Cowboy Taco
Last inspected: Mar 3, 2026
86
Score
The health department has logged 11 inspections at Cowboy Taco, the earliest from 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Mar 3, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around five violations to closer to three violations per visit over the last few inspections.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food”, showing up two times.
The city-wide average for Lake Placid sits at 82, putting Cowboy Taco on the better side of that line. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 3, 2026
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
86
Dec 16, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
82
Nov 20, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs over sauces in walk in cooler. Operator removed and stored Raw shell eggs correctly. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Items stored in sink at check out. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-02-5
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Operator placed on beard. **Corrected On-Site**
13-04-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
64
Jul 15, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
58
Mar 7, 2025
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
86
Mar 5, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
67
Nov 8, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
95
Jul 2, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation.
View 3 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
67
Feb 14, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink by mop sink. Operator placed paper towels at location. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
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. Provided Operator with the Food Reporting Agreement, not all employees were able to sign by completion of inspection. Operator will have all others sign by next routine inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
24-08-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area.
12B-02-4
Basic - Ceiling tile missing at mop sink.
36-36-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food in bulk pico de gallo in walk in. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
64
Dec 12, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - Drain cover(s) missing at triple sink .
29-18-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
35B-01-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle at hand washing sink in back.
29-11-4
86
Jul 18, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Chicken and beef in reach in freezer no date mark. Operator placed date mark on items. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-04-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles reach in freezer.
23-24-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair at mop sink.
36-32-5
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container in bulk salt and sugar. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
10-06-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust, containers soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures, shelves above the three compartment sink.
36-50-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle at vegetable sink.
29-11-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food in bulk salt. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cowboy Taco last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cowboy Taco on file is from Mar 3, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cowboy Taco?
Across the inspection record, “bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Cowboy Taco.
How does Cowboy Taco compare to other restaurants in Lake Placid?
Cowboy Taco most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is higher than the Lake Placid average of 82.
Has Cowboy Taco's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Cowboy Taco have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Cowboy Taco 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 Cowboy Taco inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Cowboy Taco is inspected around three times per year on average.
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