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MERLOS FRUTERIA

131 N BREVARD AVE, Arcadia FL 34266 · 941-421-4419

Last inspected Aug 24, 2026 · 5 visits since June 2024

Licence typeRestaurant
Seats32
Risk levelRisk Level 1
LicenceSEA2400328
Grade history
JUN 24
FEB 25
JUL 25
FEB 26
AUG 26
▲ GETTING WORSE

5 inspections trending down, 12 points off where it started.

Worst finding on record
Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. There was 10 pounds of Jicama fruit that was moldy in the reach in cooler, employee discarded.
High priority/01B-07-4/Corrective Action Taken
Badges — 1 earned
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined

Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →

Inspection history

5 visits, newest first

Aug 24, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

0 High priority3 Intermediate3 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 6 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. Observed milk, per owner opened yesterday and not date marked.
Intermediate/02C-03-5
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
Intermediate/16-37-1
Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days opened commercially processed, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food 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. Observed two containers of raw pork in reach in freezer, per operator pork was prepared and placed last Saturday, 8/22/26, owner date marked.
Intermediate/02C-06-5/Corrected On-Site
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed microwave in kitchen with food debris in it.
Basic/22-08-4
Show the remaining 2 findings ▾
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed no ambient thermometer in reach in freezer at front, owner put one in there.
Basic/05-09-4/Corrected On-Site
Plumbing system in disrepair. Observed handle for the cold water very loose on hand washing sink in kitchen.
Basic/29-08-4
The state's own report →
Feb 23, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation (Partial)

Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.

0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jul 24, 2025Inspection 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 ▾
Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Observed a can of raid in the back of kitchen, owner removed.
High priority/41-05-4/Corrected On-Site
Lack of toilet tissue at each toilet. Observed no toilet paper, owner replaced.
Intermediate/32-11-5/Corrected On-Site/Repeat Violation
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee without a hair restraint.
Basic/13-03-4
Missing drain plug at dumpster.
Basic/33-11-4
Feb 17, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

2 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. There was 10 pounds of Jicama fruit that was moldy in the reach in cooler, employee discarded.
High priority/01B-07-4/Corrective Action Taken
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shelled eggs over cream cheese in the reach in cooler next to back door, employee moved the cream cheese.
High priority/08A-05-6/Corrected On-Site
Lack of toilet tissue at each toilet. Employee put some in the bathroom.
Intermediate/32-11-5/Corrected On-Site
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed a white bottle not labeled in the back of the kitchen hanging on a shelve, employee stated it was bleach and wrote it on the bottle.
Intermediate/41-17-4/Corrected On-Site
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed in reach cooler by the back door no ambient thermometer.
Basic/05-09-4
Open dumpster lid.
Basic/33-16-4
Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. Observed serving utensils in a container on a shelf stored up and not down with handle up.
Basic/24-18-4
Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed a sleeve of clear compartment trays on the floor, under the front counter, employee picked up.
Basic/25-05-4/Corrected On-Site
Jun 14, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection

Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.

0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic

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.