Abuela's Kitchen

727 7St W, Palmetto, FL 34221
Mexican / Latin
Last inspected: Feb 4, 2026
70
Score
Medium Risk

Abuela's Kitchen appears in inspection records eight times, starting in 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Feb 4, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.

The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around three violations to closer to five violations.

Looking across the full record, “ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer” is the recurring theme, flagged five times.

Compared to other Palmetto restaurants (averaging 83), there's room to close the gap. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.

8
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 4, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed standing reach in cooler with raw shell eggs stored on shelf above beef. Operator removed eggs from shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Observed no covered receptacle in women's bathroom. **Repeat Violation**
32-12-6
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed reach in cooler cutting board with cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed boxes of frying oil stored on floor in kitchen. Operator removed boxes of oil from floor. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup in standing reach in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
70
Sep 8, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - 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 in back kitchen area Dishwasher (Chlorine 000ppm) Person in charge primed machine and retested Dishwasher (Chlorine recheck 100 ppm) **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked.observed cooked beef and cooked rice not date marked Person in charge stated that the product was cooked on 9/5/25 and date marked accordingly **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.As a repeat violation, the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
32-12-6
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer.As a repeat violation, the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee.
14-69-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available.
51-18-6
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.observed over grill hood filters soiled with grease.
23-03-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.As a repeat violation, the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
50-09-4
61
Feb 27, 2025
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
86
Aug 26, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Observed can of raid flying insect killer on shelf above three part sink. Owner removed. **Corrective Action Taken**
41-05-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand sink in back kitchen with cutting board in it. Owner removed cutting board. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed unlabeled spray bottle with red liquid in it on shelf above three part sink. Owner labeled bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Observed no covered container in women's public restroom. **Repeat Violation**
32-12-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup in reach in freezer.
14-69-4
64
Nov 7, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - 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. Observed some employees with no written plan in place.
11-26-1
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Observed no covered receptacle in women's restroom. **Repeat Violation**
32-12-5
86
Jul 24, 2023
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. No covered receptacle in women's restroom. **Repeat Violation**
32-12-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Squeeze bottles not labeled.
02D-01-5
90
Jan 27, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Employee switched from working with raw food to ready-to-eat food without washing hands. Observed employee touch raw beef then go to prepare sandwich without changing gloves and washing hands. Employee changed gloves and washed hands. Inspector coached operator and employee on proper hand washing procedures. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-12-4
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired. Operator renewed while on premise. **Corrected On-Site**
50-17-3
Intermediate - 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. No clean up sign in place. Inspector will email.
11-27-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup in reach in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. No covered receptacle in women's restroom.
32-12-5
Basic - Dishmachine not washing/rinsing properly. Must wash, rinse and sanitize all dishware, equipment and utensils in three-compartment sink until dishmachine is functioning properly. Observed dish machine sanitizer level at 10ppm. Operator set up three part sink to sanitize all dishes and kitchen ware. Operator will call dish machine company. **Corrective Action Taken**
16-55-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee cell phone on shelf below microwave ovens. Operator moved phone. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
55
Sep 23, 2022
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed heavy ice buildup in reach in freezer.
14-69-4
95

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Abuela's Kitchen last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Abuela's Kitchen on file is from Feb 4, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Abuela's Kitchen?

Across the inspection record, “ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Abuela's Kitchen.

How does Abuela's Kitchen compare to other restaurants in Palmetto?

Abuela's Kitchen most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Palmetto average of 83.

Has Abuela's Kitchen's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Abuela's Kitchen have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Abuela's Kitchen means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

How often is Abuela's Kitchen inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Abuela's Kitchen is inspected around two times per year on average.