LA PITAYA
400 S DIXIE HWY #16, Lake Worth FL 33460 · 561.254.6520
Last inspected Aug 21, 2026 · 12 visits since July 2023
SEP 24
FEB 25
AUG 25
DEC 25
AUG 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections trending up, 21 points better than where it started.
Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Chef observed wrapping tortillas to go with barehands. Educated on site.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
3 cases · $800
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2--2024068207 | Sep 18, 2024 | Feb 3, 2025 | $400 |
| 2--2023052951 | Sep 12, 2023 | Oct 24, 2023 | $200 |
| 2--2021001864 | Nov 18, 2020 | Feb 16, 2021 | $200 |
Inspection history
12 visits, newest first
Aug 21, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 2 findings
No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. Provided thermometer not functioning.
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.
Aug 20, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 4 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority3 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken stored above pot of chicken soup and package of cooked beef. Operator reorganized.
Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. raw fish (48F - Ambient Cooling for 1 hour at 10:30, 49F at 10:45); raw shrimp (48F - Ambient Cooling for 1 hour at 10:30, 50F at 10:45); krab (48F - Ambient Cooling for 1 hour at 10:30, 49F at 10:45) in kitchen flip top cooler. At current rate of cooling items will not reach 41F within required 4 hour window. Digital thermometer on unit reads 47F. Operator moved items to neighboring cooler to chill.
No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. Provided thermometer not functioning.
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.
Feb 19, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Dec 17, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired December 1, 2025
Raw animal food not separated from ready-to-eat food during preparation. In reach in cooler in kitchen, raw chicken stored above raw beef. Employee moved raw chicken to bottom shelf.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. In front cooler, horchata made yesterday morning not date marked.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. In kitchen above cook line and prep area, ceiling vents have Accumulation dust.
Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. In flip top cooler in kitchen, defrosted fish stored in reduced oxygen package. Employee stated thawed out less than two hours. Employee starred to removed fish from package.
Aug 19, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. In kitchen, employee was touching ready to eat tortillas on flat top grill and putting them in to go containers. Discussed with operator to inform employee of not touching ready to eat foods with bare hands and to use gloves or utensils.
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In reach in white chest freezer in storage area, raw chicken stored on top of frozen fish. Operator moved chicken to bottom.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. On steam table, shredded chicken 125°F. Operator stated held on steam table less than two hours. Instructed operator to reheat on stove. Temperature 167°F after reheat.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. In reach in cooler at front prep area, salsa made yesterday, more than 24 hours no date marked. Operator date marked
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. In kitchen at three compartment sink, raw chicken thawing in standing water. Operator turned on faucet to run water,
Feb 20, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Raw chicken stored in thank you to go bags in reach in freezer. Explained to store in food grade bags.
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. Chef and 1 food handler working more than 60 days and no food handler training certificate available upon request.
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. 5 food handlers working 1 certified food manager, 2 food handlers training available. Other 2 food handlers no certificate and no employee food reporting agreement. Emailed one.
Nov 19, 2024Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 2 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Employee handled bleach to make sanitizer bucket and immediately began handling tortillas and cooking equipment.
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. Raw chicken over raw beef in freezer chest in prep area. Items not commercially packaged Removed
Sep 18, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 6 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Employee handled bleach to make sanitizer bucket and immediately began handling tortillas and cooking equipment.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken over ready to eat broth for chicken soup in two door stainless steal cooler in kitchen Removed
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. Raw chicken over raw beef in freezer chest in prep area. Items not commercially packaged Removed
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Steak thawing in hand sink in kitchen. removed from sink
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. Two employees on site during inspection
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Beef in hand sink at room temperature
Feb 20, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority4 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Chef observed wrapping tortillas to go with barehands. Educated on site.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken over cooked barbacoa two door cooler in kitchen Removed
Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. cooked beef (64F - Cooling) at 3:00 pm to 64F at 3:20 pm since 2:00 pm. At this rate food will not cool to 41f within 6 hours. In closed zip locked bags. Reopened
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/
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.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Under prep sink in kitchen
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Both hand sinks
Nov 28, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Sep 12, 2023Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 3 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Grocery bag storing bread rolls in glass door cooler in storage room next to restaurant
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/. Unit used for storage and prep next to restaurant. no plans submitted.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Frozen fish in prep sink. Ran water.
Jul 11, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority4 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Grocery bag storing bread rolls in glass door cooler in storage room next to restaurant
Handwash sink missing in warewashing or food preparation area. Storage room next to restaurant. Employee observed cutting raw meat. No hand sink.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Garbage can infront of Hand sink
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Chlorine
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/. Unit used for storage and prep next to restaurant. no plans submitted.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Freezer chest in storage room next to restaurant
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Frozen fish in prep sink. Ran water.
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.