LAS MARGARITAS MEXICAN RESTAURANT
4405 NW 39 AVE, Gainesville FL 32606 · 352.374.6699
Last inspected Jul 23, 2026 · 9 visits since August 2023
SEP 24
FEB 25
AUG 25
JAN 26
JUL 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between B and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
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. Observed employee not wearing gloves cutting onions then placing onion in bin to store in walk-in-cooler
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Jul 23, 2026Administrative complaint recommendedComplaint Investigation
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 12 violations recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 12 findingsThe state's own report →
Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Employee cracked eggs on flat top, did not change gloves or handwash, touched clean knife handle and started cutting peppers. Manager stopped employee and had him discard gloves and wash hands.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. -Opened milk in reach in cooler dated 6/21, employee stated it was opened 7/21.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Stuffed beef peppers 7/14, stuffed cheese peppers 7/15, stuffed chicken peppers 7/11.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. beans (126F - Hot Holding) item in steam table on cooks line, employee placed on flat top to reheat.
Show the remaining 8 findings ▾
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Missing at threaded hose Bibb outside of kitchen back door with hose attached.
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 clean up procedures.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. -Spray bottle at dish area no label, employee stated it is bleach. -Spray bottle behind bar no label, employee stated it is sanitizer.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Small no handle cup in guacamole in reach in cooler on cooks line.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting board on cooks line reach in cooler with multiple cut marks.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drinks on shelf above ice cream reach in freezer, manager moved drinks below.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Emailed choking poster.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in freezer gasket soiled with black substance on cooks line.
Jan 14, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Half a tray of ground beef in walk-in-cooler dated 1/6/26
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle not properly labeled with identifying contents ( Fabuoso ).
Cardboard used on floor as anti-slip measure not replaced every day or when heavily soiled, whichever comes first. Cardboard on cookline floor.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Open water bottle stored above prep table in back kitchen. Manager discarded drink
Open dumpster lid. Dumpster with lids open
Oct 13, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Aug 6, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 24 violations recorded, 7 high priority.
7 High priority3 Intermediate14 Basic
Show 24 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Can of jalapeños with multiple dents compromising seams
Employee coughed, sneezed, used a handkerchief or disposable tissue then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee not wearing gloves in prep area took paper towel wiped face and nose. Then went to cook line and handled cooking equipment and stirred food, without washing hands. Discussed with Manager.
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. Observed employee not wearing gloves cutting onions then placing onion in bin to store in walk-in-cooler
Food preparation surface has soil/old food residue. Observed employee cutting onions then placing onion in bin. Bin was stored inside the top of trash can. Employee removed bin and placed on prep table, then handled bottom of bin and placed in walk-in-cooler
Raw animal food box storing ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw onions stored in egg box in walk-in-cooler.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut Tomato stored in bin on ice in kitchen at 54F. Tomatoes had been cut 30 minutes earlier. Manager had the bin placed inside the ice and tomatoes were 41F 30 minutes later
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. No vacuum breaker on hose Bibb by back door.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on flip-top make table and fruit cutting board with mold like substance in the grooves in kitchen. Ice bin under soda dispenser has mold on the top edge of the ice bin.
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/. Three-compartment sink and handwash sink at bar are not located in the area shown in the 2011 approved plans
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. No date on food (beef, salsa) in walk-in-cooler,prepared two days earlier per manager
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Styrofoam cup in salsa container in walk-in-cooler.
Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Wet Cardboard on shelf in reach in cooler at bar.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee open container drinks found on prep table and stored over bag of onions. Both drinks were removed.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cellphone and speaker stored over clean dishes in dishwash area. Manager removed items
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean stacked Equipment ( cups at server station and bar, bins in dishwash area )not properly air-dried, and stored wet on clean ware rack resulting in wet nesting.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control food stored with handle touching food ( flour ). Manager removed handle from product.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Mold like substance on the underside of the non food contact surface of the nozzles on the soda dispensing machine at server station.
Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Observed cut produce ( avocado ) located in flip-top make table with produce stickers still on produce. Manager instructed employee to remove sticker when washing.
Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Margarita mix concentrate containers reused and filled with margarita mix.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Single service aluminum trays not inverted. Manager inverted trays
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water in reach in cooler at bar.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Shrimp and scallops thawing in standing water.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed produce (whole pinapples ) stored over ready-to-eat food ( salsa ) in walk in cooler
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of food removed ( salt ) from original container not labeled with name of contents. Container of food removed ( powdered sugar in cinnamon container ) from original container not labeled with name of contents.
