EL MERENDON RESTAURANT
20916 S DIXIE HWY, Miami FL 33189
Last inspected Jul 9, 2026 · 12 visits since September 2023
JAN 25
APR 25
AUG 25
JAN 26
JUL 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between B and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
2 cases · $1,280
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1--2017038575 | Jul 14, 2017 | Dec 7, 2017 | $960 |
| 1--2015001103 | Dec 22, 2014 | Mar 19, 2015 | $320 |
Inspection history
12 visits, newest first
Jul 9, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 7 findingsThe state's own report →
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired on Oct 2025.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed at the front counter.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed at the front counter.
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Observed at both restrooms.
Show the remaining 3 findings ▾
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed at the front counter.
Mar 17, 2026Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Observed manager Aldo Ayala with no 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. Observed employees Gloribel S., Ligia H., and Ania H. working for more than two months with not proof of food handler training.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
Garbage can located outside has no lid or lid open/broken.
Missing drain plug at dumpster.
Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Observed single use milk container reuse to stored other beverage inside reach in cooler at front counter.
Jan 14, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 22 recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority5 Intermediate12 Basic
Show 22 findings ▾
Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands.
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed 1 employee engaged in food preparation putting gloves and not washing hands. Employee correct action during inspection.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed Red Beans (53F - Cold Holding); Beef Soup (51F - Cold Holding) inside reach in cooler at kitchen area. As per operator for more than 4 hours.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Red Beans (53F - Cold Holding); Beef Soup (51F - Cold Holding) inside reach in cooler at kitchen area. As per operator for more than 4 hours.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand wash sink block with table at front counter.
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Observed manager Aldo Ayala with no proof of food manager certification.
No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
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. Observed employees Gloribel S., Ligia H., and Ania H. working for more than two months with not proof of food handler training.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed red beans and beef soup container with not date marked inside reach in cooler at kitchen area. As per operator prepared more than 24 hours ago.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
Garbage can located outside has no lid or lid open/broken.
Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed hole on the wall next to triple sink at kitchen area.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer. Observed inside all reach in freezers at kitchen area and front counter.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed inside sugar container at kitchen area.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed microwave soiled with food debris at kitchen area.
Missing drain plug at dumpster.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Observed single use milk container reuse to stored other beverage inside reach in cooler at front counter.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall soiled behind cook line at kitchen area.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed inside storage area.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed 1 wet wiping cloth stored on top of preparation table at kitchen area.
Aug 13, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw chicken stored above lettuce. Manager placed chicken at the bottom of the reach in cooler.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed at the front counter.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed ceiling throughout beans, pork belly and ground beef inside the reach in cooler not date marked. As per manager food were cooked Saturday.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed at the exit door.
Food stored on floor. Observed 3 plastic containers with food ingredients stored on the floor of the dry storage.
Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed by the 3 compartment sink in the kitchen. Also observed at the women's bathroom.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed an opened water no inside the reach in freezer. Manager discarded it.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed mop inside the bucket.
Apr 24, 2025Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 9 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority4 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired on 10-01-2024.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef stored over cheese inside reach in cooler at cook line.
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Provided to operator via email.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked ground beef inside reach in cooler at kitchen entrance no date marked, as per operator for more than 24 hours prior.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor tile in disrepair by preparation table at cook line.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided to operator via email.
Apr 23, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 10 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority4 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired on 10-01-2024.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef stored over cheese inside reach in cooler at cook line.
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Provided to operator via email.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked ground beef inside reach in cooler at kitchen entrance no date marked, as per operator for more than 24 hours prior.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor tile in disrepair by preparation table at cook line.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided to operator via email.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
Jan 2, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw chicken over Cole, and green peppers stored inside reach in cooler located at cooking line. During the inspection employee removed items and placed them correctly.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed 1 coffee cup inside the hand sink, located at front counter. During the inspection employee removed item.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink, located front counter. During the inspection employee provided paper towels.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed Cooked ground beef and beans meatballs held for more than 24 hours with no date marked at reach in cooler, located at cooking line.
Ice buildup in chest freezer, located at dry storage.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
Apr 1, 2024Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 1 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In the cook line observed lentil soup (127 F - Hot Holding); cooked beans (125F - Hot Holding); beef (135F - Hot Holding), as per manager for less than 4 hours, employee reheating food. At front counter in the hot holding unit observed beef empanadas (98F - Hot Holding); cheese tequeños (109F - Hot Holding); cheese arepa (110F - Hot Holding), employee stated food was placed in the unit for less than 4 hours, employee took food to reheat.
Feb 29, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In the cook line observed lentil soup (127 F - Hot Holding); cooked beans (125F - Hot Holding); beef (135F - Hot Holding), as per manager for less than 4 hours, employee reheating food. At front counter in the hot holding unit observed beef empanadas (98F - Hot Holding); cheese tequeños (109F - Hot Holding); cheese arepa (110F - Hot Holding), employee stated food was placed in the unit for less than 4 hours, employee took food to reheat.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed a plastic container stored in the hand sink located at front counter.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed microwave interior soiled.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed employee water bottle in the reach in freezer located in the kitchen.
Reach-in freezer interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed reach in freezer interior soiled at storage area.
Dec 27, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Sep 20, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In White two door reach in cooler observed raw steak over cheese.
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment.
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.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Freezer located in the storage area.
Sep 20, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
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.