POLLO TROPICAL #19
985 N HOMESTEAD BLVD, Homestead FL 33030 · 305.232.7764
Last inspected Jul 13, 2026 · 8 visits since October 2023
JUL 24
MAR 25
SEP 25
JAN 26
JUL 26
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections trending down, 23 points off where it started.
Live, small flying insects found. Observed 1 live fly resting on faucet at preparation sink. Observed 1 live fly resting on the exterior of the ice machine. Manager and employees began discard ice to properly clean the ice machine.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Jul 13, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 12 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority1 Intermediate8 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 12 findingsThe state's own report →
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed bread at steam table. Manager voluntarily discarded product.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed shredded cheese (46F - Cold Holding) at reach in cooler near front counter. As per manager less than 2 hours. Employee placed product at walk in cooler.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed grilled chicken (131F - Hot Holding) at wait station across steam table. As per cook less than 30 minutes. Observed yuca (131F - Hot Holding) at steam table near fryers. As per manager for less than an hour. Manager voluntarily discarded products.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed at handwash sink near kitchen entrance. Manager provided paper towels
Show the remaining 8 findings ▾
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed yellow cutting at pack line entrance.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed at plastic containers near blast chillers.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed in some area of the kitchen.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers.observed employee open water bottle stored at reach in cooler near drive thru second steam table. Manager discarded water bottle.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed at sauce reach in cooler near drive- thru.
Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink, three-compartment sink, or mop sink. Observe heavy standing water on floor near ice machine.
Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed in the kitchen, cook line, wait station, back kitchen, near drive thru.
Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
Jan 9, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jan 8, 2026Warning 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 ▾
Live, small flying insects found. Observed 1 live fly resting on faucet at preparation sink. Observed 1 live fly resting on the exterior of the ice machine. Manager and employees began discard ice to properly clean the ice machine.
Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed Triple Sink (Quaternary 0ppm); operator discarded and replaced with a new solution. Triple Sink (Quaternary 200ppm).
Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed employee touched hat, glasses with gloves on and proceeded to plate food to serve to customers. Coached manager.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed shredded cheese in bag (45F - Cold Holding) at reach in cooler near drive thru window. As per manager for less than 2 hours. Manager placed cheese in walk in cooler. Observed fresh garlic with oil (75F - Cold Holding) as preparation table across oven. As per cook for less than 2 hours. Cook placed product in walk in cooler.
No soap provided at handwash sink near the ice machine.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed yellow cutting board has cut mark and is no longer cleanable at front counter preparation line.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing water on floor near ice machine. Observed standing water on floor near the three compartment sink. Observed standing water on floor at back kitchen area.
Floors not constructed to be easily cleanable. Observed deep missing in some areas of the kitchen area.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed ice scoop handle in ice at front counter ice bin. Employee removed ice scoop.
Observed approximately 20 dead flies on the interior of the ice machine not touching ice. Manager and employees began discard ice to properly cleaning the ice machine.
Water draining onto floor surface. Observed water draining onto floor at dry storage area.
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed Water leaking from faucet at three compartment sink and preparation sink.
Sep 16, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed 1 Roma jalapeños 6 Lbs; dented.. Operator discarded voluntarily on site.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed cleaning spray on top of counter where single service cups are stored above sauce cooler. Operator removed on site.
Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed on dry food racks in storage.
Ceiling tile missing. Observed above dump sink across walk in. As per operator; company is replacing tiles.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed book bag stored on rice in walk in dry storage. Operator removed during inspections.
Mar 3, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observe Triple Sink (Quaternary 0ppm); operator discarded and replaced with a new solution. Triple Sink (Quaternary 300ppm);
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observe fries (126F - Hot Holding) by pick up window, as per operator less than 1 hour, operator discarded fries during inspection.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observe food residues inside hand wash sink next to 3 compartment sink.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observe soiled walk in cooler handle. Also observe soiled handle on cooked chicken hot holding unit across grill.
Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observe personal water bottle inside reach in cooler by pick up window, operator removed water bottle from unit during inspection.
Jul 22, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee was coached to wash her hands before putting on gloves.
Dead roaches on premises. Observed a dead roach on the floor of the dry storage. Manager provided the last pest control invoice and it was conducted on 7/02/2024. Manager discarded the dead roach.
Floors not constructed to be easily cleanable. Observed deep grout missing in some areas of the kitchen area.
In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Observed scoop handle touching the tomatoes.Employee removed it.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler gaskets soiled by the fryers. employee cleaned them.
Mar 25, 2024Inspection 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 ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed chicken (124 F - Hot Holding)on top of the cutting board. Chicken was discarded by operator.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting board at the front counter soiled. Chicken was left out of temperature in this cutting board. Operator washed the cutting boards.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed brown cutting boards not longer cleanable at the front counter.
Floors not constructed to be easily cleanable. Observed deep grout in some areas of the kitchen area.
In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Observed scoop above sweet plantains,and also on top of the rice. Operator removed them.
Oct 20, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled cutting board at the only line order station. Operator washed the cutting board.
Employee with ineffective hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed an employee with not hair restraint at the front line. Operator told her to fix her hair.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Operator removed it.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler and reach in freezer gaskets soiled. Operator cleaned the gaskets.
Stored food not covered. Observed container with salt not covered. Operator covered the salt.
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.