ESQUINA MEXICANA
1361 WASHINGTON AVE, Miami Beach FL 33139 · 305-604-5690
Last inspected Apr 29, 2026 · 6 visits since October 2023
MAR 24
OCT 24
APR 25
OCT 25
APR 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections trending up, 23 points better than where it started.
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. Provided to operator via email.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
2 cases · $500
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1--2019046872 | Jul 9, 2019 | May 1, 2020 | $300 |
| 1--2018030975 | May 24, 2018 | Nov 8, 2018 | $200 |
Inspection history
6 visits, newest first
Apr 29, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 8 findingsThe state's own report →
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed old food residue inside HWS at kitchen.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
Show the remaining 4 findings ▾
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at cook line.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gasket at walk in cooler soiled.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
Oct 17, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed hot water shut off at employee handwashing sink at kitchen area.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed ceiling tiles over cook line at kitchen area not smooth and easily cleaned.
Ceiling tile missing. Observed ceiling tile missing over warewashing area.
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair.observed ceiling tile broken over cook line near kitchen entrance.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed gasket at reach in cooler at grill torn.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed at rear exit of kitchen.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gasket at walk in cooler soiled.
Reach-in cooler/Walk-cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed shelves at walk in cooler soiled with mold like substance.
Apr 25, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority4 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
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. Provided to operator via email.
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/
Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Operator replaced.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked pork, cooked beef inside walk in cooler with no date marked. As per employee for more than 24 hours prior.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed cup inside salt container at cook line.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided to operator via email.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets soiled inside reach in cooler at cook line.
Straws provided for customer self-service not individually wrapped or in an approved dispenser. Observed at bar area.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed throughout cook line.
Oct 30, 2024Inspection 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 ▾
Ceiling tile missing. Observed ceiling tiles missing at kitchen above preparation table.
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair.observed ceiling tiles in disrepair at kitchen.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling vents soiled at kitchen.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler gaskets soiled throughout the kitchen.
Mar 13, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 15 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority2 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Pico de Gallo (47F - Cold Holding); Mozzarella cheese (48F - Cold Holding) at reach-in cooler at cookline. As per chef, less than 2 hours. Flip lid was kept open, lid was closed for rapid cooling.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Black beans (125F - Hot Holding); Melted cheese (124F - Hot Holding). As per chef, less than 2 hours. Equipment was tripping breaker, manager was abled to resolved electrical problem. More water was added to equipment for rapid heating.
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand washing sink at back kitchen with frozen packages of meat inside. Staff removed packages.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink at back kitchen area.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured at front counter next to hand washing sink.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed vents and ceiling tiles at back kitchen / preparation area soiled.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed walk-in cooler locking latch in disrepair, door handle in disrepair of upright reach-in cooler at ware washing area, and white chest reach-in freezer gasket in disrepair next to protein walk-in cooler..
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
Food stored on floor. Observed box of tomatoes stored on floor at walk-in cooler.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed protein cooler gaskets soiled.
Observed missing ceiling tiles near walk-in freezer and at ware washing ar
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed frozen shrimp, beef, and fish being thawed at ambient temperature. Staff moved products to be defrosted under running water.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall behind three compartment sink soiled with mold-like substance.
Oct 17, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 18 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority4 Intermediate11 Basic
Show 18 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw fish stored over jalapeños at walk-in cooler.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed Melted cheese (100F - Hot Holding) at cook line steam table. As per employee, been there since yesterday.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Melted cheese (100F - Hot Holding) at cook line steam table. As per employee, been there since yesterday.
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. Provided cleanup procedures via email.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed slicer soiled at kitchen area.
No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Provided person in charge with employee reporting agreements, form was signed by employees present.
Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed hand washing sink hot water at 75 F at ware washing area, ran 5 minutes. Person in charge confirmed they have a plumber coming to fix issue in a day.
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured at front counter next to hand washing sink.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas.
Ceiling tile missing. Observed missing ceiling tiles near walk-in freezer and at ware washing area.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed vents and ceiling tiles at ware washing area soiled.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner at back room near mop sink.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed walk-in cooler locking latch in disrepair and door handle in disrepair of upright reach-in cooler at ware washing area.
Exterior exit door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
Food stored on floor. Observed plastic container of oil stored on floor near walk-in freezer.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided person in charge with choking posted via email.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees at bathroom used by employees.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed boxes of single service containers stored on floor near walk-in 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.