese (45F - Cold Holding). Operator moved food.
Juice packaged in the establishment that has not been specifically processed to prevent, reduce, or eliminate the presence of pathogens not bearing a warning label. Observe in fresh squeezed orange juice
Probe thermometer not accurate within plus or minus 2 degrees Fahrenheit. Observe probe thermometer off by 6 °F. I help operate calibration
Food stored on floor. Observe case of plastic bottle water on floor.
Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Observe with salad and cake.
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.