Cantina Fresh Mex Grill
Last inspected: Feb 3, 2026
55
Score
Cantina Fresh Mex Grill has been inspected 10 times since 2022. The most recent report on file is from Feb 3, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around five violations per visit versus roughly three violations earlier in the record.
The pattern that stands out is “equipment in poor repair”, which has been cited seven times.
Restaurants in Miami average 74, so Cantina Fresh Mex Grill trails the local norm. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
10
Inspections
3
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 3, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Warewashing sanitizing solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed. Observed Triple Sink (Quaternary 400+ppm). Operator added more water for final concentration Triple Sink (Quaternary 200ppm). **Corrected On-Site**
41-18-4
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired 10/1/2025. Operator paid for license during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
50-17-3
High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Observed non food grade paper towel lining container of green peppers inside walk in cooler.
14-86-1
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed walk in freezer gasket broken on door. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup on floor inside walk in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler gaskets at front counter soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
55
Sep 30, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed pain reliever stored on prep table in back area. Operator properly stored medicine. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-07-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at hand sink in dish area.
31B-03-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed walk in freezer gasket torn. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup on door of walk in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed prep table underneath chip warmer soiled with old food debris.
23-03-4
64
Apr 29, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed 2 bottles with medicine stored above preparation table. Employee removed them. **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn walk in freezer gasket. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed beef and chicken stored in standing water inside the 3 compartment sink.Employee was coached how to thaw food properly.
06-01-5
74
Feb 18, 2025
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
70
Sep 9, 2024
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed door gasket if the walk in cooler is torn. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler gaskets soiled. Employee cleaned them. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
86
Mar 20, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
82
Dec 11, 2023
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
86
Oct 2, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed chicken(46 F - Cooling); shredded pork (46 F - Cold Holding) inside the reach in cooler.As per operator food was placed inside the reach in cooler before 10:00 AM. Stop sale was issued. **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed chicken(46 F - Cooling); shredded pork (46 F - Cold Holding) inside the reach in cooler.As per operator food was placed inside the reach in cooler before 10:00 AM. Stop sale was issued. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw shell eggs stored above cooked beans in the walk in cooler. Operator placed eggs at the bottom. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired Oct 2023. **Warning**
50-17-3
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed Yosiel Garcia 3 months ago. **Warning**
53B-13-5
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. **Warning**
11-27-4
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. **Warning**
11-26-1
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed walk in freezer gasket torn. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-11-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup inside the walk in freezer. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-69-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed utensil in standing water at 79° F at the front line. Operator removed the water. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
10-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler gasket soiled. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed stored food not covered inside the walk in cooler. Operator covered the food. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-12-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed mop stored inside bucket. **Warning**
42-01-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed a container with salt not labeled. **Warning**
02D-01-5
29
Feb 24, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - In-use utensil stored in unclean water at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed utensils stored in water at 86°F at preparation table. Operator reheated the water to 155°F. **Corrected On-Site**
10-05-5
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license since October 1, 2022. The license was paid, validation number 5362898. **Corrected On-Site**
50-17-3
High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed Triple Sink (Quaternary < 100 ppm). Operator changed the solution. Final concentration 200 ppm **Corrected On-Site**
22-43-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. **Repeat Violation**
38-07-4
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed walk in freezer gasket torn. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed iPhone stored at preparation table.
40-06-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Repeat Violation**
50-09-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured between shelves at storage area.
51-11-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed water leaking from faucet at mop sink.
29-11-4
45
Aug 5, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed drawers: cooked chicken (55 F - Cold Holding); cooked beef (54 F - Cold Holding); cooked pork (52 F - Cold Holding) at drawers reach in cooler at front counter. Manager moved the products to another reach in cooler for rapid cooling. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Ambient air thermometer in holding unit not accurate within plus or minus 3 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed the walk in cooler thermometer broken.
05-05-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener blade soiled with accumulation of grease and food debris. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Repeat Violation**
50-09-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed drawers reach in cooler at 54°F. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. At kitchen area.
38-07-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed water leaking from the refrigeration system at walk in freezer.
29-11-4
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cantina Fresh Mex Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cantina Fresh Mex Grill on file is from Feb 3, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cantina Fresh Mex Grill?
Across the inspection record, “equipment in poor repair” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Cantina Fresh Mex Grill.
How does Cantina Fresh Mex Grill compare to other restaurants in Miami?
Cantina Fresh Mex Grill most recently scored 55 out of 100, which is lower than the Miami average of 74.
Has Cantina Fresh Mex Grill's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Cantina Fresh Mex Grill 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 Cantina Fresh Mex Grill 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 Cantina Fresh Mex Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Cantina Fresh Mex Grill is inspected around three times per year on average.
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