Feb 4, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 10 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 10 findings ▾
Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee handled dirty dishes then proceeded to handle clean dishes in dish area without washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands and rewash dishes.
Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee wiped gloved hands on pants and proceeded to handle cooked food on cook line. Manager had employee wash hands and change gloves.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Item stored in steam table across from cook line: queso cheese (126F - Hot Holding). Employee stated cheese was reheated and placed in steam table one hour prior to temperature being taken. Manager had employee reheat cheese on stove top to reheat, queso cheese (168F - Reheating).
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on reach-in cooler across from cook line oven. Cutting board on counter next to wait station soda machine.
Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Cooked pork stored in reach-in cooler across from cook line fryer. Manager stated the pork is cooked and then frozen. Manager stated the pork was removed from freezer the previous day to thaw. Manager placed date mark on item with the understanding that the first day pork was prepared is included.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Cups stored in wait station. Containers stored on shelf in dish area.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Lid on salsa chip barrel in dry storage.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Bar area hand washing sink.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Wall and table beneath dish machine.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Aluminum pans stored next to pass through window. Employee turned pans over.
Sep 10, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Sep 3, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 13 recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority1 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 13 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. Dish machine in dish area, 0 ppm.
Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Employee entered kitchen from dining room put on gloves and began handling clean plates in pass through window without washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands and change gloves.
Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee touched face with gloved hand and proceeded to handle clean plates with food in pass through window without changing gloves and washing hands. Manager had employee change gloves and wash hands.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Item stored in basket above cook line fryer: pork (79F - Hot Holding). Employee stated pork cooked twenty minutes prior to temperature being taken. Pork was reheated and served during inspection.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on reach-in cooler across from cook line grill. Ice bin for kitchen ice machine.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on top of reach-in freezer across from cook line fryer. Employee removed drink from top of reach-in freezer.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Containers stored on shelf across from dish machine.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Lid for container of chips in dry storage room.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gasket of reach-in freezer across from cook line grill. Walk-in cooler gasket. Can rack next to mop sink. Fan cover in walk-in cooler gasket. Top of dish machine.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. To go containers stored in dry storage room. Manager turned containers over.
Stored food not covered. Stuffed peppers stored in walk-in freezer.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Scallops thawing in standing water on sink next to kitchen ice machine. Manager had employee place scallops underneath cold running water.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth on reach-in freezer across from cook line fryer. Employee placed wiping cloth in sanitizer bucket.
Jan 3, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
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 stored over raw beef in walk-in freezer. Manager had employee place chicken on bottom shelf.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on reach-in cooler across from cook line grill. Water nozzle of tea machine in wait station.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Steel wool sun in bar area hand washing sink.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on shelf above prep table across from kitchen ice machine. Manager removed phone from shelf.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Cups stored in wait station.
In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Wet towel underneath cutting board on prep table across from can rack. Manager removed towel from underneath cutting board.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fan covers in walk-in cooler.
Stored food not covered. Pork stored in walk-in cooler. Manager had employee place lid on pan.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall behind dish machine.
Aug 21, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 15 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority3 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee handled dirty dishes and proceeded to handle clean dishes without washing hands or changing gloves in dish area. Manager had employee wash hands, change gloves and rewash dishes.
Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee touched garbage can and proceeded to handle raw beef in prep area without washing hands and changing gloves. Manager had employee wash hands and change gloves.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Gas pressure washer stored in back dry storage area.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on reach-in cooler across from cook line grill. Water nozzle of tea dispenser in wait station.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Steel wool stored in wait station hand washing sink. Employee removed steel wool from hand washing sink.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Flan stored in wait station reach-in cooler. Manager stated flan prepared on 8/18. Manager had employee place proper date mark on item.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Can of Red Bull on shelf above prep table across from ice machine next to the back door.
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee bottle of water and soda stored in reach-in cooler across from cook line oven. Manager had employee remove drinks from cooler.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee keys on prep table in wait station. Employee removed keys.
Food stored on floor. Case of potatoes stored on floor in walk-in freezer.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs hanging on oven handle. Employee placed tongs on top of oven.
In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Wet wiping cloth underneath cutting board on reach-in cooler across from cook line stove. Manager had employee remove wiping cloth from beneath cutting board.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand washing sink in bar area no hand washing sign.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Can rack in back prep area. Fan covers in walk-in cooler. Area around soda nozzles of soda machine in wait station soda machine.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. To go aluminum pans on shelf across from ice machine next to back door.
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.