LA ESTRELLA CAFE & RESTAURANT
8074 NW 103 ST BAY 5, Hialeah Gardens FL 33016 · 305.557.5501
Last inspected Apr 17, 2026 · 7 visits since October 2023
FEB 24
DEC 24
FEB 25
NOV 25
APR 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between C and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $160
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1--2020041887 | Aug 17, 2020 | Jul 27, 2021 | $160 |
Inspection history
7 visits, newest first
Apr 17, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 15 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority4 Intermediate9 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 15 findingsThe state's own report →
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw shell eggs over raw beef in walk in cooler, operator properly stored it.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked pork (90F - Hot Holding) white rice (112F - Hot Holding) on preparation table, operator reheated it.
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. Emailed poster to operator.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime.
Show the remaining 11 findings ▾
Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Employees name Tamara, with more than 2 months as per operator.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle with degreaser with no label. Operator properly labeled it.
Bathroom door left open other than during cleaning or maintenance. Women bathroom.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed bowl inside rice container, operator removed it.
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Water damage above preparation table.
Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Observed employee's open bottle water on preparation table. Instructed operator regarding cross contamination.
Food stored on floor. Observed cases of potatoes on kitchen floor. Operator properly stored it.
Hole in or other damage to wall. Hole on the wall by the walk in freezer
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Filter soiled.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Above three compartment sink.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar containers located at the front line.
Nov 6, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw beef steak stored over red peppers inside walk in cooler. Operator provided rearranged.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw pork stored over fish croquettes inside walk in cooler. Operator removed the pork.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed French fries (52F - Cold Holding) inside reach in cooler across cook line. As per operator for less than 10 minutes.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed chicken soup (127F - Hot Holding) inside reach in steam table. As per operator for less than 4 hrs. Operator placed soup on stove for reheating. Retest chicken soup (178F - Hot Holding)
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed at storage area.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed next to triple sink.
Feb 19, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority3 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. In the walk in freezer observed raw ground beef stored in direct contact with to go bags.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed degreaser bottle stored near clean pans, pots on storage shelves next to the three compartment sink at kitchen. Operator removed it on site.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener soiled.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked pork chunks and cooked chicken cooked on last Monday not dated marked.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed degreaser in a Spray bottle not labeled.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed in the walk in cooker raw ground beef stored on the floor.
Feb 19, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed walk in freezer floor soiled underneath the food storage shelves.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer.
Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Dec 5, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 15 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority4 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in the walk in cooler raw steak stored over ham, cheese.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at cook line above the steam table fresh garlic (87F - Cold Holding), as per operator garlic in oil was prepared less than 1 hour ago. Operator transferred it to reach in cooler to rapidly cool.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the stove cooked beans (102F - Hot Holding), operator stated that she had cooked beans about 2 hours ago. Employee reheating food.
Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed employee washing her hands in the three compartment sink at front counter.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towel at hand wash sink located at kitchen. Operator refilled paper towel.
Person in charge unable to answer basic Food Code questions pertaining to safe operation of establishment. Manager was unable to answer the minimum required hot holding temperature.
Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed employee training for Odalys Munoz, Elaine zsanchez expired on 09-24.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed walk in freezer floor soiled underneath the food storage shelves.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed microwave interior soiled, microwave located at cook line above the prep table. Observed interior of the oven soiled.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels in clean containers on drying shelf by the three component sink. Employee removed it on site.
Walk-in cooler interior shelves have accumulation of soil residues.
Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Feb 21, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee put gloves on without washing hands. Instructed employee to wash hands before putting on gloves and he did it.
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed pepperoni stored in thank you bags at reach in cooler located next to walk in cooler. Manager removed items from thank you bags.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener at preparation table located across from 3 compartment sink soiled.
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Observed establishment provides eggs to customers like, and it's not on the menu identified. Manager placed an asterisk on menu. Observed no written consumer advisory on the menu. Provided manager consumer advisory.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed at preparation table across from cook line.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filter soiled. Observed gasket in reach in cooler at preparation area soiled located across from cook line. Observed shelves in walk in cooler soiled.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed at walk in cooler.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed walls soiled throughout the kitchen.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed at preparation area across from cook line.
Oct 25, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 15 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority6 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. On the storage shelf located above the steam table observed fresh garlic in iol (80 F - Cold Holding), as per cook for less than 4 hours, employee placed garlic in oil back in the reach in cooler to rapidly cool down.
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.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink located in the kitchen blocked by a large garbage can.
No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
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. Manager completed forms on site.
Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed reach in cooler door handle soiled, cooler located in the kitchen.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed spoon stored in standing water at 85F.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed Tamale en casuela thawing at room temperature over the preparation table in the kitchen.
Wet wiping cloth used to wipe tableware or carry-out containers.
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.