PUERTO RICAN SPICE
12765 TAMIAMI TRL S, North Port FL 34287 · 941.258.4822
Last inspected Aug 26, 2026 · 6 visits since May 2024
JAN 25
MAY 25
SEP 25
APR 26
AUG 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and D. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed the operating license expired 12/1/2024.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
6 visits, newest first
Aug 26, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
5 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 11 findingsThe state's own report →
Establishment using a sanitizer solution that does not meet the requirements specified in 40 CFR 180. Only use single-service items to serve food to customers until approved sanitizer is available for warewashing. Observed scented bleach used as a sanitizer. The operator replaced with a quaternary solution.
Non-food grade paper towel used as a container liner for cut peppers and onions. The operator removed the paper towel.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored over cooked rice in the single-door cooler at the entrance to the kitchen. The operator properly stored the raw eggs.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed chicken soup (54F - Cold Holding) in the single door cooler in the kitchen. The operator stated the soup had been held overnight. The operator discarded the soup.
Show the remaining 7 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed a bag of shredded cheese (50F - Cold Holding) stored stacked above the fill line in the top section of the reach in cooler on the cook line. The operator stored the cheese in the lower portion of the cooler. Observed chicken soup (54F - Cold Holding) in the single door cooler in the kitchen. The operator stated the soup had been held overnight. The operator discarded the soup.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened/prepared, frozen and then thawed and held at refrigeration temperature not properly date marked. Observed cooked chicken and cooked pork not marked with the date when removed from the freezer for thawing.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed a glass drinking cup used as an ice scoop. The operator removed the drinking glass.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed an employee purse stored with packaged dry foods. The operator properly stored the employee belonging.
Food stored on floor. Observed bagged uncooked rice and beans stored on the floor. The operator properly stored the bags of rice and beans.
Grease receptacle/dumpster not on proper pad/nonabsorbent surface. Observed the grease receptacle stored on pallets set on top of a grass area. Observed the dumpster stored on a grassy area.
Marked exit/path to marked exit blocked. For reporting purposes only. Observed the rear exit pathway blocked by a folding screen. The operator removed the obstruction allowing access to the exit door.
Apr 3, 2026Inspection 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/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw pork stored over containers of plantains in the reach in cooler. The operator properly stored the raw pork.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened/prepared, frozen and then thawed and held at refrigeration temperature not properly date marked. Observed thawed chicken stored in the reach in cooler on the cook line with date marks exceeding 7 days. The operator stated the chicken was removed from the freezer the day prior to inspection.
Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Observed cardboard lining a shelf used to store dishware and equipment on the cook line.
Establishment using wood (other than a hard, close-grained wood) as a food-contact surface. Observed an in-use mortar and pestle. Operator was unable to identify the type of wood.
Sep 16, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 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 opened, without a date marking on it. Observed operator dating milk.
Packaged food not labeled as specified by law. Observed beans in container without identifying label. Observed operator removing food labeling beans.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed at make table and reach in stand up cooler, torn gaskets.
May 14, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
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 on line prep table, reach in gaskets soiled. Observed employees starting operator cleaning gaskets.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed a couple of old labels on containers on drying shelf. Observed an operator removing labels.
Jan 14, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed a plastic mixing bowl not sanitized before storage after washing and rinsing in the three compartment sink.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed the operating license expired 12/1/2024.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef stored over cooked rice in the stand up reach in cooler in the kitchen. The operator properly stored the raw beef.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chlorine test kit.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in the unisex restrooms.
Plastic food container dried with a towel/cloth.
Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. Observed spoons and forks stored with the food contact surface up behind the front counter.
May 9, 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.