Cafe La Buca
Last inspected: Nov 20, 2025
43
Score
The health department has logged nine inspections at Cafe La Buca, the earliest from 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Nov 20, 2025. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.
Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around five violations per visit lately, up from roughly one violation before.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated”, showing up three times.
Compared to other Pompano Beach restaurants (averaging 78), there's room to close the gap. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.
9
Inspections
3
Critical latest
2
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 20, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
43
Jul 17, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation.
View 3 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
67
Dec 11, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In reach in freezer, raw steak stored over ready to eat French fries. Operator moved fries to top shelf **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In reach in cooler, raw steak stored over ready to eat pasta. Op over pasta to top shelf **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. On cook line, wiping cloth used to cover ready to eat clams and muscles. Operator removed cloth **Corrected On-Site**
14-86-1
64
Sep 11, 2024
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. By back door, scoop handle laying in salt and sugar containers. Operator removed scoops **Corrective Action Taken**
10-01-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. On cook line, squeeze bottles not labeled with common name.
02D-01-5
90
Mar 22, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
86
Feb 12, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Dec 13, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In reach in cooler, raw chicken spread over ready to eat cooked octopus. In reach in cooler, raw shell eggs stored over ready to eat deserts. Operator reversed. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. In kitchen on shelf across from dish area, unlabeled spray bottle with windex. Operator labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-02-5
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.
11-26-1
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. At cook line, employee water bottle stored on cutting board. Employee moved to lower shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
61
Mar 17, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. At reach in cooler by cookline- raw chicken over octopus- operator moved chicken to lower shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. At reachin freezer by cookline- raw chicken not commercially packaged over raw shrimp- operator moved raw chicken to lower shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-17-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At tall reach in cooler- ground beef 45-46F- cold holding- operator states food not prepared or portioned today - operator states food out for 15 minutes- operator placed in reach in cooler to quick chill.
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Clam tags not maintained in chronological order according to the last date they were served in the establishment.
01C-05-4
Intermediate - Clam tags not marked with last date served.
01C-03-4
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Repeat Violation**
53B-05-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on prep table by cookline- operator removed.
40-06-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employees cup of coffee on prep table at cookline- operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
41
Nov 1, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Since 12/01/2021 Operator tried to renew license online did not work. Operator tried over the phone and did not work Tallahassee representative told operator that payment can not be taking over the phone and needs to send payment via mail. Operator wrote a check and sent payment **Corrective Action Taken**
50-17-2
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-05-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance ( degreaser)not labeled. Operator labeled **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cafe La Buca last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cafe La Buca on file is from Nov 20, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cafe La Buca?
Across the inspection record, “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Cafe La Buca.
How does Cafe La Buca compare to other restaurants in Pompano Beach?
Cafe La Buca most recently scored 43 out of 100, which is lower than the Pompano Beach average of 78.
Has Cafe La Buca's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Cafe La Buca have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Cafe La Buca means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Cafe La Buca inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Cafe La Buca is inspected around three times per year on average.
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