Cacao Express
Last inspected: Jan 20, 2026
95
Score
Public records show 10 inspections at Cacao Express stretching back to 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Jan 20, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around 11 violations to closer to three violations per visit over the last few inspections.
Looking across the full record, “food stored on floor” is the recurring theme, flagged four times.
The city-wide average for Miami sits at 74, putting Cacao Express on the better side of that line. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 20, 2026
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn.
14-11-5
95
Dec 26, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored over containers of heavy cream at walk in cooler.
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed plastic lid stored over hand sink near 3 compartment sink. Employee removed item. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed oven handles soiled with old food debris. Located at cook line and across from bathroom.
23-24-4
Basic - Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Observed soiled cardboard lining shelves underneath preparation table across from 3 compartment sink.
14-45-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed plastic containers of cooking oil and liquid margarine stored on floor near slicer.
08B-38-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed hole in ceiling near walk in cooler.
36-24-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed shelf underneath flat top grill soiled with accumulated old food debris.
23-03-4
61
Dec 6, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
86
Jun 11, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed peas stored in non food grade bag at reach in freezer across from cook line.
14-31-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed interior of sugar container soiled near cook line. Observed rice scoop handle soiled with old food debris. Operator removed scoop from rice and took to ware washing area. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed metal pans not inverted at storage area.
24-05-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor soiled with old food debris between stoves at cook line.
36-73-4
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed rice container lid missing at front line.
14-38-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Food stored on floor. Observed plastic containers of cooking oil and mayonnaise stored on floor at preparation areas.
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed storage shelves at cook line soiled with old food debris.
23-03-4
61
Jan 18, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed: Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed food employees washing hands at 3 compartment sink. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-18: Observed: Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed food employees washing hands at 3 compartment sink. **Admin Complaint**
12A-03-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed: Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed interior of rice container soiled in front of cook line. Observed stored utensils soiled on shelves near ware washing area. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-18: Observed interior of rice container soiled in front of cook line. **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Observed: Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Observed cardboard lining shelves underneath preparation tables near 3 compartment sink. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-18: Observed cardboard lining shelves underneath preparation tables near 3 compartment sink. **Time Extended**
14-45-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed: Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling soiled with dust and food debris throughout kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-18: Observed ceiling soiled with dust and food debris throughout kitchen. **Time Extended**
36-34-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee phone and beverage on preparation table at cook line. Employee removed items. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-18: Observed employee beverage on slicer. **Time Extended**
40-06-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed: Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed no lid provided for brown rice container. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-18: Observed no lid provided for brown rice container. **Time Extended**
14-38-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food stored on floor. Food stored on floor. Observed containers of mayonnaise and potatoes stored in floor at walk in cooler. Observed containers of cooking oil stored on floor near cook line and at preparation areas. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-18: Observed containers of mayonnaise and potatoes stored in floor at walk in cooler. Observed containers of cooking oil stored on floor near cook line and at preparation areas. **Time Extended**
08B-38-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Observed: Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed hole in ceiling in front of cook line. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-18: Observed: Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed hole in ceiling in front of cook line. **Time Extended**
36-24-5
61
Jan 17, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 5 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 19 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed: Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed lettuce stored inside garbage bag at walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-31-5
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed: Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken stored over raw beef liver and raw pork at reach in cooler at cook line. Discussed with employee. **Warning**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked pork (46F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (49F - Cold Holding); shredded chicken (129F - Cooling) at room temperature across from walk in cooler. As per employee products were removed from walk in cooler for cleaning for approximately 10 minutes. Observed Swiss cheese (49F - Cold Holding); cut cheese (45F - Cold Holding) at reach in cooler. As per employee for 20 minutes. Observed raw chicken (48F - Cold Holding) at room temperature near cook line. As per employee for approximately 10 minutes. **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Observed: Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. **Warning**
12A-16-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed: Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed food employees washing hands at 3 compartment sink. **Warning**
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed: Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed interior of rice container soiled in front of cook line. Observed stored utensils soiled on shelves near ware washing area. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed: Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed cutting board, container and coffee machine stored over hand sink at ware washing area. Employee removed items. Also observed garbage can stored in front of hand sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink removed from food preparation/dishwashing area. Must be reinstalled in the same location where removed. Observed no hot or cold running water available when valves are open at hand sink at ware washing area. **Warning**
31A-04-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed: No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed at bathroom and ar hand sink near ware washing area. **Warning**
31B-02-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed: Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed styrofoam cup stored inside container of cheese at single door reach in cooler below slicer. **Warning**
14-01-5
Basic - Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Observed: Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Observed cardboard lining shelves underneath preparation tables near 3 compartment sink. **Warning**
14-45-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed: Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling soiled with dust and food debris throughout kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-34-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee phone and beverage on preparation table at cook line. Employee removed items. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed: Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed no lid provided for brown rice container. **Warning**
14-38-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Food stored on floor. Observed containers of mayonnaise and potatoes stored in floor at walk in cooler. Observed containers of cooking oil stored on floor near cook line and at preparation areas. **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed: In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed scoop handle touching flour inside container. **Warning**
10-01-5
Basic - Observed: Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed food employees portioning and preparing food not wearing hair restraint. **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Observed: Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed hole in ceiling in front of cook line. **Warning**
36-24-5
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed plumbing leading to hand sink in disrepair. Observed pipes disconnected and covered with plastic bag. **Warning**
29-11-4
20
Sep 1, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
70
Feb 2, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. No food grade bags for plantains at reach in freezer.
14-31-5
Intermediate - Test kit for measuring the concentration of the sanitizing solution not used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions or employee unaware of proper use
16-43-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed at walk in cooler food containers for beans and shredded beef with old labels. Operator removed old labels. **Corrected On-Site**
16-46-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Prep area, kitchen.
14-33-4
67
Dec 9, 2022
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Clean pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. **Corrected On-Site**
24-05-4
95
Aug 8, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand sink at kitchen.
31B-02-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Pans not properly stored.
24-05-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-03-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cacao Express last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cacao Express on file is from Jan 20, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cacao Express?
Across the inspection record, “food stored on floor” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Cacao Express.
How does Cacao Express compare to other restaurants in Miami?
Cacao Express most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Miami average of 74.
Has Cacao Express' inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Cacao Express have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly 11 earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Cacao Express 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 Cacao Express inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Cacao Express is inspected around three times per year on average.
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