LA COCINA TAQUERIA
515 E NOBLE AVE, Williston FL 32696
Last inspected Aug 6, 2025 · 8 visits since December 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.
APR 24
JUL 24
JAN 25
MAR 25
AUG 25
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between B and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired 06/01/2024.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
2 cases · $1,200
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5--2019037601 | Jul 12, 2019 | Aug 19, 2019 | $800 |
| 5--2018019089 | Apr 4, 2018 | May 3, 2018 | $400 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Aug 6, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 10 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority3 Intermediate6 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 10 findingsThe state's own report →
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired 06/01/2025.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Interior of ice machine door soiled with lime-like substance.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwash sink beside dish machine blocked by tray containing utensils. Manager removed tray from top of sink during this inspection.
No soap and/or paper towels/mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand soap and towels missing from both handwash sinks in kitchen. Manager replaced both during this inspection.
Show the remaining 6 findings ▾
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. 1. Employee coffee cup sitting directly on top of microwave in prep area. 2. Employee drink can stored on shelf inside reach-in cooler, directly above pans of salsa. Manager removed both drinks from areas during this inspection.
Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Top of reach-in freezer in back of kitchen rusted.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Filters in hood above grill soiled with grease.
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. Leaf blower stored on shelf in back of kitchen, directly above single-use items. Manager removed the leaf blower from the kitchen during this inspection.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Exterior of hood above grill soiled with dust.
Water draining onto floor surface. Drain pipe below dish machine clogged and leaking water onto the floor. Manager stated a plumber has already been called to fix it.
Mar 28, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Backflow prevention device missing after splitter added to mop sink behind building.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee backpack stored on shelf directly above fountain soda syrup at front counter. Manager removed backpack from area during this inspection.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Wet nested clear plastic pans on shelf above three-compartment sink.
Open dumpster lid. Dumpster lid left open beside building.
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. Electric leaf blower and battery charging on top of reach-in freezer in kitchen, near manager's office. Manager removed blower and battery from top of freezer during this inspection.
Unnecessary items/unused equipment on the premises. Unused cooler stored behind storage shed behind building.
Jan 13, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 14 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority7 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Pans containing chicken and beef lined with grocery bags in warming unit near cookline. Employee removed food from bags during this inspection.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired 06/01/2024.
Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee at cookline washed hands in three-compartment sink.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Lime-like buildup on interior of lid on ice machine.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Two large pans containing food stored inside handwashing sink in prep area. Manager removed pans of food from sink during this inspection.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No towels at handwashing sink in prep area. Manager replenished towels during this inspection.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Person in charge unable to locate food handler training for any employees. 1. Person in charge, Jontel Hammond, has been employed since the restaurant opened. 2. Omar Castenada, person in charge stated he has been employed here for approximately five months. *Mari Morales, person in charge stated she has only been employed for two weeks, but will need food handler training within 60 days of hire.
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. Three employees who work with food without food handler training. Person in charge unable to locate proof the employees have been informed of their responsibilities to report symptoms of foodborne illness to the person in charge. Inspector provided person in charge with the employee health reporting agreement during this inspection.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Two large containers filled with green salsa and red salsa missing date marks inside reach-in cooler at cookline. Manager stated the salsa was made two days prior and added proper date mark during this inspection.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. 1. Drink cups on front counter wet nested. 2. Clear plastic containers on shelf in back of kitchen wet nested.
Food stored on floor. Boxed fountain soda syrup stored directly on floor inside exterior storage shed. Manager instructed employee to reorganize the storage shed.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Heavy ice buildup in back of reach-in cooler at cookline.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters over grill soiled with grease.
Plumbing system in disrepair. Handwashing sink near three-compartment sink not functioning.
Jul 9, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 12 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority3 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Employee rubbed hands together for less than 10-15 seconds while washing hands. Employee in prep area cutting raw beef washed hands for less than 10 seconds, the proceeded to put on gloves at the cookline. Manager stopped employee and had employee wash hands for 20 seconds and put on new gloves before continuing to work at cookline.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired 06/01/2024.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In pan on warming table above safe-load line: pork (125F - Hot Holding). Employee stated the pork was placed in pan approximately 10 minutes prior and began reheating the pork to 165F. pork (125F 2:00, 166F 2:15 - Reheating)
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Interior of ice machine lid and surrounding areas soiled with white buildup.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwash sink at dish machine has faucet handles taped and drain pipe removed.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No towels at handwash sink in prep area of kitchen. Employee replaced towels during this inspection.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee purse and phone stored on prep table in back of kitchen beside cutting board. Manager removed both from area during this inspection.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Wet nested drink cups on front counter.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Several cracked and missing floor tiles in prep area in back of kitchen.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with grease.
Plumbing system in disrepair. Pipe removed below handwash sink near dish machine in kitchen.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Floor in corner of kitchen at cookline soiled with grease. Hood interior and exterior above grill soiled with grease and/or food debris.
