Cartagena Restaurant
Last inspected: Feb 25, 2026
61
Score
Public records show five inspections at Cartagena Restaurant stretching back to 2022. Cartagena Restaurant was last inspected on Feb 25, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around four violations each.
“Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
The city-wide average sits at 80, which Cartagena Restaurant's 61 doesn't quite reach. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
5
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 25, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed eggs at reach in glass door cooler at dry storage area stored over unwashed vegetables.
08A-04-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw steak stored over cooked chicken wings at reach in cooler.
08A-05-6
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Observed establishment has no written plans for sushi rice, emailed the operator time as a public health control form.
03F-10-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed multiple metal pots on warewashing shelf not inverted.
24-05-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup at standing reach in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
61
Oct 17, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over raw fish and raw beef inside reach in freezer.
08A-20-5
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
50-17-3
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed front counter handwashing sink blocked with plates and cups. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee food mixed with restaurant food items.
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed rice and cooking oil stored on the floor in the kitchen.
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
22-08-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed trigo, brown sugar, sugar and flour with no name label.
02D-01-5
52
Apr 18, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Mar 13, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired since 10/01/23. Confirmation : 236056987. **Corrected On-Site**
50-17-3
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed 3 compartment sink faucet leaking.
29-11-4
Basic - Worn, torn and/or soiled floors/carpeting. Observed floor soiled behind the cookline. Operator cleaned during the inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
36-10-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed gaskets torn at the reach in cooler in the kitchen.
14-11-5
74
Nov 2, 2022
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 13 minor violations.
View 18 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed carton of raw shell eggs over cheese in the reach in cooler. Operator placed eggs on lower shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed 9 cartons of uncovered ice cream has frost bite in the reach in freezer.
01B-13-4
High Priority - Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Observed moldy bell peppers are inside a container in the kitchen, reach in cooler.
01B-07-4
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with garlic toast in the chest freezer. Operator removed bag. **Corrected On-Site**
14-31-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Multiple cutting boards are soiled.
22-02-4
Basic - Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Observed can opener on the kitchen floor.
24-07-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on oven door handles between uses. Operator removed tongs. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed multiple dishes, pizza shovel, stove, and deep fryers, and rice crock pot is soiled. Observed chest freezer in the dining area has accumulation of mold and mildew. Observed stand up reach in freezer in the dining area, ice maker located at the back door marked exit is soiled.
22-08-4
Basic - Kitchen and dining room floor soiled/has accumulation of debris.
36-73-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed exterior of oven, deep fryers, and inside deep fryer compartment doors, is soiled with old food debris.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed both chest freezers are soiled with accumulation of mold like substances.
22-16-4
Basic - Soiled pizza shovel is stored on top of soiled oven.
10-12-5
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed assorted ice cream not covered in chest freezer. Ice cream has frost bite. Operator discarded ice cream. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Throughout the kitchen areas.
36-27-5
Basic - Working containers of sugar and salt in jars removed from original container not identified by common name. Sitting on top of the reach in container.
02D-01-5
Basic - Case of cooking oil is on the kitchen floor not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Located next to the handwash sink.
08B-47-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage in the kitchen.
36-32-5
26
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cartagena Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cartagena Restaurant on file is from Feb 25, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cartagena Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Cartagena Restaurant.
How does Cartagena Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Miami Gardens?
Cartagena Restaurant most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Miami Gardens average of 80.
Has Cartagena Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Cartagena Restaurant have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Cartagena Restaurant 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 Cartagena Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Cartagena Restaurant is inspected around two times per year on average.
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