Carrot Express

5850 Sunset Dr Ste B, South Miami, FL 33143
Vegetarian
Last inspected: Nov 13, 2025
90
Score
Low Risk

Carrot Express has been inspected 11 times since 2022. On Nov 13, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.

Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around three violations to closer to seven violations per visit.

Across the inspection history, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.

The city-wide average for South Miami sits at 63, putting Carrot Express on the better side of that line. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.

11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 13, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed on knife magnet. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-11-13: **Time Extended**
22-31-4
90
Nov 12, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in reach in cooler against wall: tuna salad (67F - Cold Holding); chicken salad (56F - Cold Holding); pico de gallo (70F - Cold Holding); corn (60F - Cold Holding); black beans (55F - Cold Holding); quinoa (70F - Cold Holding); alfalfa sprouts (56F - Cold Holding); bean sprouts (57F - Cold Holding); goat cheese (66F - Cold Holding). As per operator, all food was prepped day before. **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed in reach in cooler against wall: tuna salad (67F - Cold Holding); chicken salad (56F - Cold Holding); pico de gallo (70F - Cold Holding); corn (60F - Cold Holding); black beans (55F - Cold Holding); quinoa (70F - Cold Holding); alfalfa sprouts (56F - Cold Holding); bean sprouts (57F - Cold Holding); goat cheese (66F - Cold Holding). As per operator, all food was prepped day before. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Employee used the bathroom and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands upon returning to employee area. Observed employee come from restroom area and enter kitchen and began to put on gloves with no handwashing. Inspector stepped in and went over handwashing with employee. Employee washed hands. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12A-11-4
High Priority - Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee rub face with gloved hand and not wash hands after removing gloves. Inspector went over handwashing with manager on duty. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
12A-25-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand sink in prep area used as dump sink. **Warning**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed on knife magnet. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-31-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed unlabeled spray bottle on chemical rack in prep area. **Warning**
41-17-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Observed no poster; inspector provided via email. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
51-13-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets soiled in reach in coolers. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available. Observed no copy on site. **Warning**
51-18-6
Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Observed reach in cooler next to steam table not functioning. **Warning**
14-74-7
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed Stanley on reach in cooler in kitchen. **Warning**
12B-07-4
32
Jul 8, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Employee touched bare body part and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee touch face and then begin placing gloves on. Inspector stepped in and coached employees on proper handwashing techniques. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-10-4
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Operator dated. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed dusty shelves where dry food storage is held.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed on knife magnets in kitchen and across double sink.
22-31-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed car keys next to microwave above prep table.
40-06-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed in reach in freezer where açaí bowls are held.
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed top of oven soiled on cook line.
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed on dry racks across dish machine.
16-46-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Observed open at time of inspection.
33-16-4
50
Apr 18, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Mar 18, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - 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 original three compartment sink remived and changed for two compartment sink with a bar stile dishwasher machine (chlorine 50 ppm). **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-18: At time of callback inspection observed no submitted plans for update dish washing area. Operator awaiting plan review. **Time Extended**
51-16-7
90
Jan 16, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at drawer reach in coolers at cook line brussel sprouts (63F - Cold Holding); quinoa (65F - Cold Holding); corn (62F - Cold Holding). As per operator was stored from the night before more than 4 hours. Cooler was turned off during cleaning. Operator turned on cooler and ambient temperature reached 37F from 67F during inspection. Operator voluntarily discarded items. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed at drawer reach in coolers at cook line brussel sprouts (63F - Cold Holding); quinoa (65F - Cold Holding); corn (62F - Cold Holding). As per operator was stored from the night before more than 4 hours. **Warning**
01B-02-5
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 original three compartment sink remived and changed for two compartment sink with a bar stile dishwasher machine (chlorine 50 ppm). **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
51-16-7
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed on storage shelves at cook line to go bowls. Operator inverted. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
25-06-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at cook line prep table spoons in standing water of 81F. **Warning**
10-07-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed at kitchen prep table containers of granola, nuts, and other toppings not covered. **Warning**
08B-12-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed at rear prep area on shelf in containers of salt and pepper. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
14-01-5
55
Aug 28, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed brown rice (48 F - Cold Holding) at preparation table. As per operator the product will be reheated.
03A-02-5
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 http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Observed the three compartment sink was eliminated and changed for two compartment sink with a bar stile dishwasher machine (chlorine 50 ppm). **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
51-16-7
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed quinoa with brown rice labeled at standing reach in cooler. Operator changed the labels. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
70
