LAS MARGARITAS CAFETERIA
1385 PALM AVE, Hialeah FL 33010 · 305.469.3433
Last inspected Feb 20, 2026 · 7 visits since November 2023
FEB 24
JUL 24
JAN 25
SEP 25
FEB 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections, one direction. The current grade is the worst on record.
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 →
Inspection history
7 visits, newest first
Feb 20, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 17 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority5 Intermediate8 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 17 findingsThe state's own report →
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw shell eggs stored on top of washed limes. Employee stored properly during inspection.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Natural Minced Garlic (76F - Cold Holding) on top of preparation table at kitchen area. As per operator stored outside for less than 2 hours. Employee stored inside walk in cooler for rapid cooling.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Cooked Onions (130F - Hot Holding) inside steam table at front counter. Operator removed and reheated during inspection Cooked Onions (167F - Reheating).
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed at back storage area next to kitchen.
Show the remaining 13 findings ▾
Employee did not report symptoms/diagnosis of a disease transmissible through food to the person in charge. Observed employee Tomas C. with no employee health agreement. As per operator hired less than a month. Provided form to operator. Operator provided employee health agreement signed by employee during inspection.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener blade soiled at preparation table at kitchen area.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chlorine test kit available at the time of inspection.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towel at hand wash sink at kitchen area. Employee provided during inspection.
Person in charge unable to answer basic questions about allergens.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed black mold like substance inside ice machine at front counter.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed clean utensils stored not inverted inside container under preparation table at kitchen area.
Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed hole on the wall next to the floor outside of walk in cooler at kitchen area.
Missing drain plug at dumpster.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided choking poster to operator.
Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed cases of plastic cups stored on the floor at front counter.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed sugar container not identified at front counter.
Sep 26, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can blade opener soiled on prep table. Operator started cleaning blade.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed at front counter. Operator started to clean.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed next to triple sink.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Jan 2, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin, located at front counter.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable, located at cooking line.
Food stored on floor. Observed 1 case of water stored on the floor at front counter. During the inspection employee removed item and placed correctly.
In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. During the inspection employee removed item.
Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Jul 8, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin, located at front counter.
Ceiling tile missing. Observed ceiling tile missing above walk in cooler entrance.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, and grease, throughout kitchen areas.
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. Observed fish not frozen in oxygen reduce package. Advise operator to either remove from package or cut the package.
Feb 8, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed kitchen employees touching body parts before engaging in food preparation no hand washing.
Food thermometer(s) not calibrated according to manufacturer's specifications.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opene.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner.
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Most kitchen coolers.
Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean.
Nov 28, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed hole in kitchen area.
Nov 15, 2023Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed dishwasher machine with chlorine sanitation solutions of 0 ppm.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
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. Observed raw chicken over raw pork inside reach in cooler.
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.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed hole in kitchen area.
Food stored on floor. Observed raw bacon on walk in cooler floor. Operator properly stored it.
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.