EL CANAL CAFE
8401 NW S RIVER DR, Medley FL 33166 · 305.888.2485
Last inspected Jul 20, 2026 · 7 visits since September 2023
SEP 24
FEB 25
SEP 25
JAN 26
JUL 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 18 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed ham croquetas (98F - Hot Holding) at front counter. As per manager for more than 1 hour. Advice manager to reheat croquetas to 135F.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
7 visits, newest first
Jul 20, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate8 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 8 findingsThe state's own report →
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles.
Cardboard used on floor as anti-slip measure not replaced every day or when heavily soiled, whichever comes first. Observed at cook line.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceili vents and tiles soiled throughout kitchen area.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Show the remaining 4 findings ▾
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee preparing food with no hairnet on at kitchen.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor soiled throughout kitchen area.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed Hood filter soiled at cook line. Gaskets soiled at reach in coolers.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed reach in cooler and reach in freezer soiled at kitchen.
Jan 20, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed raw fish stored in thank you bag in kitchen.
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw beef over onions inside Walk in cooler.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed utensils inside HWS in kitchen. Operator removed utensils.
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Observed at Women's restroom.
Clean equipment/utensils not stored at least 6 inches above the floor. Observed clean cutting board stored on kitchen floor. Operator removed cutting board from floor.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tong stored on oven handle in kitchen. Operator removed tong from handle.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed salmon thawing in standing water inside kitchen.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet towels throughout kitchen.
Sep 4, 2025Inspection 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 ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw beef over green peppers box inside Walk in cooler. Operator stored products as per safety procedures.
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. Observed raw chicken over raw beef inside reach in freezer. Operator stored meats as per safety procedures.
Certified food manager unable to answer basic Food Code questions pertaining to safe operation of establishment. Observed Operator unable to answer how to calibrate probe thermometer. Operator was trained on how to calibrate probe thermometer.
Stored food not covered. Observed black beans container uncovered inside Walk in cooler. Operator covered container.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed salt container unlabeled in kitchen. Operator labeled container.
Feb 13, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed raw chicken stored directly in thank you bags in reach in freezer by kitchen entrance. Operator removed food from bag.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs over plantain inside Walk in cooler. Operator stored food correctly.
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. Observed raw beef over empanadas, and raw chicken over fries inside reach in freezer by kitchen entrance. Operator stored food correctly.
Food stored on floor. Observed oil plastic container stored on office floor. Operator removed container from floor.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet towels throughout kitchen. Operator placed towels in bucket with sanitizer.
Sep 4, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed inside women's restroom. Operator provided paper towel.
Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed hot water shut off at employee handwash sink inside Men's restroom. Operator turned on hot water.
Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed salmon bags inside Walk in cooler. Operator cut bags.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed microwave opening button broken.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed by dry storage. Operator stored scoop correctly.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed scoop handle touching salt inside container. Operator stored scoop correctly.
Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Observed missing shield over steam table inside kitchen.
Missing drain plug at dumpster.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet towels inside kitchen and front counter. Operator stored towels inside bucket with sanitizer.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed oil and vinegar squeeze bottles unlabeled inside kitchen. Operator labeled bottles.
Mar 25, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 13 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed Chicken and beef stored in thank you bag at reach in freezer located at storage area at the back of the kitchen. Manager removed them from bag.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed ham croquetas (98F - Hot Holding) at front counter. As per manager for more than 1 hour. Advice manager to reheat croquetas to 135F.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towel at handsink located next to cook line. Manager replenished paper towel.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no hand soup at handsink located next to cook line. Manager replenished hand soup.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed Ceiling tiles soiled throughout the kitchen.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed Ice buildup at Reach in freezers located at storage in the back of the kitchen.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed knives stored between 3 compartment sink and wall.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed at cook line.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed Hood filter soiled at cook line. Observed shelves at walk in cooler soiled. Observed Fan guard at walk in cooler soiled.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall soiled behind reach in freezer located at entrance of kitchen. Observed wall soiled behind 3 compartment sink at kitchen. Observed wall soiled behind hand sink next to cook line.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet wiping cloths stored at preparation table across from cook line.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed Container with salt with no label at preparation table. Manager placed label.
Sep 14, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed pumpkin stored inside thank you bag in reach in freezer inside kitchen. Operator removed pumpkin from bag.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed inside Women's restroom. Operator provided it.
Food stored on floor. Observed raw shell eggs box stored on Walk in cooler floor. Operator removed box from floor.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed inside reach in freezer in back kitchen.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tong stored on oven handle inside kitchen. Operator removed tong.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed spoon in standing water at 80°F by coffee machine at front counter. Operator removed water.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall behind reach in freezer by kitchen entrance.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed spry bottle with water and cinnamon not labeled at front counter. Operator labeled it.
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.