Jul 9, 2024Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedComplaint Investigation (Partial)
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 1 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee at cookline washed hands, dried hands on pants and shirt, then put on new gloves to begin working at cookline. Inspector had employee stop, wash hands, dry them owith a paper towel, then put on new gloves before continuing to work at cookline.
Apr 19, 2024Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation (Partial)
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 2 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee at cookline washed hands, dried hands on pants and shirt, then put on new gloves to begin working at cookline. Inspector had employee stop, wash hands, dry them owith a paper towel, then put on new gloves before continuing to work at cookline.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Handwash sink in prep area full of dirty dishes. Manager removed dishes from handwash sink during this inspection.
Mar 15, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 17 violations recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority4 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 17 findings ▾
Employee dried hands on clothes/apron/soiled towel after washing. Employee at cookline dried gloved hands on visibly soiled cloth, then proceeded to handle diced onions with same gloves without washing hands. Inspector hand employee wash hands and put on new gloves before continuing to work at cookline.
Evidence of mop/cleaning wastewater dumped onto ground. Grey water on asphalt around two mop buckets near back door to kitchen.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Pan of raw beef stored above queso cheese inside reach-in cooler near cookline. Employee moved raw beef to another cooler during this inspection. Carton of raw shell eggs stored on top of container of strawberries and blueberries inside reach-in cooler in prep area. Employee moved eggs to area below strawberries and blueberries during this inspection.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Large jug of degreaser stored on lower shelf of prep table beside clean pans and near bin containing onions. Employee removed degreaser from shelf during this inspection.
Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Backflow prevention device missing after splitter at mop sink behind building.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwash sink at cookline blocked by storage cart. Handwash sink in prep area inaccessible due to pan of beef thawing in handwash sink. Employee removed cart from front of handwash sink at cookline and removed pan of beef from handwash sink in prep area during this inspection.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Pan of raw beef stored inside handwash sink in prep area of kitchen. Employee removed pan of beef from sink during this inspection.
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/ Four employees working in the kitchen handling food without a certified food manager present.
No soap and/or paper towels/mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No soap at handwash sink behind front counter. No towels at handwash sink in prep area. Employee provided towels for handwash sink in prep area.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Two employee drink cups stored on prep table above clean pans in prep area of kitchen. Employee removed drink cups from table during this inspection.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone and earbuds stored on prep table above clean pans in prep area of kitchen. Employee removed both from table during this inspection.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Gap at bottom of back door to kitchen.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Several cracked and missing tiles on floor in prep area of kitchen.
Perimeter walls and roofs do not effectively protect establishment against environmental cross contamination or the entrance of pests. Window of kitchen left open near three-compartment sink. Window does not have a screen.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Open boxes containing condiments cups and lids stored directly on floor inside storage shed behind building.
Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink, three-compartment sink, or mop sink. Standing water not draining from handwash sink at cookline. Standing water not draining from mop sink behind building.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Pans containing raw beef and raw chicken thawing at room temperature in prep area of kitchen. Employee placed all items into cooler to continue thawing.
Dec 8, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Met inspection standards. 13 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
5 High priority3 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Inside reach-in cooler in prep area: rice (40F - Cooling overnight). Manager stated the rice was cooked the previous day and cooled on the table at room temperature for approximately one hour, then placed into the reach-in cooler where it has stayed overnight. Manager stated the rice has not been in-use.
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. Inside reach-in cooler in prep area: rice (40F - Cooling overnight). Manager stated the rice was cooked the previous day and cooled on the table at room temperature for approximately one hour, then placed into the reach-in cooler where it has stayed overnight. Manager stated the rice has not been in-use.
Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Grocery bag lining rice in steam table at cookline. Manager removed and discarded grocery bag during this inspection.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Pan of raw beef stored above packages of cheese inside reach-in cooler across from cookline. Manager moved raw beef to the bottom shelf during this inspection.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Jug of bleach on shelf beside straws on storage rack in storage shed behind building. Jug of bleach stored on shelf beside bottles of juice and straws below handwash sink behind front counter. Manager removed all chemicals from areas during this inspection.
Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Inside reach-in cooler in prep area: rice (40F - Cooling overnight). Rice was cooled in a very large covered plastic container.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Dishes stored inside handwash sink in prep area. Manager removed dishes from handwash sink during this inspection.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Towels missing from handwash sink in kitchen near cookline. Manager replenished towels during this inspection.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Foam cup without handle used as scoop in seasoning container in kitchen near cookline. Manager discarded scoop during this inspection.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink cup on table beside takeout cups and above refrigerator behind front counter. Manager removed drink cup from area during this inspection.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee keys stored on corner of prep table in prep area above microwave. Manager removed keys from table during this inspection.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood vents above grill soiled with grease.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Exterior of hood above grill dusty.
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.