Cocteles Y Paletas El Mexicano

4475 Sw Sr 47, Lake City, FL 32024
Mexican / Latin
Last inspected: Feb 18, 2026
58
Score
Medium Risk

The health department has logged seven inspections at Cocteles Y Paletas El Mexicano, the earliest from 2023. The newest entry in the record is dated Feb 18, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.

Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near three violations per visit.

Compared to other Lake City restaurants (averaging 80), there's room to close the gap. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.

7
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 18, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation.
View 3 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
58
Sep 23, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Sep 17, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
61
Apr 18, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found Observed: 2 flying insects on the food truck.
35A-02-7
Basic - Mobile food dispensing vehicle license number not permanently affixed on the side of the unit in figures at least 2 inches high and in contrasting colors from the background of the vehicle. Observed: lack of a qualifying number visible on the service window side of the truck.
50-04-4
Basic - Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink, three-compartment sink, or mop sink. Observed: the hand wash sink drains slowly.
29-20-5
78
Sep 13, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Sep 12, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken over raw beef in reach in cooler, operator moved chicken to the bottom. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. salsa homemade (80F - Cold Holding) item sitting on front counter for 1 hour, spoke to operator about either placing item in cooler or time as a public health control. sour cream (61F - Cold Holding); tomato (60F - Cold Holding); salsa (48F - Cold Holding); items in cooler by back door, the lid was kept open and gaps were in top portion so when the cooler is opened all of the cold air was escaping, operator had lid closed and added empty containers in gaps. beef (47F - Cold Holding); pork (46F - Cold Holding); milk (45F - Cold Holding) items in cooler closest to drivers seat, chicken was cooked and cooling in cooler, thermometer in cool read 41F, spoke to operator about cooling cooked foods in ice bathes before placing in cooler to affect other cold holding food items. **Warning**
03A-02-5
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. 1 dead roach under Three compartment sink, operator cleaned and sanitized area. **Corrected On-Site**
35A-03-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. In cooler by back door.
05-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. 2 drinks next to employee cutting cilantro, operator placed drinks at the bottom. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Wooden shelf under prep table at front of truck. Wooden piece under steam table area next to microwave.
14-47-4
61
Nov 8, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Cocteles Y Paletas El Mexicano last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Cocteles Y Paletas El Mexicano on file is from Feb 18, 2026. The public record contains seven inspections in total.

How does Cocteles Y Paletas El Mexicano compare to other restaurants in Lake City?

Cocteles Y Paletas El Mexicano most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Lake City average of 80.

Has Cocteles Y Paletas El Mexicano's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Cocteles Y Paletas El Mexicano have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Cocteles Y Paletas El Mexicano 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 Cocteles Y Paletas El Mexicano inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Cocteles Y Paletas El Mexicano is inspected around three times per year on average.