Carmelita's Mexican Grill & Cantina

1280 Main St, Dunedin, FL 34698

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Apr 23, 2026

Score

Medium Risk

Across the available record, Carmelita's Mexican Grill & Cantina has eight inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The most recent visit was on Apr 23, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.

Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around four violations each.

Across the inspection history, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.

Carmelita's Mexican Grill & Cantina's latest score of 70 falls below the Dunedin average of 74. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Apr 23, 2026

Routine - Food

3 major violations. 1 minor violation.

View 4 violations

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand sink in dish room, replaced **Corrected On-Site**

31B-02-4

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda gun nozzle soiled at bar, removed and cleaned during inspection **Corrected On-Site**

22-02-4

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Miscellaneous items in hand sink in dish room, removed **Corrected On-Site**

31A-09-4

Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. 200ppm, diluted to 100ppm **Corrected On-Site**

21-07-4

Jan 5, 2026

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Stranded cutting boards on reach in deli coolers on cook line. Soda gin nozzles soiled with substance in bar.

22-02-4

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior and lid of ice bin in server wait station soiled with black mold like substance. **Repeat Violation**

22-20-5

Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Conventional oven soiled with burnt food debris.

22-08-4

Apr 7, 2025

Routine - Food

3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.

View 6 violations

High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared in a food establishment and dispensed in a vending machine not consumed/sold within 7 days of preparation. See stop sale. Enchilada sauce prepared on 3/28. Beans cooked on 3/29.

01B-29-5

High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Enchilada sauce prepared on 3/28. Beans cooked on 3/29.

02C-01-5

High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Mahi Mahi not removed from reduced oxygen packaging before thawing. Fish fully thawed.

01B-13-4

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda gun nozzle and tea nozzles soiled. Discussed with kitchen manager.

22-02-4

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Sanitizer bucket sitting in hand wash sink. Operator relocated. **Corrected On-Site**

31A-09-4

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. Mahi Mahi fully thawed in reduced oxygen packaging that states to be removed before or immediately after.

06-09-1

Nov 25, 2024

Routine - Food

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels

FL-14

Hands Clean and Properly Washed

FL-08

Mar 5, 2024

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Beef124F hot holding, chicken 125F hot holding cook began reheat **Corrective Action Taken**

03B-01-6

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cook line.

14-09-4

Basic - Stored food not covered. Lettuce, beans uncovered in walk in cooler. Cook covered items during inspection **Corrected On-Site**

08B-12-5

Sep 27, 2023

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Window cleaner stored above prep table, hand sanitizer stored on prep table. Chemicals were moved to proper storage areas. **Corrected On-Site**

41-10-4

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation**

14-09-4

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Kitchen Manager removed employee beverage. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**

12B-07-4

Mar 7, 2023

Routine - Food

2 major violations. 4 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on cook line.

22-02-4

Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.

16-37-1

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Large white cutting board on cook line an small cutting board behind deeply grooved

14-09-4

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Drink on prep table at cooks line. Cook removed the employee beverage **Corrected On-Site**

12B-07-4

Basic - Stored food not covered. Beef, chicken in walk in cooler.

08B-12-5

Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Walls at the rear of the walk in cooler to the left soiled.

36-27-5

Oct 13, 2022

Routine - Food

2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.

View 6 violations

Employee Health Policies Present

FL-03

Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized

FL-22

Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed

FL-27

Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature

FL-29

Approved Thawing Methods Used

FL-31

Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored

FL-41

Show all 8 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Carmelita's Mexican Grill & Cantina last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Carmelita's Mexican Grill & Cantina on file is from Apr 23, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Carmelita's Mexican Grill & Cantina?

Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Carmelita's Mexican Grill & Cantina.

How does Carmelita's Mexican Grill & Cantina compare to other restaurants in Dunedin?

Carmelita's Mexican Grill & Cantina most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Dunedin average of 74.

Has Carmelita's Mexican Grill & Cantina's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Carmelita's Mexican Grill & Cantina have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Carmelita's Mexican Grill & Cantina 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 Carmelita's Mexican Grill & Cantina inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Carmelita's Mexican Grill & Cantina is inspected around two times per year on average.

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