EL JALAPENO
4960 SOUTHARD ST, Lake Worth FL 33463 · 561.281.7950
Last inspected Sep 26, 2025 · 8 visits since August 2023
AUG 23
APR 24
DEC 24
JUL 25
SEP 25
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and F. 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. Hand washing sink no hot water discussed with operator who turned on water valve.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
2 cases · $1,400
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2--2025080719 | Sep 25, 2025 | Dec 10, 2025 | $1,000 |
| 2--2025056658 | Jul 25, 2025 | Aug 27, 2025 | $400 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Sep 26, 2025Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 2 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 2 findings
Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee itched hair with hand and after without washing hands employee handled container of cooked steak, discussed with operator employee washed hands.
Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee washed dirty dishes and after without washing hands handled clean and sanitized utensils.
Sep 25, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 16 violations recorded, 7 high priority.
7 High priority4 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 16 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Bottle of burn medication stored above flip top cooler, discussed with operator who removed medication.
Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee itched hair with hand and after without washing hands employee handled container of cooked steak, discussed with operator employee washed hands.
Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee washed dirty dishes and after without washing hands handled clean and sanitized utensils.
Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Employee rinsed off bowl and after without sanitizing bowl placed it to dry, discussed with operator proper dish washing procedures.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In reach in cooler raw shell eggs stored directly above cooked beef, discussed with operator who corrected storage of products.
Time/temperature control for safety food reheated for hot holding not reaching 165 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds within 2 hours. In steam table cooked shredded beef (154F - Reheating) per operator product finished reheating final reheating temperature did not reach 165F, discussed with operator who moved product back to flat top to reheat to 183F.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In steam table cooked steak (133F - Hot Holding) per operator steak prepared on flat top stove and hot held in steam table, discussed with operator hot holding, operator moved product back to flat top to reheat to 187F.
Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed hands in three compartment sink, discussed with operator who educated employee.
Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. In large metal pot cooked chicken (106F - Cooling) at 9:25 since 9:00 to 105F at 9:20, at this current rate of cooling product will not reach 70F within 2 hours discussed with operator to move product to cooler to chill. In reach in cooler cut lettuce (47F - Cooling) at 9:20 since 9:00 to 47F at 9:40, at this current rate of cooling product will not reach 41F within 4 hours, discussed with operator to move to another cooler to allow for faster cooling.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand washing sink filled with dishes and non accessible, discussed with operator who cleared sink.
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. New employee Marleni morales started 1 week ago has no employee health reporting agreement or food handler certificate, discussed with operator.
Dead roaches on premises. In kitchen approximately 3 dead roaches under three compartment sink. In kitchen approximately 2 dead roaches under dry dry storage rack, discussed with operator to clean and sanitize areas.
Food stored on floor. In kitchen large pots of cooked chicken, cooked cow tongue, bag of lettuce and multiple sauce bottles, discussed with operator to remove products from floor.
Plumbing system in disrepair. Exterior water drain leaking water on to ground, discussed with operator to repair.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Interior of reach in cooler soiled with accumulation of soiled debris, discussed with operator to clean and sanitize.
Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. Multiple soiled wet cloths used to wipe cutting boards, discussed with operator to clean and sanitize properly with clean cloths.
Jul 25, 2025□ Emergency Order Callback CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. MFDV flooring has rusted away with holes through the floor making outside ground visible from interior, discussed with operator to repair flooring.
Jul 25, 2025■ Emergency Order Callback Not CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit while the kitchen was already shut. The problems had not been fixed, so the closure stayed in place. 2 violations recorded.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Dead roaches on premises. Approximately 7 dead roaches inside storage cabinet for single service items. Approximately 2 dead roaches inside AC unit on ceiling. Approximately 4 dead roaches under three compartment sink. Discussed with operator to clean and sanitize areas.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. MFDV flooring has rusted away with holes through the floor making outside ground visible from interior, discussed with operator to repair flooring.
Jul 24, 2025■ Emergency order recommendedRoutine Inspection
Ordered shut on the spot. 6 violations recorded, 3 of them the tier the state says can make you ill. A reinspection is required before this kitchen may reopen.
3 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee handled gas can and without washing hands employee handled dried chilis, discussed with operator employee washed hands.
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Approximately 1 live roach fell from ceiling onto inspectors iPad, inspector had to sanitize iPad using alcohol swaps. Approximately 2 live roaches walking on floor in between steam table and flip top cooler. Approximately 30 live roaches under three compartment sink next to waste water tank. Discussed with operator to clean and sanitize all areas and eliminate all roaches.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In steam table refried beans (129F - Hot Holding) per operator product prepared on stove top and moved to steam table approximately 1 hour ago, discussed with operator who reheated product to 172F and placed back on steam table.
Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Hand washing sink no hot water discussed with operator who turned on water valve.
Dead roaches on premises. Approximately 7 dead roaches inside storage cabinet for single service items. Approximately 2 dead roaches inside AC unit on ceiling. Approximately 4 dead roaches under three compartment sink. Discussed with operator to clean and sanitize areas.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. MFDV flooring has rusted away with holes through the floor making outside ground visible from interior, discussed with operator to repair flooring.
Dec 4, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Apr 15, 2024Inspection 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 ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Operator Ice chest; milk (52F - Cold Holding). Operator stated less then hour and added more ice.
Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observe at 0ppm Operator correct to 75ppm.
Aug 23, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
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.