EL TORO NEGRO MEXICAN GRILL CANTINA CORP
5780 54 AVE N, Kenneth City FL 33709 · 7277235762
Last inspected May 11, 2026 · 10 visits since December 2023
APR 24
DEC 24
APR 25
DEC 25
MAY 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections trending up, 22 points better than where it started.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. 2-1-26 establishment open and operating a service to the general public.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $640
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2024023748 | Apr 19, 2024 | Aug 20, 2024 | $640 |
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
May 11, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate6 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 7 findingsThe state's own report →
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water beverage container next to bowls on prep table at cook line. Employee discarded
Faucet/handle missing at plumbing fixture. Cold faucet handle missing at hand sink at entrance of kitchen
Food stored on floor. Box of avocados on floor under dry storage.
Ice buildup in three door reach in reach-in freezer behind bar area,
Show the remaining 3 findings ▾
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. At cook line
Stored food not covered. Rice in back shelves near glass door cooler uncovered
- From initial inspection : Back near restrooms Marked exit to marked exit blocked with religious statues. For reporting purposes only.
May 7, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 12 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority4 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Evidence of mop/cleaning wastewater dumped onto ground. Mop sink full of dirt.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. 2-1-26 establishment open and operating a service to the general public.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Wheel cart and clean dishes into hand wash sink at bar. Employee moved
Lack of toilet tissue at each toilet. Women restroom, paper replaced
No sanitizer of any kind available for warewashing. Establishment is open and operating and serving to the general public. Establishment went to store to get chlorine. Establishment only has three compartment sink for wear washing.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Glass door reach in cooler 1) cooked mushrooms 2) cooked potatoes 3) cooked ground beef
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water beverage container next to bowls on prep table at cook line. Employee discarded
Faucet/handle missing at plumbing fixture. Cold faucet handle missing at hand sink at entrance of kitchen
Food stored on floor. Box of avocados on floor under dry storage.
Ice buildup in three door reach in reach-in freezer behind bar area,
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. At cook line
Stored food not covered. Rice in back shelves near glass door cooler uncovered
Back near restrooms Marked exit to marked exit blocked with religious statues. For reporting purposes only.
Dec 5, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority5 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Chlorine sanitizer in spray bottle not at proper minimum strength. Chlorine sanitizer bucket testing at 10 PPM. Employee added chlorine to bucket and chlorine is now testing at 50 PPM.
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 person in charge DBPR Clean up of Vomit and Diarrhea (5030-104) form.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled with dried food debris. Stained cutting boards on reach in deli coolers.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Push cart storing clean dishes blocking access to hand sink in bar area. Employee moved cart.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Missing at hand sink next to back kitchen door.
Soap dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense soap. Soap dispenser at hand sink in bar area. Bottle of soap was stocked at the hand sink.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. No license posted.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Grooved cutting boards on reach in deli coolers.
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. Stored on shelf above microwave.
Faucet/handle missing at plumbing fixture. Cold faucet handle missing at hand sink at entrance of kitchen.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. At bottom of single door reach in deli cooler next to hot holding unit on cook line.
Jun 23, 2025Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 6 violations recorded.
0 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cuttings boards soiled with food debris
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.
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. License displayed 2-1-2022
Faucet/handle missing at plumbing fixture. Cold water faucet at hand sink missing handle.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Coffee filters not covered.
Apr 17, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 9 recorded.
0 High priority4 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
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/ 3-2020
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cuttings boards soiled with food debris
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Metal rank in front of hand sink at bar area. Employee moved racked
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.
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. License displayed 2-1-2022
Faucet/handle missing at plumbing fixture. Cold water faucet at hand sink missing handle.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Coffee filters not covered.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food in stand up cooler.
Feb 24, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards stained on deli reach in cooler on cook line, can opener soiled on cook line,
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior office machine black mold like debris interior.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. 2-1-2022 license displayed.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on cutting board of deli reach in cooler.
Faucet/handle missing at plumbing fixture. Cold water faucet at hand sink missing handle.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Reach in freezer on cook line has build up of ice.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Interior of microwave soiled
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No hand wash sign at hand sink in kitchen. Provided sign to operator. He displayed.
Dec 16, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 16 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority5 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 16 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. verde sauce (44F - Cold Holding); pico de gallo (45F - Cold Holding). Employee moved to reach in freezer for quick chill. Pico retemped at 37F and verdesauce 38F
Establishment using food additives or adding components such as vinegar as a method of food preservation or to make the food not time/temperature control for safety without an approved Process Waiver from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Raw sausage of beef and pork with added spices and vinegar for flavoring kept at room temperature of 70 F.
Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Cooling sausage and vinegar mixture at room temperature. Employee states it's been out for 1 hour at 70 F and moved to walk in cooler.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards stained on deli reach in cooler on cook line, can opener soiled on cook line,
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand sink blocked at bar by rack. Employee removed rack.
No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at hand sink in bar area. Employee replaced soap.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior office machine black mold like debris interior.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. 2-1-2022 license displayed.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on cutting board of deli reach in cooler.
Faucet/handle missing at plumbing fixture. Cold water faucet at hand sink missing handle.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Standing water on floor in kitchen near 3 compartment sink.
Food stored on floor. Soda bag in box stored on the floor in the storage room.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Reach in freezer on cook line has build up of ice.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Interior of microwave soiled
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No hand wash sign at hand sink in kitchen. Provided sign to operator. He displayed.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. White powder removed from original container. Employee labeled flour.
