Buena Vida Cafe
Last inspected: Mar 4, 2026
82
Score
Buena Vida Cafe appears in inspection records six times, starting in 2024. The newest entry in the record is dated Mar 4, 2026. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around one violation compared to roughly four violations earlier on.
Restaurants in Wellington average 71, so Buena Vida Cafe is doing better than most peers. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
6
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 4, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. At cook line cooling drawers, vacuum sealed fish thawed. See stop sale.
01B-13-4
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. At cook line cooling drawers, vacuum sealed fish thawed. See stop sale.
06-09-1
82
Nov 7, 2025
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knives in between prep counters- operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
95
Mar 18, 2025
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. At reach in cooler- in use avocados with stickers attached - educated operator - employee removed. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-39-4
95
Nov 14, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
70
Mar 4, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Feb 29, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
5 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Double door cooler-freezer stainless steel unit, freezer section: raw salmon and raw tuna stored over muffins Raw beef burgers stored over ready to eat burger buns. Advised manager to store properly. **Warning**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. At flip top unit #2: Raw salmon stored above tuna salad, chicken salad and sliced tomatoes. Double door cooler-freezer stainless steel unit, cooler section: raw turkey stored above cooked potatoes and cut lettuce. Advised manager of how to proper store raw animal foods with ready to eat. Emailed food storage guideline poster. **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At flip top cooler unit#1: raw shrimp (47F - Cold Holding), as per chef, taken from bottom section of flip top unit from 8:00am (more than 4 hours). sausage (45F - Cold Holding), as per chef, stored in unit overnight. sauerkraut (45F - Cold Holding), as per chef, stored in unit overnight. Neither of these items were prepped or portioned today. See stop sale. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At flip top cooler unit#1: raw shrimp (47F - Cold Holding), as per chef, taken from bottom section of flip top unit from 8:00am (more than 4 hours). sausage (45F - Cold Holding), as per chef, stored in unit overnight. sauerkraut (45F - Cold Holding), as per chef, stored in unit overnight. Neither of these items were prepped or portioned today. See stop sale. **Warning**
03A-02-5
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. Dishwasher chlorine solution was 0ppm; manager tried to prime machine however, the chlorine choline remained at 0ppm. Dishwasher set up triple sink and sanitized pans. **Warning**
22-41-4
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Items that are served raw on the menu were not identified with consumer advisory. **Warning**
02B-01-5
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Wiping cloth chlorine solution was 0pm. Manager changed solution to one of 100ppm. **Warning**
21-07-4
41
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Buena Vida Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Buena Vida Cafe on file is from Mar 4, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
How does Buena Vida Cafe compare to other restaurants in Wellington?
Buena Vida Cafe most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is higher than the Wellington average of 71.
Has Buena Vida Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Buena Vida Cafe have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Buena Vida Cafe means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Buena Vida Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Buena Vida Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.
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