EL JACALITO RESTAURANT CASTRO
16735 US HWY 331 UNIT 4, Freeport FL 32439 · 8508447987
Last inspected Feb 3, 2026 · 8 visits since July 2023
5 inspections within 17 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 soup hot holding at 133F for 15 minutes per operator. Operator reheated to 167F during inspection.
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drinks stored on food contact surface next to mixer.
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Open yogurt with spoon stored in upright freezer next to food served to the public.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone stored on food contact surface next to mixer.
Frozen time/temperature control for safety food being slacked at room temperature is no longer frozen solid. Items being thawed in 3 compartment sink partially in standing water or at room temp. Thawing- beef chuck 63F, pork 69F, beef 39F (2:45-3:15).
Show the remaining 5 findings ▾
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in multiple cold holding units.
Open dumpster lid at shared dumpster.
Soiled dry wiping cloth in use on food contact surface near pork being prepped.
Twenty (20) foot-candles of light not provided at hot hold food buffet at front counter.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Multiple bags of food cooked and stored in upright coolers/ Freezers not labeled.
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
Show 1 finding ▾
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. All expired 01/2025 03/2025
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 3 recorded.
Show 3 findings ▾
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. All expired 01/2025 03/2025
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed several acoustic/not smooth easily cleanable ceiling tile above food prep areas in kitchen.
Utility lines are unnecessarily exposed. Observed AC utility line/box hanging from ceiling/hole around device leading to attic.
Met inspection standards. 1 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
Show 1 finding ▾
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed acoustic ceiling tile mixed with smooth easily cleanable ceiling tile in kitchen and above steam table.
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
Show 7 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed soup hot holding at 133F for 15 minutes per operator. Operator reheated to 167F during inspection.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink- beside double door freezer.
No soap provided at handwash sink- beside double door freezer.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Operator removed bowl during inspection.
Food stored on floor. Observed one bag of beans stored on floor beside double door freezer.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees- beside double door freezer.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed beef thawing under hot running water. Operator replaced hot water with cool running water during inspection.
Met inspection standards. 1 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
Show 1 finding ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food, cooked rice in upright cooler.
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
Show 2 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food, cooked rice in upright cooler.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice.
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.