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MERENGUE RESTAURANT AND CATERING INC

790 SW FEDERAL HWY, Stuart FL 34994 · 7726210353

Last inspected Aug 14, 2026 · 10 visits since July 2023

Licence typeRestaurant
Seats85
Risk levelRisk Level 2
LicenceSEA5301801
Grade history
OCT 24
MAR 25
SEP 25
MAR 26
AUG 26
— STEADY

5 inspections within 20 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.

Worst finding on record
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw Ground beef over raw pork at walk in cooler. Operator stored properly.
High priority/08A-20-5/Corrected On-Site
Badges — 1 earned
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined

Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →

Inspection history

10 visits, newest first

Aug 14, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

1 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 2 findings
Nonfood-grade grocery bags with labels and font printed used in direct contact with raw meat in reach in freezer Operator removed
High priority/14-31-5/Corrected On-Site
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed frozen salmon vacuumed packaged still frozen inside cooler opinion thawing process Operator cut and removed frozen vacuumed packaged salmon and stored properly to thaw
Basic/06-01-5/Corrected On-Site
May 11, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection

A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.

0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
May 6, 2026Call Back - Extension given, pendingRoutine Inspection

A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.

1 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Operator re ran and primed machine to 50 ppm at time of inspection
High priority/22-41-4/Return visit May 6, 2026 · Observed serve safe books and test scheduled for 5/10/2026 Time Extended
Mar 3, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection

Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 3 recorded, 2 high priority.

2 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Operator re ran and primed machine to 50 ppm at time of inspection
High priority/22-41-4
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw salmon over cooked pork inside walk in cooler Operator removed
High priority/08A-05-6/Corrected On-Site
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.
Intermediate/53B-05-5
Sep 26, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

0 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed plastic container inside hand wash sink at cook line, hand wash sink is placed in between corns of wall and stove with limited space for access to employees. Operator removed plastic container
Intermediate/31A-09-4/Corrected On-Site
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice at front counter ice machine. Operator removed.
Basic/10-08-5/Corrected On-Site
Mar 28, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

0 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed plastic pitcher inside hand wash sink at cook line. Operator removed.
Intermediate/31A-11-4/Corrected On-Site
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed handle indirect contact with flour at prep counter. Operator removed.
Basic/10-01-5/Corrected On-Site
Oct 15, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

1 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw chicken over raw beef not commercially packed in tall stainless reach in cooler. Operator stored items properly.
High priority/08A-02-6/Corrected On-Site
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed plastic container inside of hand wash sink at cook line. Operator removed.
Intermediate/31A-11-4/Corrected On-Site
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
Basic/35B-01-4
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed flour not labeled in plastic container under prep table in kitchen. Operator labeled items properly.
Basic/02D-01-5/Corrected On-Site
Mar 12, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

3 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed Raw sausage over evaporated milk in tall white reach in cooler. Operator stored properly.
High priority/08A-05-6/Corrected On-Site
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw Ground beef over raw pork at walk in cooler. Operator stored properly.
High priority/08A-20-5/Corrected On-Site
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Mofongo sauce (cooked vegetables) (134F - Hot Holding) Per operator, out of temperature for approximately 2 hours. Operator returned to stove to reheat to 165+F.
High priority/03B-01-6/Corrective Action Taken
Single-service articles improperly stored. Portion cups stored in reused cut cardboard box.
Basic/25-05-4/Corrected On-Site
Sep 19, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection

A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.

0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jul 19, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection

Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 2 recorded.

0 High priority2 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Milk/opened over 24 hours before/corrective action taken/operator date labeled milk/walk in cooler.
Intermediate/02C-03-5/Corrected On-Site
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/. Operator installed new Dish Machine(by 3 compartment area)
Intermediate/51-16-7/Warning

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.