EL PORTAL MAYA RESTAURANT
3001 w COMMERCIAL BLWD, Fort Lauderdale FL 33309 · 9543147921
Last inspected Jul 15, 2026 · 8 visits since December 2023
SEP 24
NOV 24
JUL 25
OCT 25
JUL 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 1 live fling insect on wall by rice cookers. Operator killed cleaned and sanitized wall.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
2 cases · $760
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2--2018025291 | Mar 15, 2018 | May 29, 2018 | $400 |
| 2--2015003283 | Jan 7, 2015 | Feb 11, 2015 | $360 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Jul 15, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority5 Intermediate4 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 11 findingsThe state's own report →
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Tortilla maize stored in direct contact with plastic handle thank you bags, employee moved to food grade bags
Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed employee handle raw steak to put on flat top then proceed to handle single service spoon to salt steak. Instructed employee to remove gloves, wash hands, and replace spoon
Establishment not maintaining clam tags for 90 days. Current batch currently tagged. Discussed with operator
Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. yukka cooling for 10 minutes at 9:20 (120F-130F - Cooling) to 111F at 10:05. Item being cooled at room temperature and based on current cooling rate item will not reach 70 F within 2 hours. Employee moved to walk in freezer to quick chill
Show the remaining 7 findings ▾
Incorrect chemical test kit provided for measuring the concentration of the sanitizer solution used in the three-compartment sink and/or dishmachine. Quaternary test kit provided for chlorine sanitizer.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed at both hand wash sinks on cook line. Operator refilled
Required employee training provided by a third-party employee training program and operator unable to provide original certificate for employees trained.
Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Observed cut avocados with sticker. Discussed with operator
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed at 3 door stainless reach in cooler on cook line
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed at cook line flip tops
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris. Observed in prep area
Oct 13, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chlorine test strips.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed tamales per operator prepared 10/09/2025 not date marked. Operator date marked.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense (rice,sugar and salt) food.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed single serve aluminum serving dishes not stored inverted or in a protected manner on storage shelf.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Walk-in freezer floor has ice buildup.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on flat top In-use utensil (tongs)stored in standing water temperature 80F
Interior of refrigerator or freezer in disrepair/has exposed insulation. Atosa reach in freezer middle door foam insulation exposed
Stored food not covered. Observed chicharron not covered in walk-in cooler. Operator covered.
Jul 10, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Interior of refrigerator or freezer in disrepair/has exposed insulation. Observed middle reach in freezer door has exposed insulation
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Small flip top front counter.
Jul 9, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 12 recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over canned/bottled drinks. Observed raw chicken breast stored over beer bottles in walk-in cooler. Operator stored correctly.
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw beef stored over fish in reach in freezer not all products commercially packaged. Employee stored correctly..
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Display case; flan pc (55F - Cold Holding); sour cream pc (55F - Cold Holding) Tres leche (55F-Cold Holding) per employee held in cooler overnight.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed raw beef (55F - Cold Holding) per operator held out of temperature less than 3 hours. Employee placed in walk in cooler. Observed in small flip top at front counter milk (55F - Cold Holding) per employee held out of temperature less than three hours. Employee moved to walk in cooler Observed in front counter display case. Display case; flan pc (55F - Cold Holding); sour cream pc (55F - Cold Holding) Tres leche (55F-Cold Holding) per employee held in cooler overnight. See stop sale
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Located by prep sink
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed styrofoam cup with no handle in grated cheese in flip top cooler. Employee removed
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed open water bottle on slip top shelf on cook line out. Employee removed
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Walk-in feeder floor
Interior of refrigerator or freezer in disrepair/has exposed insulation. Observed middle reach in freezer door has exposed insulation
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Small flip top front counter.
Soiled dry wiping cloth in use. On cook line.
Stored food not covered. Observed cooked ribs not covered in walk-in cooler Employee covered.
Nov 1, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 15 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
5 High priority3 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Observed employee crack raw shell eggs than handle ready to eat food lettuce leaves without washing hands. Explained to manager proper hand washing technique. Employee washed hands
Employee dried hands on clothes/apron/soiled towel after washing. Observed employee dry hands on clothes/apron/soiled towel after washing. Explained to manager proper hand washing technique
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed on cook line flip top drawer raw beef over avocados. Employee placed beef in lower drawer.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food prepared from/mixed with ingredient(s) at ambient temperature not cooled to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 4 hours. Observed bean pork and cheese mix (47F - ambient Cooling); cheese and beans (47F - ambient Cooling)in flip top cooler. Per manager items prepared at 9:00 am.
Time/temperature control for safety food prepared from/mixed with ingredient(s) at ambient temperature not cooled to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 4 hours. Observed bean pork and cheese mix (47F - ambient Cooling); cheese and beans (47F - ambient Cooling)in flip top cooler. Per manager prepared at 9:00 am. See stop sale
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed ladle in hand washing sink in the rear of kitchen. Manager removed
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chlorine test strips manager could not locate.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand washing sink in the rear of the kitchen. No paper towels at hand washing sink on the cook line.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed right side interior of ice machine accumulation of black/green mold-like substance. Employee cleaned and sanitized.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed bowl with no handle used to dispense chicken base
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed plates on top shelf of cook line not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Employee inverted
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses on cook line.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris on cook line.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed employee beverage with straw on the shelf in the walk-in freezer. Employee removed
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed multiple wet wiping cloths on prep table in the rear of the kitchen not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Employee removed
Sep 11, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink on cook line.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
Interior of refrigerator or freezer in disrepair/has exposed insulation. Observed on atosa reach in freezer middle and right doors has exposed insulation
Mar 8, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 1 live fling insect on wall by rice cookers. Operator killed cleaned and sanitized wall.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed container of pooled eggs over sliced cabbage and onions. Operator inverted
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Container of corn starch in front of hand washing sink next to prep sink
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chlorine test strips.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed a bowl or other container with no handle used to for cooked chicken. Operator removed
Food stored on floor. Plastic containers of soy sauce on floor in kitchen operator elevated.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed frozen swai fillets sitting on prep sin at room temperature
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall by rice cooker soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed wet mop wet nesting in mob bucket.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Squeeze bottle of sesame oil not labeled on cook line Observed container of salt removed from original container not identified by common name. Operator identified
Dec 19, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired December 1, 2023. Operator renewed license during inspection.
Raw animal food not separated from ready-to-eat food during preparation. Observed raw chicken next to cooked shrimp in prep cooler at cook line. Operator removed.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand washing sink clogged with rice at front cook line.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chlorine test kit on premises.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed single serve trays not inverted. Operator turned containers over.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed wet mop, not in use, sitting in mop bucket.
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.