EL NICA MEX RESTAURANT
22 NE 15 ST, Homestead FL 33030 · 305.246.2122
Last inspected Jan 5, 2026 · 6 visits since July 2023
FEB 24
NOV 24
MAR 25
OCT 25
JAN 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections trending down, 14 points off where it started.
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 →
Inspection history
6 visits, newest first
Jan 5, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate9 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 11 findingsThe state's own report →
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. cut tomatoes (48F - Cold Holding) at prep table across cook line. For less than 3 hours. Observed yellow rice (49F - Cold Holding) at reach in cooler near the three compartment sink. For less than 3 hours. Operator discarded products.
Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed on dry food and dish racks.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed bowl used to dispense yellow rice at cook line. Operator removed bowl.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed plastic containers stacked together not properly air-dried at shelves in the back of the kitchen.
Show the remaining 7 findings ▾
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed in chest freezer.
In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Observed In-use utensil stored with handle touching pico de gallo at walk in cooler. Operator removed utensil.
Missing drain plug at dumpster.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Observed no choking poster. Provided operator with poster via email.
No copy of latest inspection report available.
Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed in reach in at front counter.
Stored food not covered. Observed multiple buckets with food stored in walk in cooler not covered. Operator covered products.
Oct 21, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority2 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed in reach in across warewash: cooked rice (51F - Cooling). As per operator, made previous night.
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. Observed in reach in across warewash: cooked rice (51F - Cooling). As per operator, made previous night.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
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. Observed no form or kit; inspector provided via email.
Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed on dry food and dish racks.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed in chest freezer.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed spatula stored between sink and wall in warewash. Operator removed during inspection.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Observed no poster; inspector provided via email.
No copy of latest inspection report available. Observed no copy onsite.
Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed in reach in at front counter.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed stained walls in warewash area.
Mar 27, 2025Inspection 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 ▾
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw shell eggs stored above pork fat. Employee placed eggs at the bottom.
In-use spatulas stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Employee removed them.
Nov 14, 2024Inspection 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 ▾
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed a sanitizer bucket stored next to utensils at the front counter. Employee placed it at the bottom.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed Jamaica beverage not date marked inside the reach in cooler. As per employee it was cooked over 24 hrs ago.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in freezer lid is broken.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed a broken container stored in the shelf. Employee discarded it.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer.
Soiled dry wiping cloth in use. Observed on the preparation table. Employee removed it.
Feb 2, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed Jamaica beverage stored inside the reach in cooler not date marked. As per operator cooked 2 days ago.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Observed license displayed expired Oct 2023.
Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed 3 tongs stored on oven door handle. Employee removed them.
Jul 12, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed stuffed jalapeños (48 F - Cold Holding); beef (47 F - Cold Holding). As per operator stuffed jalapeños were cooked 2 days ago, and the beef was outside for a while. Operator placed beef inside reach in freezer and discarded stuffed jalapeños.
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed a hose was connected at the time of the inspection.
In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Observed ice scoop was stored on dirty surface. Operator placed ice scoop inside a bucket.
Stored food not covered. Observed cooked pork and cooked tongue or covered at the walk in cooler. Operator covered the food.
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.