Caja Caliente
Last inspected: Oct 8, 2025
82
Score
The health department has logged seven inspections at Caja Caliente, the earliest from 2022. Caja Caliente was last inspected on Oct 8, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around one violation compared to roughly seven violations earlier on.
The pattern that stands out is “cleaned and sanitized equipment”, which has been cited three times.
Among Coral Gables restaurants, the typical score is 68; Caja Caliente is comfortably above that bar. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
7
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 8, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
50-17-3
Basic - Drain cover(s) missing. Observed bat front area.
29-18-4
82
Nov 18, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Aug 1, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
86
May 20, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at steam table shredded beef at 125°F. As per cook the item was cooked early in the morning approximately 2 hours previous the inspection was conducted. The shredded beef was removed and reheated to reach the proper temperature. The steam table also was adjusted to reach 135 for hot holding.
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed a food container stored inside hand sink at cook line.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Observed by the kitchen's entrance two new cooling units: Walk in cooler and Walk in Freezer. The units are in front of restrooms. - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-31: On 01-31-24. Owner never submitted plans for new walk in coolers units to Plan review. Operator never sent plans to Plan review. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
51-16-7
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Pots stored over oven at cook line not inverted.
24-05-4
Basic - Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Empty Food trays stored on floor. Employee removed trays and place them on shelves. **Corrected On-Site**
24-07-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed at kitchen container for salt not labeled.
02D-01-5
61
Oct 27, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 6 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
50-17-3
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed at walk in cooler raw shell eggs over vegetables. Manager removed eggs to the shelf's bottom **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
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. Provided to employees wile conducting the inspection.
11-26-1
Intermediate - Raw/undercooked animal food offered and establishment has no written consumer advisory. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service.
02B-02-5
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.
11-27-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At cook line.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Observed by the kitchen's entrance two new cooling units: Walk in cooler and Walk in Freezer. The units are in front of restrooms.
51-16-7
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-01-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed boxes with meat on floor inside walk in freezer "
08B-38-4
Basic - Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Clean pot on floor.
24-07-4
37
Apr 12, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Front counter.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. At kitchen, cook line, hand sink covered by a food tray.
31A-09-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Disposable utensils on floor at storage area.
25-05-4
Basic - Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Cooling units at front counter.
14-71-4
74
Aug 23, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Food stored in ice used for drinks. See stop sale. Observed a bottle stored inside ice bin. employee discarded ice. **Corrective Action Taken**
08B-56-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed at reach in cooler congri rice not labeled.employee put labels on containers. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed fan at cook line soiled.
23-24-4
Basic - Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Observed clean tray stored on floor. Operator placed tray on shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
24-07-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Reach in freezer at kitchen.
14-69-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. At kitchen shelves soiled.
22-16-4
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Caja Caliente last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Caja Caliente on file is from Oct 8, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Caja Caliente?
Across the inspection record, “cleaned and sanitized equipment” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Caja Caliente.
How does Caja Caliente compare to other restaurants in Coral Gables?
Caja Caliente most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is higher than the Coral Gables average of 68.
Has Caja Caliente's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Caja Caliente have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Caja Caliente 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 Caja Caliente inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Caja Caliente is inspected around two times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants