MI HAVANA LATIN CAFE AND CATERING INC
1144 WHITFIELD AVE, Sarasota FL 34243 · 941-896-7100
Last inspected Jul 28, 2026 · 7 visits since October 2023
JUL 24
DEC 24
JUL 25
DEC 25
JUL 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections trending down, 12 points off where it started.
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
Jul 28, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 5 recorded.
0 High priority3 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 6 findingsThe state's own report →
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Expired on 4/14/2026
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed ready to eat food items in the reach in coolers needing dates when prepared.
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.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed grease build up on hood make up air vents and hood filters. Operator stated they're scheduled for next week.
Show the remaining 2 findings ▾
Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Observed a broken non functioning back door closer.
Propane tank (larger than 2.7 lb. water capacity/1 lb. gas capacity) located inside of the building. For reporting purposes only. Observed 2 propane tanks stored inside kitchen. Operator removed them.
Dec 18, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed a soiled can opener. Operators moved and cleaned.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed ready to eat food items in the reach in coolers needing dates when prepared.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed grease build up on hood make up air vents and hood filters.
Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Observed a broken non functioning back door closer.
Jul 29, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed ready to eat food items in the reach in coolers needing dates when prepared.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed grease build up on hood make up air vents and filters.
Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Observed a broken non functioning back door closer.
Dec 17, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled can opener. Operator removed for cleaning.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at handwashing sink in back kitchen.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed ready to eat food items in the reach in coolers needing dates when prepared.
Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Observed a broken non functioning back door closer.
Propane tank (larger than 2.7 lb. water capacity/1 lb. gas capacity) located inside of the building. For reporting purposes only. Observed a propane tank being used inside the building. Operator removed it.
Jul 2, 2024Inspection 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 ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled can opener. Operator removed for cleaning.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood walls and ansul system with grease build up and beginning to drip. Operator stated they will be cleaned on 7/12.
Nov 30, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood walls and ansul system with grease build up and beginning to drip.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed black mold like substance on wall behind triple sink.
Oct 13, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed employee touching ready to eat food without washing hands before and after wearing gloves. Coached employee on proper hand washing and glove changing.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled can opener on back prep table.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed personal drink above food prep table.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed personal phone stored above food prep table. Operator moved phone.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed greasy ansul system pipes and hood filters beginning to drip. Owner stated hood cleaning company is scheduled. Owner will also wipe down pipes to prevent dripping.
Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed a black mold like substance on the wall above the triple sink.
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.