EL PORTAL RESTAURANTE
3438 W HILLSBORO BLVD, Deerfield Beach FL 33442
Last inspected Aug 19, 2026 · 9 visits since August 2023
SEP 24
JAN 25
AUG 25
DEC 25
AUG 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 18 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. tomatoes (48F - Cold Holding); cut lettuce (48F - Cold Holding) on cook line flip top, cook said they were made in the morning.moved to freezer to cool quickly.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
2 cases · $1,000
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2--2018063677 | Dec 18, 2018 | Feb 5, 2019 | $800 |
| 2--2018056066 | Oct 23, 2018 | Nov 16, 2018 | $200 |
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Aug 19, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. One 88.2 ounce can of red peppers
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwashing sink in kitchen blocked by speed rack. Manager moved rack.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Using bowl instead of scoop for raw rice.
Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Insect device over dishwasher and three compartment sink in kitchen.
Dec 23, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Using paper towels as a food liner for cooked foods. Manager removed paper towels
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. tomatoes (48F - Cold Holding); cut lettuce (48F - Cold Holding) on cook line flip top, cook said they were made in the morning.moved to freezer to cool quickly.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle with clear liquid not labeled. Chef labeled bottle
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Avocados on cook line with stickers, chef removed stickers and washed before cutting.
Aug 13, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Open bottle of water next to food on cookline. Cook discarded bottle
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Avocados with stickers on cook line not washed. Cook washed Andre,over sticker's before cutting
Jan 9, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 1 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Nonfood-grade basting brush used in food.paint brush used as a basting brush is not food grade. Chef discarded brush.
Sep 18, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Three door reach in cooler on cook line is at chicken (51F - Cold Holding); beef (51F - Cold Holding),cooksaid items there since 8:00 am. The cook found out it was unplugged when they moved it this morning. Chef plugged unit back in
Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Lights above the cook line has no shielding for ceiling lights
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Flour not labeled. Cook labeled flour
Jun 27, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedComplaint Investigation
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 2 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In the walk in cooler, the raw eggs were stored over the citrus fruit. The items were switched
Food stored on floor. In the walk in freezer, raw chicken was stored on the floor. The items were moved off of the floor.
May 24, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority3 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Walk in cooler: pork tamal (45F - Cooling) at 2:45 since yesterday 8:00pm; white beans (48F - Cooling at 2:45 since yesterday 8:00pm) At current rate of cooling product did not reach 41F with in 6 hours. See stop sale
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed at flip top cooler - Raw shell eggs stored over cooked pork at cooking line - chest freezer: Beef Patties stored over cheese pastry all items not commercially packaged- Operator stored all products properly
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. Walk in cooler: pork tamal (45F - Cooling) at 2:45 since yesterday 8:00pm; white beans (48F - Cooling at 2:45 since yesterday 8:00pm) At current rate of cooling product did not reach 41F with in 6 hours. See stop sale
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at beverage cooler at front - milk (60F - Cold Holding) Per operator, not prepared or portioned today. Per operator, out of temperature for approximately 2 hours. Operator moved product to walk in cooler.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Scrubbing sponge observed inside handwashing sink at front costumer area. Operator removed sponge.
Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed chemical sprayer bottle without label at front customer area. Advised operator to properly label all chemicals.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed gap at back door; needs weather strip.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Whole chicken thawing in standing water by triple sink. Advised operator to thaw it under running water. Operator thawed properly
Nov 13, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No hand wash sign at hand wash sink in kitchen
Food stored on floor. Box of food on the floor in the walk-in freezer, manager picked up
Aug 10, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 12 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority3 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 12 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. Observed employee conducting ware washing and handling soiled dishes then proceeding to handle clean wares without washing hands. Reviewed proper ware washing hand washing with employee and operator
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw shell eggs stored above unwashed oranges in walk in cooler, operator reorganized
Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed employee crack raw shell eggs with gloved hands, then proceed to wash gloved hands and continue to handle clean utensils. Discussed with operator. Operator instructed employee to remove gloves and wash hands.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. rice (96°F - Hot Holding) in cook line steam table. Operator states item was cooked at 7 am then moved to steam table after cooking. Operator reheated rice to 165°F+
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Ceviche on menu not identified as containing raw item. Operator noted on menu at time of inspection
No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ CFM arrived at time of inspection
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. Observed mondongo in walk in cooler prepared 7-3 and frozen, thawed and not re dated when at refrigeration temperature. Operator date marked
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed throughout
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed in 2 door glass reach in cooler
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed at front hand wash sink
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed on walk in cooler shelving
Stored food not covered. Raw pork in walk in freezer not covered, raw chicken in walk in cooler not covered
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.