LA PALMA MEXICAN GRILL
1690 CITRUS BLVD, Leesburg FL 34748 · 3523231444
Last inspected May 11, 2026 · 10 visits since July 2023
JUL 24
FEB 25
AUG 25
MAR 26
MAY 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between C and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. -Fajita chicken 62f. Cooked previous night.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $200
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4--2019014449 | Jan 25, 2019 | Apr 22, 2019 | $200 |
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
May 11, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 2 findings
Equipment in poor repair. -Wooden dolly by ice machine.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. -Bulk container of sugar.
May 6, 2026Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 10 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority3 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. -Mole sauce 04/28.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. -Mole sauce dated 04/28.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. -Salsa verde 59f. Less than 4 hours, advised to rapid chill. -Pico 54f, Cut tomato 53f, Cut lettuce 53f. -Cooked peppers 61f, Tamales 59f, Cheese 60f, Beef 60f.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. -Can opener blade.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. -Used as dump sink at bar.
No soap provided at handwash sink. -At wait station.
Equipment in poor repair. -Wooden dolly by ice machine.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. -By mop sink.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. -Unused reach in cooler under flat grill.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. -Bulk container of sugar.
Mar 18, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. -Salsa 51f, Chicken 50f, Tamales 46f.Cooling from previous night.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. -Raw beef over raw shrimp.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. -Soup made 03-10.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. -Chicken 50f, Tamales 46f, Salsa 51f. Cooling from previous night.
Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. -Chicken, Tamales, Salsa too deep.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. -At beginning of cook line.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -Cooler gaskets. -Exterior of bulk containers.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. -Unwashed peppers over soup in walk in cooler.
Aug 27, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 13 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate11 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. -Cook handled food, Change gloves without washing hands. Operator coached.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. -Cut tomato 48f, Pico 52f. Less than 4 hours. Operator placed on ice.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Ceiling tile missing. -Over ice machine.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. -Jacket stored on case of tortillas.
Equipment in poor repair. -Prep cooler gasket torn.
Equipment or utensils not designed or constructed in a durable manner. -Plastic container with hole and burn mark. Operator discarded.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. -Under wait station hand sink.
Food stored on floor. -Corn leaves.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. -Oven door.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -Hoods over flat grill. -Under grill. -Top of stove.
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. -Light bulbs in box over prep table.
Feb 18, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Feb 17, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 13 recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority4 Intermediate4 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. -Fajita chicken 62f. Cooked previous night.
Employee washed hands with cold water.
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. -Raw beef patties over pizza in walk in freezer.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. -Fajita chicken 62f. Cooked previous night.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Fajita chicken 62f. Cooked previous night. Cheese 52f, Tamales 51f, Chiles 49f. Less than 4 hours. Operator placed product on ice.
Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. -Too deep, covered.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. -Blocked by broom.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. -End of cook line.
No soap provided at handwash sink. -Employee bathroom.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. -Oven.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -Stove top. -Hood filters.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. -Standing water in prep cooler.
Jul 23, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Equipment in poor repair. -Small white reach in freezer door held with duct tape.
Jul 22, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 13 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority1 Intermediate9 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. -Salsa made previous day at 55f.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. -Salsa cooling from previous night at 55f.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. -Cut lettuce 55f, Guacamole 54f, Cheese 54f, Tamales 46f. Less than 4 hours. Advised to rapid chill.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. -Can opener blade.
Dead roaches on premises. -1 dead on cookline.
Equipment in poor repair. -Small white reach in freezer door held with duct tape.
Equipment or utensils not designed or constructed in a durable manner. -Plastic bus tub cracked down the middle.
Food stored on floor. -Case of French fries in walk in freezer.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -Interior of fryer cabinets. -Stove top.
Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover. -Under steam table.
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. -Weedeater stored against boxes of tortillas.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. -Pork at room temperature.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. -Bulk container of flour.
Feb 13, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
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.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
Equipment or utensils not designed or constructed in a durable manner. -Reach in cooler gaskets torn on far end of cookline.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Under bar dish machine.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. -Reach in freezer on cookline. -Walk in freezer.
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. -Microwave.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -Stovetop. -Hood filters over flat grill. -Under microwave.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. -Unwashed peppers over salsa in walk in cooler.
Jul 13, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
Equipment or utensils not designed or constructed in a durable manner. -Reach in cooler gasket torn at end of cookline.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. At end of cookline.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.
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. -Weed eater stored by disposable gloves.
Stored food not covered. -Frozen pizza stored directly on freezer rack.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed under water that was barely running/dripping. On fish.
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.