MR JALAPENO COCINA MEXICANA
1602 SE FEDERAL HWY, Stuart FL 34994
Last inspected Sep 16, 2025 · 7 visits since October 2023
□ Not on the state's active licence list
This licence isn't in DBPR's current active file, which usually means the business has closed, been sold, or let the licence lapse. Everything below belongs to this licence, not to whoever may be trading here now. The history stays public because it is a public record.
OCT 23
APR 24
NOV 24
JAN 25
SEP 25
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections, climbing. The current grade is the best on record.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 10-12 flying insects near prep table by entrance to kitchen. Flying insects not observed landing on food contact surfaces.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
7 visits, newest first
Sep 16, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 4 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 chlorine dishwasher machine running at 0 ppm. Operator ran machine and primed sanitizer to 50ppm at time of inspection
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee handle dirty food equipment then proceed to put on gloves and handle raw beef without washing hands first. Educated operator on proper hand washing for employee to wash hands correctly
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed employee handle raw beef then proceed to open reach in cooler doors with soiled glove
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Jan 30, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority3 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed bottle of ibuprofen and aspirin stored over spice containers and single service items at server station. Operator stored items properly.
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed Raw eggs stored over unwashed produce items in walk in cooler. Operator stored items properly.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed Raw beef stored over raw shrimp in oven reach in cooler at cook line. Operator stored items properly.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed plastic food containers with food debris and slime build up at kitchen.
No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
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.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
Dead roaches on premises. Observed I Dead roach at on floor of back storage area. Operator removed and sanitized area thoroughly.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floors soiled with food debris in main kitchen area, cook line and dish pit.
Jan 30, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Screen in door torn/in poor repair. Observe rip in screen covered by duct tape at back exterior door.
Nov 5, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Container of headache medicine store over fruit cans at back storage area. Operator removed.
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 store over raw beef not commercially packaged in stainless reach in cooler. Operator stored all items properly.
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. All food handler training expired 8/2024 and 9/2024.
Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed broken plastic container taped together containing dry rice.
Food stored on floor. Observed water bottles store on floor of front storage closet. Operator removed.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment at cook line. Operator removed.
Screen in door torn/in poor repair. Observe rip in screen covered by duct tape at back exterior door.
Apr 11, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 14 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority2 Intermediate9 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Waitress entered the kitchen, rubbed her nose and started scooping ice for service, without washing her hands fist. Reviewed proper hand washing. She went to wash her hands.
Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. Establishment offers ceviche containing raw tilapia, and scallops in ceviche Tulum. Owner stated going forward scallops and tilapia will be served boiled and then marinated.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Exp. 12.1.24 License was renewed during the inspection.
Food-contact surface cheese grater floor mounted soiled with food debris.
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Ceviche Tulum on menu containing raw tilapia and scallops. Not identified as being raw. Owner stated going forward scallops and tilapia will be served boiled and then marinated.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on all equipment door handles at cook line and in prep area.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable, both cutting boards on cook line.
Equipment in poor repair. Front cover missing on ice machine.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice in wait area. Operator removed.
Interior of ovens and microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease and food debris on cook line
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. All gaskets on cook line, the outside of microwave and
Reach-in drawers under grill interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues and food debris.
Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover next to fryer.
Walls in dish and prep area soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust.
Oct 4, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Oct 3, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 11 recorded, 7 high priority.
7 High priority3 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 10-12 flying insects near prep table by entrance to kitchen. Flying insects not observed landing on food contact surfaces.
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw beef not in commercial packaging stored over cooked tamales in tall stainless reach in freezer. Operator stored properly.
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 ground beef opened from commercial packaging over fish at white reach in freezer by back door. Operator stored properly.
Time/temperature control for safety food reheated for hot holding not reaching 165 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds within 2 hours. Steam table: cheese sauce (127F - Reheating) at 11:45 since 10:30 - 125F 12:00 Per operator, cheese sauce is a reheat from 10/2 preparation. Operator returned to stove to reheat to 165+F.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. pork carnitas (110F - Hot Holding) Observed in metal pan on char grill. Per operator, out of temperature for 1 hour. Operator returned to stove, rechecked 165+F.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed Aspirin stored next to seasonings at cook line service window. Operator removed aspirin.
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed lack of Vacuum breaker at outside mop sink, splitter added.
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. Bodily fluids procedure sent to operator.
Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. No proof of certified food manager card at time of inspection.
No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. No probe thermometer present at time of inspection.
Dishmachine not washing/rinsing properly. Must wash, rinse and sanitize all dishware, equipment and utensils in three-compartment sink until dishmachine is functioning properly. Dish machine chlorine sanitizer not functioning properly.
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.