Apr 22, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - 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 the three compartment sink was eliminated and changed for two compartment sink with a small bar stile dishwasher machine (chlorine 50 ppm). **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-22: 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 the three compartment sink was eliminated and changed for two compartment sink with a bar stile dishwasher machine (chlorine 50 ppm). **Warning** **Admin Complaint**
51-16-7
90
Feb 20, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Wiping cloth solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed stored in a location that could result in the cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Observed Sanitizer Bucket (Quaternary 500 ppm) and spray bottle (Quaternary 500 ppm) at preparation table. Operator added water to the containers to get 200 ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-15-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw salmon and raw fish stored over vegan burger at drawers reach in cooler Operator relocated the vegan burger. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked rice (125 F - Hot Holding) at rice cooker. As per operator for less than 1 hour. Operator moved the rice to be reheated. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Establishment packaging time/temperature control for safety food using a reduced oxygen method that does not control the growth of and toxin formation of C. botulinum and the growth of Listeria monocytogenes. Establishment does not have an approved variance from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Observed chicken salad on vacuum packaging at walk-in cooler. The product is received from the commissary of Carrots express license number NOS 1625304, located at CARROT EXPRESS COMMISSARY LLC 105 E HALLANDALE BEACH BLVD HALLANDALE BEACH FL 33009. No variance approved was observed on Onbase. **Warning**
03G-43-1
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/. Observed five employees at the the time of the inspection no currently certified food manager. **Warning**
53A-05-6
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 the three compartment sink was eliminated and changed for two compartment sink with a small bar stile dishwasher machine (chlorine 50 ppm). **Warning**
51-16-7
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. Observed one new employee no proof of food employee reporting agreement. Operator printed and employee signed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
11-26-1
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed oil container stored on floor. Operator moved the container to a shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employees wearing bracelets and watches while preparing food. **Warning**
13-07-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Warning**
50-09-4
37
Aug 8, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 6 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 21 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed lentils soup (102 F - Hot Holding) at front counter. As per operator for less than one hour. Operator moved the product to the stove to reheat the product. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked rice (59 F - Cold Holding) at preparation table. As per operator for less than one hour. Operator moved the product to the reach in cooler for rapid cooling. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw salmon stored over sauce container at reach in cooler preparation area. Operator moved the salmon to the bottom part. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - In-use utensil stored in unclean water at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in use utensils stored in water at 70°F.
10-05-5
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. Clean up of vomiting and diarrheal events handout was provided.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting board soiled at preparation reach in cooler.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/
53A-05-6
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. One located next to mop sink.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. One located next to mop sink.
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Sink compartments of three-compartment sink too small to accommodate utensils or equipment. Observed pans and pots and some containers can not be sanitized on the three compartment sink due to the sinks are too small.
16-08-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed plastic containers without handle inside of quinoa and rice containers. Operator removed the plastic containers. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Clean equipment/utensils not stored at least 6 inches above the floor. Observed a clean lid container stored on floor next to shelf.
24-26-4
Basic - Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Observed the cut potatoes equipment inside of the mop sink. And cutting boards stored next to mop bucket and mops.
24-07-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed green, white, yellow and red cutting boards no longer cleanable and with mold like substance.
14-09-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit located in front of three compartment sink.
05-09-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. One located next to mop sink.
31B-04-4
Basic - Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Observed sanitizer bucket stored on preparation tables next to reach in cooler preparation area. Operator relocated the bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
21-44-1
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed several wet wiping cloth on preparation tables.
21-12-4
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observed Sanitizer Bucket (Quaternary 100 ppm). Operator changed the sanitizer solution. Final concentration 200 ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
21-08-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed quinoa and rice containers not identified by common name.
02D-01-5
17
Dec 21, 2022
Food-Licensing Inspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed the triple sink area hand wash sink with mo hand wash sign, paper towels or hand soap
31B-04-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Emailed operator the chocking poster
51-13-4
Basic - Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Observed the package carrot cakes on site missing the establishment name, address.
02D-03-4
86

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Carrot Express last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Carrot Express on file is from Nov 13, 2025. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Carrot Express?

Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Carrot Express.

How does Carrot Express compare to other restaurants in South Miami?

Carrot Express most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the South Miami average of 63.

Has Carrot Express' inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Carrot Express have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Carrot 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 Carrot Express inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Carrot Express is inspected around four times per year on average.