EL TROPICO CUBAN CUISINE
17020 COLLINS AVE, North Miami Beach FL 33160 · 305.903.5277
Last inspected Dec 29, 2025 · 8 visits since October 2023
AUG 24
FEB 25
MAY 25
JUL 25
DEC 25
— STEADY
5 inspections within 12 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. As of 10/1/23.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $400
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1--2015033654 | Jul 28, 2015 | Jan 8, 2016 | $400 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Dec 29, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn.
Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
Interior of reach in cooler in disrepair and has exposed insulation.
Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Dec 23, 2025Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 8 recorded.
0 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Handwash sink in kitchen area not accessible for employee use at all times due to utensils being stored inside. Chef removed.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn.
Establishment charging automatic gratuity without properly disclosing the information on all menus. Observed information only printed on back of printed breakfast menu, bill and on digital menu "FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE 18% WILL BE INCLUDED FOR PARTIES OF 5 OR MORE PLEASE FEEL FREE TO INCREASE OR DECREASE AT YOUR DISCRETION" and "WE IMPOSE A PRICE ADJUSTMENT ON NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS THAT IS NOT GREATER THAN OUR COST OF ACCEPTANCE." Info not on printed dinner or lunch menu. Advised manager that information needs to be on all menus. Manager called graphic designer to reprint menu with information.
Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
Interior of reach in cooler in disrepair and has exposed insulation.
Observed can with no handle used to dispense dry rice.
Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Jul 21, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed the following temperatures greater than 41°F; tomatoes (53F - Cold Holding); raw beef (50F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (50F - Cold Holding); sausage (51F - Cold Holding) All were located in kitchen reach in cooler. Cooler had an ambient temperature of 69°F. Per manager food had only been in cooler for about an hour. Manager instructed employee to move all foods to a near by cooler and called maintenance to repair.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed can used to dispense dry rice. Advised manager and he discarded.
Clean pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner.
Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Cooler had an ambient temperature of 69°F. Per manager food had only been in cooler for about an hour. Manager instructed employee to move all foods to a near by cooler and called maintenance to repair.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
Observed reach in cooler Interior has exposed insulation.
Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
May 9, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn.
Food stored on floor. Observed raw fish stored on floor in kitchen area. Chef moved to reach in cooler.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
Interior of refrigerator or freezer in disrepair/has exposed insulation.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw fish thawing in standing water.
Feb 10, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken stored over cooked chicken. Manager rearranged.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed utensils stored in hand washing sink. Also, observed employee rinsing wiping cloths in hand washing sink.
Nonfood-grade basting brush used in food.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn.
Interior of refrigerator in disrepair and has exposed insulation.
Observed oranges not washed prior to juicing. Oranges are stored in the box they are delivered in.
Aug 20, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Located in kitchen area.
Nonfood-grade basting brush used in food.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment.
Interior of refrigerator in disrepair and has exposed insulation.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler.
Mar 5, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken being stored on top of raw beef. Located in reach cooler.
Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged raw salmon bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee keys being stored on prep shelf in kitchen area.
Food stored on floor. Observed various foods being stored on floor in walk in freezer.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Located between hand washing sink and stem table. Chef removed.
Reach-in cooler interior has accumulation of soil residues.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw ground beef thawing in a bucket of standing water. Located on side of 3 compartment sink.
Oct 2, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed raw chicken being stored in non food grade bags. Located in walk in freezer.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. As of 10/1/23.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken being stored on top of cooked chicken. Located in kitchen reach in cooler.
Nonfood-grade basting brush used in food.
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
Clean pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner.
Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged salmon bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Located between steam table and hand washing sink.
In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board.
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.