Apr 19, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 20 violations recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority4 Intermediate12 Basic
Show 20 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observe employee leave kitchen then return and donned gloves and begin engaging in food preparation touching clean utensils without washing hands. Discussed with operator proper hand-hygiene techniques.
Establishment using a sanitizer solution that does not meet the requirements specified in 40 CFR 180. Only use single-service items to serve food to customers until approved sanitizer is available for warewashing. Establishment using chlorine sanitizer that states for house-hold use laundry. Operator sent employee to store to purchase correct chlorine sanitizer.
Raw animal food stored over canned/bottled drinks. Raw shell eggs stored above canned alcoholic beverages in upright refrigerator in wait station area.
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Water hose connected to faucet outside in rear of establishment without vacuum breaker.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Wiping cloth bucket stored inside of bowl of hand wash sink near rear exit door in kitchen. Operator removed from bowl of hand wash sink.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink in kitchen. Operator provided paper towels.
No soap provided at handwash sink next to three-compartment sink. Operator provided hand soap.
Spray bottle hanging on shelf above three-compartment containing toxic substance not labeled. Operator labeled spray bottle.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Single-serve bowl without handle used as scoop in a container of sugar and rice on bottom shelf in dry-storage area.
Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty drawer or rack. Clean knives are stored in dirty knife rack on shelf in kitchen.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Displaying expired license 02-01-2022.
Cutting boards on reach-in coolers on cooks line has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting on shelf in kitchen.
Equipment and utensils not washed, rinsed and sanitized in the correct order in three-compartment sink. Do not use dishes/equipment not properly sanitized. Employee rinsing pots and pans after sanitizing. Discussed with operator proper warewashing procedures. Will email DBPR Form 5025-010. Manual Dishwashing Procedure.
Equipment and utensils rinsed after the application of the sanitizer solution. Observed employee washing pots and pans in three-compartment sink rinsing pots and pans after sanitizing. Discussed with operator proper warewashing procedures. Will email DBPR Form 5025-010. Manual Dishwashing Procedure.
Equipment in poor repair. Bottom shelf of prep table is rusted in kitchen.
No mop sink or curbed cleaning facility provided at establishment.
Reach-in coolers in cooks line interior have accumulation of soil residues.
Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Sour cream containers reused to store minced garlic and jalapeños in reach-in cooler next to stove top.
Soiled dry wiping cloths are stored on top of cutting boards on reach-in coolers on cooks line.
Feb 12, 2024Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 11 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority4 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Water hose connected to faucet on rear outside next to back door without vacuum breaker.
Certified food manager unable to answer basic questions about allergens. Will email DBPR form 5030-038 8 major allergen poster.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink in kitchen near prep table. Operator placed paper towels at hand wash sink.
No soap provided at handwash sink near rear exit of kitchen. Operator placed soap at hand wash sink.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled spray bottle on rack above three-compartment sink containing chemicals not labeled.
All cutting boards in kitchen has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Equipment in poor repair. Bottom shelf of prep table in kitchen is rusted. Reach-in cooler next to oven, top door is broken. Foods maintaining temps of 41f and below.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees in men's restroom. Will,email DBPR Form 5030-111 employee hand wash sign.
No mop sink or curbed cleaning facility provided at establishment. Establishment is dumping mop water into grease trap.
Reach-in coolers on cooks line and at wait station interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler next to steam table in kitchen.
Dec 6, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 22 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority7 Intermediate13 Basic
Show 22 findings ▾
Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Reading 0ppm. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Operator added chlorine sanitizer. Re check 50ppm
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Water hose connected to faucet on rear outside next to back door without vacuum breaker.
Certified food manager unable to answer basic questions about allergens. Will email DBPR form 5030-038 8 major allergen poster.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink in wait station area blocked by a container of glasses.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink bowl filled with pan lids in wait station area. Operator removed pan lids.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink in kitchen near prep table. Operator placed paper towels at hand wash sink.
No soap provided at handwash sink near rear exit of kitchen. Operator placed soap at hand wash sink.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Walk-in cooler items prepared more than 24 hours ago. a. Cooked ground beef b. Cooked pork c. Cooked shrimp
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled spray bottle on rack above three-compartment sink containing chemicals not labeled.
All cutting boards in kitchen has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowls without handle used as a scoop in a container of sugar, flour, and beans on dry-storage bottom shelf. Operator removed bowls.
Clean equipment/dishware/utensils stored next to handwash/food preparation sink exposed to splash. Clean glasses stored next to hand wash sink in wait station area is exposed to splash.
Damaged/spoiled/recalled food not properly segregated. Cracked raw shell egg in container in reach-in cooler on cooks line. Operator discarded cracked egg. Stop Sale not warranted.
Equipment in poor repair. Bottom shelf of prep table in kitchen is rusted. Reach-in cooler next to oven, top door is broken. Foods maintaining temps of 41f and below.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave used more than 24 hours ago soiled with food debris.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees in men's restroom. Will,email DBPR Form 5030-111 employee hand wash sign.
No mop sink or curbed cleaning facility provided at establishment. Establishment is dumping mop water into grease trap.
Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Observed employee cutting unwashed red potatoes on prep table. Discussed washing potatoes before cutting with operator. Employee washed potatoes, cleaned and sanitized cutting board, washed hands and placed gloves on.
Reach-in coolers on cooks line and at wait station interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler next to steam table in kitchen.
Stored food not covered. 8 quart container of salt is not covered on shelf next to stand-alone freezer in kitchen.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. 8 quart container of salt removed from original packaging not labeled on shelf next to stand-alone freezer.
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.