LA CARIDAD RESTAURANT
3690 NW 54 ST, Hialeah FL 33142
Last inspected Aug 28, 2025 · 5 visits since November 2023
□ Not on the state's active licence list
This licence isn't in DBPR's current active file, which usually means the business has closed, been sold, or let the licence lapse. Everything below belongs to this licence, not to whoever may be trading here now. The history stays public because it is a public record.
NOV 23
MAR 24
JUL 24
JAN 25
AUG 25
— STEADY
5 inspections within 23 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Observed employee starting to work with no handwashing.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
5 visits, newest first
Aug 28, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 12 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority3 Intermediate6 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 12 findingsThe state's own report →
Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed chlorine sanitizer at 400ppm at 3 compartment sink. Operator diluted sanitizer to 100ppm.
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee with no gloves by front counter restocking, come to kitchen and put gloves on with no handwashing. Coached employee on handwashing.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed Chicken over shrimp inside reach in cooler.
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/ Observed manager certificate for Laritza Gomez Ponce Expired on 07-08-20.
Show the remaining 8 findings ▾
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at handwashing sink. Operator placed paper towels onsite.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed chicken inside reach in cooler with no date marking.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling tiles and vents soiled throughout establishment.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed excessive cuts on cutting boards in kitchen.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor tiles in disrepair throughout kitchen.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed soiled interior of microwave.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled gaskets on reach in cooler.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed soiled walls throughout kitchen.
Jan 27, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 20 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority5 Intermediate12 Basic
Show 20 findings ▾
Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Observed employee starting to work with no handwashing.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken stored on top of raw beef and raw pork inside the reach in cooler. Operator placed them in the correct positions after providing correct information.
Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed sanitizer solution 200PPM or above. Operator added more water to sanitizer and solution is now at 100PPM.
Employee has not received adequate training related to their assigned duties as evidenced by the inability to answer basic food safety questions. Observed person in charge not knowing how to calibrate thermometer. Informed her of how to properly calibrate it.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed at cook line containers accumulated with food debris.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed metal container inside handwashing sink. Operator removed it immediately.
Probe thermometer not used to ensure proper food temperatures of cooked time/temperature control for safety food.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened/prepared, frozen and then thawed and held at refrigeration temperature not properly date marked. Observed rice and chicken thawing with no date marking. As per operator the food was made more than 24hours ago. Operator placed date marking.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed excessive accumulation of grease on kitchen equipment door handles.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting board with excessive cut marks and soiled.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee put on hair restraint.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor in kitchen area in disrepair.
Floors not constructed to be easily cleanable. Observed floors in kitchen area with excessive cracks not easily cleaned.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed excessive accumulation of grease in oven in kitchen area.
Mop sink completely inaccessible at the time of inspection.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled gaskets throughout the reach in coolers and reach in freezers. Also observed soiled Hood system above kitchen area. And Soap dispenser next to handwash sink is soiled.
Open dumpster lid.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw chicken being thawed in ambient temperature in the kitchen. Informed operator and she immediately placed it inside reach in cooler.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed accumulated grease on wall in kitchen area.
Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean.
Jul 24, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 13 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority4 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed cooked rice stored in non food grade bags stored in reach in cooler.
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. Printed and provided during inspection.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed interior of reach in coolers and freezers in kitchen soiled.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed at kitchen hand sink.
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. Printed and provided during inspection.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
Mop sink or curbed cleaning facility provided at establishment blocked / inaccessible.
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed at reach in coolers near cook line.
No container installed for catching grease from hood drip tray.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler gaskets soiled. Observed exterior of reach in cooler soiled. Observed cook line soiled with accumulated grease.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed chicken thawing at room temperature at three compartment sink.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed throughout kitchen area.
Mar 12, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 18 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate15 Basic
Show 18 findings ▾
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. -spray bottle of windex and can of paint stored on shelf above reach-in cooler, operator relocated
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. -inside of ice machine has an accumulation of debris, operator cleaned
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. -handwash sink in front counter area used as dump sink, ice present -handwash sink in kitchen used to store clean food containers, employee removed
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. -operator received via email during inspection and posted
Dishmachine not washing/rinsing properly. Must wash, rinse and sanitize all dishware, equipment and utensils in three-compartment sink until dishmachine is functioning properly. -operator states high temp dishmachine leaking during operation, employees are sanitizing food contact surfaces in the triple sink in the kitchen using chlorine sanitizer
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. -employee cell phone stored in silverware tray, employee removed
Equipment in poor repair. -reach-in cooler in hallway gasket torn
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. -significant accumulation of grease and food debris on floor underneath and behind cooking equipment
Floors not constructed to be easily cleanable in rear kitchen.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. -one set of tongs hanging off oven door handle, employee removed
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. -scoop handle in sugar, operator removed
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. -lower portion of reach-in cooler in hallway
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -hood filters soiled -reach-in cooler gaskets soiled throughout kitchen -exterior of reach-in cooler in front service area and throughout the kitchen have an accumulation of food debris, employee cleaned
Plumbing system in disrepair. -triple sink faucet drips continuously while not in use
Storage of maintenance equipment/tools in areas that may result in cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens and/or single-service and single-use articles. -hammer and other hardware stored on shelf above reach-in cooler, operator relocated
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. -wall behind cooking equipment has an accumulation of grease and food debris
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. -multiple wet wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer solution
Nov 14, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 17 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority4 Intermediate11 Basic
Show 17 findings ▾
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 cheese (69F - Cold Holding); shell eggs (69F - Cold Holding). As per the manager the items were put in the reach in for breakfast service.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cheese (69F - Cold Holding); shell eggs (69F - Cold Holding). As per the manager the items were put in the reach in for breakfast service.
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. Form provided.
No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed in the kitchen.
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. Form provided.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed at several reach in cooler and upright freezers.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed the reach in cooler at the cook line not cooling. Observed the preparation reach in cooler gaskets torn.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed in the ice machine. The manager inverted the scoop handle upright.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed on the oven at the cook line. The manager removed the tongs.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed in a container of sugar. The cook moved the handle.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed in the microwave.
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the reach in cooler gaskets soiled.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed at the front counter area and kitchen.
Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed at the front counter.
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.