CUBANBUFFET
345 E 49 ST, Hialeah FL 33013 · 305.887.9963
Last inspected Aug 25, 2026 · 13 visits since September 2023
MAY 25
AUG 25
FEB 26
JUN 26
AUG 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed no hot water at handwashing sink behind front steam table.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
3 cases · $1,600
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1--2019060164 | Nov 19, 2019 | Jan 31, 2020 | $800 |
| 1--2018030935 | May 23, 2018 | Jul 17, 2018 | $400 |
| 1--2018021456 | Mar 23, 2018 | May 30, 2018 | $400 |
Inspection history
13 visits, newest first
Aug 25, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 8 findingsThe state's own report →
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed spray bottle with chemical with no label. Employee labeled during inspection.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener soiled. Employee cleaned during inspection.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at handwashing sink in prep area. Manager provided during inspection..
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling tile with water stains by the entrance.
Show the remaining 4 findings ▾
Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Manager removed and stored properly.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed walk in cooler fans guard soiled.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed employee bottle of water I walk in cooler. Observed removed and discarded drink.
Water leaking from faucet/handle, located at 3 compartment sink.
Aug 25, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jun 19, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 2 recorded.
0 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed sanitizer bucket store in hand sink, located at women bathroom. During the inspection employee removed it.
Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Feb 19, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed can of WD 40 next dry pasta on a shelf at kitchen area. Employee removed and stored properly.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no hand soap at handwashing sink next to 3 compartment sink. Employee provided soap during inspection.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed metal can inside plastic container being use to dispense rice. Employee removed and discarded during inspection. Also observed to go plastic container being use to dispense sugar at cook line. Employee removed and discarded during inspection.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee prepping food without hair restraint. Employee provided hat during inspection.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed plastic containers wet nesting next to 3 compartment sink.
Faucet/handle missing at plumbing fixture. Observed mop sink faucet missing.
Food stored on floor. Observed plastic bag with pumpkins being stored on the floor at cook line. Employee removed and stored properly. Also observed bucket with BBQ sauce being stored on the floor inside walk in cooler. Employee removed and stored properly.
No container installed for catching grease from hood drip tray. Observed drip tray missing at cook line.
Stored food not covered. Observed metal container with BBQ sauce inside walk in cooler not covered. Employee covered with aluminum foil during inspection.
Aug 22, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 12 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority3 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed the dish washer scrub and rinse a pot but no sanitizer step. The operator filled the sink with water and chlorine and sanitized the pot.
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed cheese in a plastic shopping bag in the walk in cooler.
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb.
Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed chlorine sanitizer at 200plus ppm. Operator diluted solution with water. Final reading, 100ppm.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed the can opener blade soiled with old food debris.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
Sink compartments of three-compartment sink too small to accommodate utensils or equipment. Observed cooking pots too large to fit in 3 compartment sink.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed above the steam tables and preparation tables.
Dead roaches on premises. Observed one dead roach by the hot water heater. Operator removed roach and sanitized area.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
No container installed for catching grease from hood drip tray. Observed on one of the hood systems.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the walk in cooler shelving soiled. Observed the reach in cooler gaskets soiled.
May 14, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee change gloves without washing hands first before starting to serve food. Manager coached employees on proper handwashing and gloves use, employee washed his hands and put gloves in.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle with all purpose cleaner not labeled across front oven. Employee labeled product properly during inspection.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing water at kitchen and ware washing area.
In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Observed serving scoop inside white rice at steam table area. Manager removed and stored properly.
Open dumpster lid. Employee closed dumpster during inspection
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed pipe leaking at handwashing sink next to 3 compartment sink.
Jan 30, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jan 29, 2025Insp. Completed - Warning Given, PendingRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 9 recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Observed: Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed inside walk in cooler raw uncovered chicken stored in same container with raw packed pork. Operator stored raw chicken separated from raw pork.
Observed: Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed Rice puddings (50F - Cold Holding) according to manager prepared two days ago, stored in reach in cooler front area.
Observed: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Rice puddings (50F - Cold Holding) according to manager prepared two days ago, stored in reach in cooler front area.
Observed: Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit.observed at preparation area 6:10 AM lentil soup (107F - Hot Holding); black beans (128F - Hot Holding) according to the manager prepared 2.5 hrs ago. Food was taken to the kitchen to reheat, 2nd temperature 630 AM, lentil soup (168F - Hot Holding); black beans (169F - Hot Holding) **Corrected On-SiteRepeat ViolationWarning**
Observed: Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed can being used as scoop to dispense rice in preparation area. Employee removed and discarded during inspection.
Observed: Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee handling food without a hair restraint.
Observed: Food stored in a location that is exposed to splash/dust. Observed not of lettuce next to handwashing sink behind front counter.
Observed: Uncovered food stored near sink exposed to splash. Priority: Basic
Observed: Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed plastic containers with sugar and rice not labeled under preparation table in kitchen area.
Oct 24, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Oct 23, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed dented can of tomatoes at dry storage rack next to dry storage room. Observed 5 dented Cans on dry storage rack. Manager segregated cans to return to vendor.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at steam table chicken tenders (114F - Hot Holding) prepared 1 hour ago according to to manager. Employee took chicken tenders try to kitchen to reheat. Second temperature, chicken tenders (168F - Hot Reheating.)
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle with vinegar not labeled at front preparation table, employee labeled bottle properly.
Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed no hot water at handwashing sink behind front steam table.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed metal container with no handle being used as scoop inside plastic rice container across from back oven. Employee removed it during inspection.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed pots not inverted at storage area.
Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employees wearing watches and bracelets while prepping food.
Jun 26, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed pots on top of rack not inverted. Employee inverted pots.
Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employees serving food, with wrist watches and wrist jewelry on. Employees remove jewelry from wrists.
Food stored on floor. Observed 3 boxes with raw pork stored on the floor inside walk in cooler. Manager stored pork boxes six in above the ground.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed inside walk in freezer.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed box with single serve containers stored on the floor at dry storage room. Employee stored single serve containers on shelf above the floor.
Stored food not covered. Observed inside walk in freezer containers with cooked beef, cooked boniato, raw ground beef, no covered. Employee covered food containers.
Feb 29, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed on a faucet next to 3 compartment sink, no vacuum breaker.
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed two faucets no vacuum breakers at mop sink.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed at kitchen hand sink, Employee provided soap
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice build up inside walk in freezer.
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed water from pipe leaking at hand wash sink next to 3 compartment sink.
Sep 13, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed two faucets no vacuum breakers.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener soiled. Employee cleaned can opener.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed next to 3 compartment sink no paper towels available
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed by ware washing area
Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed at kitchen and ware washing areas.
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.