EL PEPIAN RESTAURANTE INC
426 N DIXIE HWY, Lake Worth FL 33460
Last inspected Jul 23, 2026 · 8 visits since February 2024
SEP 24
FEB 25
AUG 25
DEC 25
JUL 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 18 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired December 1, 2025. Operator renewed license during inspection
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $200
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2--2025067069 | Aug 13, 2025 | Oct 2, 2025 | $200 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Jul 23, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 5 findingsThe state's own report →
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Nonfood-grade thank you shopping bags used to stored tamale corn husks in reach in freezer.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. cooked rice (123F - Hot Holding) in rice cooker for less than 3 hours. Operator opted to place item on time. Operator time marked.
Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. cooked rice (100F - Cooling for 15 minutes at 2:20, 100F at 2:40) cooling in deeply filled covered container on kitchen prep table. At current rate of cooling item will not reach 70F within required two hour window. Operator removed top and mixed item to increase cooling rate.
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. No ambient thermometer in dry storage area egg cooler.
Show the remaining 1 finding ▾
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Working container of salt not labeled at kitchen storage rack.
Dec 17, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired December 1, 2025. Operator renewed license during inspection
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In reach in chest freezer by front counter, raw chicken stored on top of raw beef. Not commercially packaged.
Oct 13, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Aug 13, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority4 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. At kitchen at freezer chest, cooked corn stored in direct contact of Thank you bags.
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand sink blocked by trash can. Operator moved trash can.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chemical test strips for chlorine sanitizer.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. At kitchen reach in cooler, several food items-cooked chicken, cooked rice, soup, beans, per operator was prepared and stored over 24 hours without proper date marking. Advised operator that all foods prepared onsite and held over 24 hours require proper date marking.
Plumbing system in disrepair. At kitchen, 3 compartment sink in disrepair.
Stored food not covered. At kitchen reach in cooler, food-Cooked chicken, cooked rice, soup, stored uncovered. Advised operator all foods stored has to be covered.
Feb 19, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority3 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Storing open butter in thank you to go bag. Explained.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef bag in contact with cooked beef bag in chest freezer. Operator moved the cooked meat bag.
Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. boiled potatoes 107 f at 11:25 am.as per manager cooling 1/2 hour. Second temperature 107 f at 11:45 am. At this rate of cooling it will not reach 135 f to 70 f within 2 hours. Operator removed the water and put ice on top.third temperature 64 f at 12:38 pm
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. Employee working 55 days. Provided the form.employee signed.
Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Rice drink, wheat drink, chicken prepared 2 days ago not date marked. Explained. Employee marked the date on all.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Round bowl used to scoop cooked rice. Manager removed the bowl.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Female purse stored with clean plates. Manager removed the purse.
Food stored on floor. Water bottle case stored on floor in not in use walk in cooler. Manager moved water to the shelf.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Scoop handle in contact with flour. Employee stored handle above flour.
Sep 16, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority4 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Thank you grocery bags storing raw chicken in freezer chest in dining room
Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. cooked rice (64F - Cooling) at 11:30 am to 64F at 11:47 am since 7 am. In large plastic container. At this rate food will not cool to 41F within 4 hours. Instructed operator to break food down into smaller portions.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Sanitizer bucket in hand sink Removed
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Quatanary
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.
Mar 19, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority3 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Female employee was using phone then put on gloves to handle food in reach in cooler to prepare the order prior to washing hands.
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Raw beef stored in thank you to go plastic bag. Explained to wrap with food grade plastic film then put in the bag or use food grade bag.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. rice 125 f hot holding. Advised to reheat to 165 f
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. Emailed one.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Green bucket and large container of dish soap stored in hand sink and buckets of raw beef and chicken stored on floor in front of hand sink by three compartment sink. Manager removed all
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. One employee hired within last 30 days. Explained and emailed food employee reporting agreement
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Green scoop handle in contact with sugar in the large bin. Stored handle above sugar.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw beef thawing in standing water in container on floor in front of hand sink. Raw chicken thawing at room temperature in a container on floor in front of hand sink by three compartment sink. Beef 34 f, chicken 30 f.Explained and manager moved both to reach in cooler
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Flour. Manager labeled.
Feb 20, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. cooked beans (47F - Cooling); cooked chicken (47F - Cooling) in reach in coolers. Not prepped or portioned today. In unit since yesterday. Food did not reach 41F within 6 hours. Covered in large containers.
Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Thank you grocery bags storing meat in freezer chest
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. cooked beans (47F - Cooling); cooked chicken (47F - Cooling) in reach in coolers. Not prepped or portioned today. In unit since yesterday. Food did not reach 41F within 6 hours. Covered in large containers.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle with pot of soup on shelf Raid insect spray with spices
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Quantanary
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cellphone on prep table
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.