EL TACAZO #3
26 SW 2 AVE, Florida City FL 33034
Last inspected Jul 27, 2026 · 10 visits since August 2023
JAN 25
OCT 25
FEB 26
APR 26
JUL 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed establishment operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license since Oct 1, 2025. Operator paid license at the time of inspection.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
Jul 27, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate7 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 8 findingsThe state's own report →
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken raw shell eggs stored over shredded cheese. Operator stored products properly at time of inspection
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed plastic container/ metal pan not stored inverted at dry storage located in the back of the establishment. Operator stored items properly.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed clean metal containers stacked together not properly air dried stored at dry storage area.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed some floor tiles at dry storage area, ware washing area in disrepair.
Show the remaining 4 findings ▾
Food stored on floor. Observed 3 container of pork fat stored on floor at walk in freezer. Operator stored products properly at time of inspection.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed exterior of ice machine soiled.
Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed fryer cooking yellow and white container of floor not labeled at dry storage area.
Apr 30, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed at dry storage area.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed white cutting board at reach in cooler across cook line. Observed green cutting at prep table near triple sink.
Floor tiles in disrepair. Observed in the kitchen, dry storage area,and wearwahsing area.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Observed unwashed tomatoes stored over cook beef. Operator stored products properly.
Feb 9, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
5 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed Triple Sink (Chlorine 0ppm). Manager reset Triple Sink (Chlorine 50ppm).
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee putting on gloves and then engaged in plating French fries. No handwash. Coached employee.
Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee handle soiled equipments from the triple sink and then proceeded to prep french fries. No handwash. Coach employee.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cut lettuce (49F - Cold Holding) at reach in cooler near the triple sink. As per manager for less than 2 hours. Manager placed product in ice bath.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed rice (132F - Hot Holding) at steam table. As per manager for less than an hour. Manager voluntarily discarded product.
Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed on top of the steam table where light bulbs are located at rusted.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed ice bin interior soiled.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed multiple floor tiles in disrepair throughout the kitchen and back kitchen.
Food stored on floor. Observed container of oil stored on floor at dry storage area. Manager stored product properly.
No copy of latest inspection report available.
Oct 20, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves and proceeded to touch ready to eat food.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed establishment operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license since Oct 1, 2025. Operator paid license at the time of inspection.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed accumulation of food debris at handwash sink located across the steam table.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed green cutting board at prep table.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler at the cook line.
Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink, three-compartment sink, or mop sink. Observed slow draining water at handwashing sink across steam table.
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed water leaking from faucet at three compartment sink faucet.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed container of sugar not identified by common name. Operator labeled container.
Mar 27, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jan 27, 2025Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 4 recorded.
0 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Establishment packaging time/temperature control for safety food using a reduced oxygen method that does not control the growth of and toxin formation of C. botulinum and the growth of Listeria monocytogenes. Establishment does not have an approved Process Waiver from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Observed pork inside ROP inside the walk in cooler.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed rice and beans inside the walk in cooler not date marked.
Food stored on floor. Observed a bucket with sauce stored in the floor in the walk in cooler. Employee removed it.
Time/temperature control for safety food packaged using a reduced oxygen method without a HACCP plan not properly labeled with the production time and date. Observed cooked pork inside ROP packages.
Oct 31, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 1 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed hose connected at time of inspection.
Oct 31, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Unpackaged food in an unprotected holding unit in a customer/nonsecure area. Observed walk in cooler and walk in freezer is located outside of the establishment in a closed container but with no lock. Employee closed the door.
Feb 26, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 14 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority3 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed employees touching ready to eat tortillas. Employee was coach to wear gloves or to removed the tortillas with tongs.
Food prepared in an unlicensed food truck parked next to the establishment. Observed establishment is cooking food in an unlicensed food truck. The food truck does not have hot water and food is out of temperature. Meats 67° F. See stop sale.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed establishment is cooking food in an unlicensed food truck. The food truck does not have hot water and food is out of temperature. Meats 67° F.
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Observed employee did not provide certification.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Employee was not able to provide any training.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed a bowl used as scoop inside the corn flour.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Food being prepared outside. Observed establishment is cooking food in an unlicensed food truck. The food truck does not have hot water and food is out of temperature.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed a broken lid at the steam table.
In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Observed tongs stored on top of the lettuce container.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler gaskets soiled.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed beef tongue stored next to the 3 compartment sink. Employee removed it.
Unpackaged food in an unprotected holding unit in a customer/nonsecure area. Observed walk in cooler and walk in freezer is located outside of the establishment in a closed container but with no lock. Employee closed the door.
Aug 8, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 12 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
5 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed employee does not sanitize utensils after washing them. Employee was coach how to sanitize the utensils.
Raw animal food stored in same container as ready-to-eat food. Observed raw pork stored on the same container with cooked pork. Operator placed the cooked pork above raw pork.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken stored above raw beef. Employee placed raw chicken at the bottom of the shelf at the walk in cooler.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed rice (49 F - Cold Holding); beef (49 F - Cold Holding) inside the reach in cooler underneath the grill. Employee discarded the food.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed rice (49 F - Cold Holding); beef (49 F - Cold Holding) inside the reach in cooler underneath the grill. Employee discarded the food.
Raw/undercooked animal food offered and establishment has no written consumer advisory. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service. Employee displayed the consumer advisory..
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed beans inside the walk in cooler not date marked. As per employee beans were cooked yesterday.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed a plastic cup used as scoop inside the cheese. Employee removed it.
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. Observed employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation area. Employee placed a lid to the container.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gasket torn in front of the grill.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed at the reach in cooler in front of the grill.
Unpackaged food in an unprotected holding unit in a customer/nonsecure area. Observed walk in cooler and walk in freezer is located outside of the establishment in a closed container but with no lock. Employee closed the door.
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.