LA ESCONDIDA
186 ARORA BLVD, Orange Park FL 32073 · 917-374-6656
Last inspected Feb 18, 2026 · 8 visits since August 2023
JAN 24
JUL 24
FEB 25
AUG 25
FEB 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections, climbing. The current grade is the best on record.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired June 1, 2025.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Feb 18, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 5 findingsThe state's own report →
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Grocery bags in direct contact with beef and tamales in reach-in cooler.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Prepared beans in kitchen reach-in cooler dated 1/26/26. Today is 2/18/26.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at kitchen handwash sink. Also, unable to dispense paper towels in women's and men's restrooms.
Open dumpster lid. Dumpster lids are open.
Show the remaining 1 finding ▾
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Opened employee beverage stored over tortillas in kitchen reach-in cooler. Employee removed beverage.
Aug 5, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired June 1, 2025.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef in kitchen reach in cooler stored over prepared soup.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Raw chicken in reach in cooler at 47F. Per employee, chicken has been in the same cooler overnight.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. See stop sale. Raw chicken in reach in cooler at 47F. Per employee, chicken has been in the same cooler overnight.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled spray bottle with yellow liquid on storage rack by back exit. Operator identified contents as soap.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior of ice machine with black mold-like substance.
Open dumpster lid. Dumpster lids are open.
Feb 12, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Feb 6, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 12 violations recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority3 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Priority: High Priority Observed: Food prepared/brought from a private home. See stop sale. Shell eggs on counter in kitchen. Inspector inquired to the source and employee states eggs were brought to the establishment from her home.
Priority: High Priority Observed: Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Multiple take out bags with ice in reach in freezer. Employee states ice is used for beverages. Also, cardboard used as a shelf liner on top left shelf of kitchen reach in cooler.
Priority: High Priority Observed: Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Opened raw beef roast stored over French fries in reach in freezer.
Priority: High Priority Observed: Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Shell eggs on kitchen counter at 74F. Also, shell eggs on counter in kitchen. Inspector inquired to the source and employee states eggs were brought to the establishment from her home. Also, can of beans on dry storage shelf with large dent and sharp edges near top of can.
Priority: High Priority Observed: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. See stop sale. Shell eggs on kitchen counter at 74F.
Priority: Intermediate Observed: Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Opened gallon of milk in reach in cooler not date marked. Per employee, milk opened three days prior. Employee marked open date on milk.
Priority: Intermediate Observed: No proof provided that some food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. No proof for Veronica, hired approximately two weeks ago.
Priority: Intermediate Observed: Spray/squirt bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Squirt bottle with yellow liquid on shelf above three compartment sink.
Priority: Basic Observed: Damaged/spoiled/recalled food not properly segregated. Can of beans on dry storage shelf with large dent and sharp edges near top of can. Employee removed can from supply.
Priority: Basic Observed: Garbage not placed in a receptacle for storage until pick up to make the garbage inaccessible to insects and rodents. Approximately 20 bags of trash outside back exit. Operator states he does not have a dumpster and has pick up arranged weekly. Inspector spoke with operator that all trash needs to be in a proper receptacle to deter vermin as flies were observed today in/around bags of trash.
Priority: Basic Observed: In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs stored on oven door handle. Employee removed tongs,
Priority: Basic Observed: No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No employee handwashing sign in women’s and men’s restrooms. Provided DBPR Form HR 5030-111.
Sep 3, 2024Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 2 violations recorded.
0 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Establishment has one employee other than manager. No proof of training for employee, Lilliana G, hired in April.
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. No proof available. Provided and discussed with person in charge DBPR Form HR 5030-103.
Jul 2, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 10 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority3 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. In kitchen reach in cooler, open raw chicken stored on top of open raw beef. Person in charge moved to proper storage.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Raw pork at shelf beside three compartment sink at 75F. Per person in charge, pork was at the sink upon opening the store this morning and was left out overnight.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. See stop sale. Raw pork at shelf beside three compartment sink at 75F. Per person in charge, pork was at the sink upon opening the store this morning and was left out overnight.
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. No written procedures available. Provided DBPR Form HR 5030-104.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Establishment has one employee other than manager. No proof of training for employee, Lilliana G, hired in April.
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. No proof available. Provided and discussed with person in charge DBPR Form HR 5030-103.
Dead roaches on premises. One dead roach and four egg casings in lobby right hand side cabinet beside bar. Person in charge removed and discarded dead roach and casings and sanitized the area during inspection.
Garbage not placed in a receptacle for storage until pick up to make the garbage inaccessible to insects and rodents. Three bags of trash in shopping cart outside back door. Person in charge took trash to dumpster.
Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Back exit is missing a self-closing device.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw pork at shelf beside three compartment sink with no running water.
Jan 29, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Unwrapped tamales stored in grocery bags in reach in cooler. Multiple grocery bags with unwrapped chicken and produce items in reach in freezer.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In reach in freezer, opened raw chicken wings stored over unsealed shrimp and whole unsealed fish stored over ready-to-eat sauces.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels in men's room.
Garbage not placed in a receptacle for storage until pick up to make the garbage inaccessible to insects and rodents. Two shopping carts outside back exit containing boxes and bagged trash.
In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Tongs for raw chicken in reach in cooler have the handle laying in the raw chicken.
Open dumpster lid. Both lids to the dumpster are open.
Stored food not covered. Raw chicken, turkey and whole fish are not covered in reach in freezer.
Aug 17, 2023Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 6 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Shell eggs in reach in cooler in kitchen stored over uncovered shredded cheese. Operator moved eggs to proper storage.
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Hose Bibb with attached hose located to right of back exit door missing vacuum breaker.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled spray bottle with yellow liquid stored at mop sink. Operator properly labeled during inspection.
Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Back exit door is not self-closing.
Stored food not covered. Multiple food products in reach in cooler in kitchen have no covering. Uncooked rice in container on prep table missing a cover.
Wood food-contact surface not properly sealed. Shelving in kitchen by door with stored cups and dry food products is raw wood, not sealed.
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.