LA CASITA MEXICAN RESTAURANT
773 NE 5 ST, Crystal River FL 34429
Last inspected Apr 16, 2026 · 7 visits since September 2023
FEB 24
AUG 24
FEB 25
DEC 25
APR 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 19 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. shredded cheese (56F - Cold Holding); sour cream (55F - Cold Holding); raw shrimp (57F - Cold Holding); chicken nuggets (57F - Cold Holding); French fries (55F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (57F - Cold Holding); raw pork (58F - Cold Holding)
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
7 visits, newest first
Apr 16, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 findings
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled with an accumulation of food debris.
Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Expired training for Isidro and Rigoberto.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable on reach-in cooler on cook line.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting on storage shelf near dishmachine.
Dec 18, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored over ready-to-eat mayo in walk-in cooler. Employee moved.
3 dead roaches in liquor and dry storage/single service items room. Operator cleaned and sanitized areas.
Feb 19, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. 0ppm. Operator primed machine 100ppm
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw pork stored over dairy products in reach in cooler. Operator corrected shelves.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Chemical spray bottles hung in 3 compartment sink area. Operator labeled.
Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Stickers not removed from avocados before use
Aug 29, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Food-contact surface soiled. Cutting board on reach in cooler in cook line area
Aug 28, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. shredded cheese (56F - Cold Holding); sour cream (55F - Cold Holding); raw shrimp (57F - Cold Holding); chicken nuggets (57F - Cold Holding); French fries (55F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (57F - Cold Holding); raw pork (58F - Cold Holding)
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach in cooler in cook line area. Operator states temperatures were taken at 10am and all food was below 41F. Temperatures taken at 2:08pm.See stop sale. shredded cheese (56F - Cold Holding); sour cream (55F - Cold Holding); raw shrimp (57F - Cold Holding); chicken nuggets (57F - Cold Holding); French fries (55F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (57F - Cold Holding); raw pork (58F - Cold Holding) Moved to freezer to rapidly chill: raw steak (47F - Cold Holding)
Food-contact surface soiled. Cutting board on reach in cooler in cook line area
Equipment in poor repair. Reach in cooler in cook line area ambient temperature 57F
Food stored on floor. Case of eggs in walk in cooler
Nonfood-contact surface soiled. Fan guards in dry storage
Feb 22, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Employee exited through rear kitchen door to outside area, returned to kitchen without proper handwashing. Discussed proper handwashing with operator
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Ashtrays stored in bar area hand wash sink. Operator removed
Reach-in cooler beer cooler in bar area interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues.
Stored food not covered. Peeled, cleaned onions uncovered in Walk-in-Cooler
Sep 6, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Cloth towel in bottom of bus tub with washed/peeled onions. Operator removed.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink and wiping cloths. Operator has chlorine test strips for dish machine, could not locate quat strips for sanitizer buckets and three compartment 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. Operator had employees without SafeStaff training sign during inspection.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Blue liquid in spray bottle not labeled. Operator labeled bottle.
Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty rack. -clean pan storage rack on cook line soiled -clean cutting boards stored behind cooks line hand sink, no splash protection
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Operator displayed license during inspection
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Behind/under equipment on cooks line soiled with grease and food debris
Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
Men's Bathroom located inside establishment without self-closing door.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -fan guards in walk,in cooler and converted dry storage cooler/room -floor fans in kitchen soiled
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
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.