TU EMPANADA XPRESS CAFÉ
6632 STIRLING RD, Hollywood FL 33024 · 754-216-0831
Last inspected Dec 17, 2025 · 8 visits since August 2023
FEB 24
SEP 24
JAN 25
AUG 25
DEC 25
▲ GETTING WORSE
5 inspections, one direction. The current grade is the worst on record.
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 →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $200
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2--2023044728 | Aug 4, 2023 | Dec 18, 2023 | $200 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Dec 17, 2025□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 1 finding
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. In kitchen black Whirlpool refrigerator.
Dec 15, 2025Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 8 recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Triple sink sanitizer reading less than 50ppm chlorine. Employee corrected to 100ppm chlorine.
Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee handled cell phone and then continued to cut peppers without washing hands and changing gloves. Reviewed with employee proper procedures and employee washed hands and changed gloves.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In front counter hot case, assorted empanadas (115-127F - Hot Holding); cheese taquitos (117F - Hot Holding). Per employee all prepared today and none in unit more than 2 hours. Employee returned all to kitchen to reheat for proper hot holding.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. In chest freezer under service window, container of prepared food items missing date marks. Per employee, some made on 12-14 and others made before that.
Equipment and utensils not washed, rinsed and sanitized in the correct order in three-compartment sink. Do not use dishes/equipment not properly sanitized. Employee has wash sink set up in center triple sink instead of first sink. Employee began draining sink to correctly set up.
Food stored on floor. Container of fryer oil on floor by triple sink.
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. In kitchen black Whirlpool refrigerator.
Aug 1, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In Whirlpool freezer, open package of raw bacon above multiple portioned prepared food items. Employee moved bacon to bottom of freezer to properly separate.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Espresso milk steaming wand has dried milk residue.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Bags of frozen cooked beef in chest freezer missing date mark when cooked.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unknown substance in spray bottle under front counter. Manager marked as vinegar cleaner.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Spoons in cup of standing water by espresso machine. Manager dumped water.
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. In black Whirlpool refrigerator.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. In customer/employee restroom. Sign provided to be posted.
Jan 28, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Sanitizer sink reading 10ppm chlorine. Employee added bleach to correct to 100ppm chlorine.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Front counter hand sink used to rinse espresso machine spoons as evidenced by spoons in sink.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Frozen containers of prepared foods in kitchen mini chest freezer not dated marked.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Ambient thermometer missing in kitchen fliptop unit.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Small container of sugar by espresso machine not labeled.
Sep 6, 2024Inspection 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 ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. In both chest freezers, raw chicken and raw beef in standard plastic to go bags.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. In large chest freezer, containers of prepared and portioned foods not date marked.
Food stored on floor. Buspan of raw peppers and container fryer oil on floor under kitchen prep table. Employee moved peppers and oil onto shelf.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knives held between back of triple rink and wall. Manager removed knives to container to hold.
Feb 7, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef stored over cooked shredded chicken inside avantco reach in cooler in kitchen. Operator moved raw beef to lower shelf and stored correctly.
No proof provided that one food employee hired less than 60 days ago is informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Operator signed reporting agreement firm during inspection.
Cleaned and sanitized pots and pans or utensils not properly stored in kitchen. Pots and pans stored on floor in kitchen. Operator moved to be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Advised operator to store 6 inches off the floor.
Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Container with cooking oil, bag of onions and gallons of water on floor in kitchen. Operator elevated
Observed some ceiling tiles with stains in kitchen and hallway to restroom.
Single-service articles( to go containers )not stored inverted or protected from contamination in kitchen. Operator inverted to go plates.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. White Sugar not labeled in coffee station, operator labeled sugar.
Aug 5, 2023□ 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 ▾
Observed some ceiling tiles with stains in kitchen and hallway to restroom.
Aug 4, 2023Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 9 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority3 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 3 live, small flying insects flying above garbage can in kitchen. Operator removed garbage, killed, cleaned and sanitized area during inspection. 2 live, small flying insects flying above and around mop sink in kitchen. Operator killed, cleaned and sanitized area during inspection. 3 live, small flying insects flying under 3 compartment sink in kitchen. 2 live, small flying insect flying on top dining room tables. Operator killed, cleaned and sanitized dining room tables during inspection.
Warewashing sanitizing solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed. Three compartment sink above 200ppm chlorine. Operator remade to 100ppm chlorine.
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. Provided to manager, operator posted in 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. New employees hired, no signed employee reporting agreement forms provided for employees at time of inspection.
Employee personal items ( Cell Phone) stored on top container of mayonnaise in dry storage area in kitchen. Operator moved
Floor area(s) covered with standing water under 3 compartment sink in kitchen.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided sign to manager. Manager posted in kitchen
Observed some ceiling tiles with stains in kitchen and hallway to restroom.
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.