LA COCINA BISTRO
900 MARKETPLACE DR, Saint Augustine FL 32086 · 9049079971
Last inspected Jul 31, 2026 · 5 visits since June 2025
JUN 25
AUG 25
APR 26
JUL 26
— STEADY
4 inspections within 8 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within 2 hours. Observed cooked chicken 1100 (81F - Cooling) 1315 left in deep 1/3 pan. See stop sale.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
5 visits, newest first
Jul 31, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 5 findingsThe state's own report →
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed In reach in cooler pico (45-48F - Cold Holding); shredded mozzarella (47-48F - Cold Holding) for less than two hours per person in charge. Person in charge placed in freezer and were cooled to 41F or below by end of inspection.
No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine. Observed no independent way to measure high temperature sanitation machine. Discussed with person in charge.
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. Observed some certifications expired for food handlers.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed chemical spray bottles by ware washing filled with clear liquid missing labels.
Show the remaining 1 finding ▾
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on reach in freezer and reach in cooler in kitchen soiled with black/green mold like substance.
Apr 28, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw burgers over bread. Person in charge moved bread to bottom shelf.
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Milk, creamer opened yesterday not dated. Person in charge dated.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Open drink on prep table. Person in charge removed.
Food stored on floor. Onion on floor. Person in charge picked up onions.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Several pairs of tongs hanging from cooler and racks. Person in charge removed.
In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Wet rag under cutting board. Person in charge removed.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Wet mop in mop bucket. Person in charge hung up to dry.
Aug 8, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within 2 hours. Observed cooked chicken 1100 (81F - Cooling) 1315 left in deep 1/3 pan. See stop sale.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed raw chicken prepared on Saturday (47F - Cold Holding) chicken dropped to 43F - Cold Holding by end of inspection. Discussed cooler procedure and leaving hot covered food in reach in cooler with person in charge.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no hand washing sign, paper towels, and soap at hand washing station by cook line. Person in charge added all three to hand washing station.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no hand washing sign, paper towels, and soap at hand washing station by cook line. Person in charge added all three to hand washing station.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand washing sign, paper towels, and soap at hand washing station by cook line. Person in charge added all three to hand washing station.
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed leaking water from mini split AC in kitchen. Person in charge is aware and has contacted the Toyota for repair
Jun 13, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedLicensing Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jun 5, 2025Warning IssuedLicensing Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 6 recorded.
0 High priority5 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chemical test kit for triple sink
No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine. Observed no measuring device for dish machine
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed both hand washing station missing paper towels. Person in charge placed paper towels at sinks.
No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Operator needs to update plans to reflect the establishment. Dish washer, dry storage was added after plans drawn. Hand washing station 18 is next to dishwasher on opposite wall.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed both hand washing station missing soap Person in charge provided soap to hand washing station.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed both hand washing stations missing signs. Emailed sign to person in charge.
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.