EL RINCONCITO MEXICAN FOOD
2804 N ROOSEVELT BLVD, Key West FL 33040 · 305-587-8616
Last inspected Jul 21, 2026 · 6 visits since April 2024
APR 24
DEC 24
JUL 25
NOV 25
JUL 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed inside glass door cooler flan (50F - Cold Holding). As per operator since the day before.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
6 visits, newest first
Jul 21, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken milanesa over shredded chicken inside reach in cooler across cook line.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee personal cup on prep table next to fryers. Operator removed.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed pair of tongs hanging from oven door handle.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed on cutting board at preparation station.
Jul 20, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 9 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority0 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken milanesa over shredded chicken inside reach in cooler across cook line.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed inside glass door cooler flan (50F - Cold Holding). As per operator since the day before.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed pastor (pork) (48F - Cold Holding); raw chorizo (48F - Cold Holding); fresco cheese (49F - Cold Holding) sweet plantains (46F - Cold Holding) inside reach in cooler at storage area. As per operator for less than 4 hrs. Observed inside glass door cooler flan (50F - Cold Holding). As per operator since the day before. Observed across cook line pico de gallo (49F - Cold Holding); shrimp ceviche (46F - Cold Holding) as per operator door is constantly opened at rush hour.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee personal cup on prep table next to fryers. Operator removed.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed 2 employees engaging in food preparation without hair restraint.
Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed at cook line.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed pair of tongs hanging from oven door handle.
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed water leaking from plumbing under triple sink.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed on cutting board at preparation station.
Nov 12, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 16 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
6 High priority3 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 16 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed cooked beans (50/52F - Cooling); cream soup (51/49F - Cooling) cooked from the day before as per operator, located in reach in cooler.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw shell eggs over raw beef in double door reach in cooler. Operator properly stored it.
Shell eggs in use or stored with cracks or broken shells. See stop sale. Observed cracked shell eggs in the same container of in use shell eggs.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed cooked beans (50/52F - Cooling); cream soup (51/49F - Cooling) cooked from the day before as per operator, located in reach in cooler.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed sweet plantains (112F - Hot Holding) as a double pan on steam table, for less than 4 hours as per operator. Operator placed on grilled to be reheat.
Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed wet wipping towels storage in chlorine sanitation solution odiferous 209 ppm, operator set up the bucket again, recheck 100 ppm.
Certified food manager unable to answer basic Food Code questions pertaining to safe operation of establishment. Manager unable to answer the minimum hit holding temperature.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Quaternary test kit.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked beef, cooked pork, cooked chicken was cooked from more than 24 hours as per operator, with not date marked. Operator provided date marked.
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Water damage at the lobby area.
Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container.
Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employees wearing bracelets, watches while preparing food. Operator removed it.
Equipment and utensils not washed, rinsed and sanitized in the correct order in three-compartment sink. Do not use dishes/equipment not properly sanitized. Observed employees washing dishes with no sanitation step. Operator properly set up the three compartment sink with quaternary sanitation solution of 200 ppm.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tong on oven handles, operator removed it.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood and filter soiled.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed shrimp thawing in standing water in side three compartment sink. Operator placed the shrimp inside reach in cooler.
Jul 22, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs over cooked beef inside reach in cooler in front of mop sink. Operator stored food according to safety protocols.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no Quaternary Test Kit.
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/. Food Manager arrived during Inspection.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked beef and cooked pork not date marked inside reach in cooler in front of cook line. As per Operator meats were cooked last Sunday July 19th, 2025. Operator placed date on containers.
Clean equipment/utensils not stored at least 6 inches above the floor. Observed clean cutting boards stored on kitchen floor. Operator removed cutting boards from floor.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed pots not inverted under steam table in kitchen. Operator inverted pots.
Food stored on floor. Observed oil plastic container stored on kitchen floor. Operator removed container from floor.
In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Observed towel under cutting board on reach in cooler in kitchen.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed inside reach in freezer by kitchen back door.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed sugar container unlabeled by coffee machine. Operator labeled container.
Dec 11, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Observed raw shell eggs at temperature of 69 F (As per owner, for less than 4 hrs). Owner placed them inside the cooler.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Missing training for Guidman Elias, Nelson Paz, Justin Moreno, Eduard Aristegui hired for more than 60 days without training.
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors.
Data plate/operating specifications provided on dishmachine do not match type of sanitizer method in use. Observed chlorine test kit when using quay sanitizer at the 3CS.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed on oven handle. Employee moved it.
Apr 24, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors.
Ceiling tile missing in dry storage room
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.