Cuba Lives Restaurant
Last inspected: Dec 10, 2025
90
Score
Public records show nine inspections at Cuba Lives Restaurant stretching back to 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Dec 10, 2025. 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 13 violations to closer to nine violations per visit over the last few inspections.
Looking across the full record, “stored food not covered” is the recurring theme, flagged five times.
Restaurants in Hialeah average 76, so Cuba Lives Restaurant is doing better than most peers. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 10, 2025
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed hand sink white cutting boards grooved at kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-10: Observed hand sink white cutting boards grooved. **Time Extended**
14-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed cooked beans in drying board clean containers with old labels stuck. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-10: Observed clean containers with old labels stuck. **Time Extended**
16-46-4
90
Dec 9, 2025
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed noodles salad stored under raw pork. Operator stored noodles salad in a different shelf with ready to eat foods only. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **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 inside warmer pork Milanese (117F - Hot Holding) according to cook placed 90 minutes ago. Operator reheated product at oven 20 minutes later pork Milanese (167F - Hot Holding) **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed under hard sink at ware washing area, hose connected no vacuum breaker breaker. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
29-34-4
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed four dented cans at dry storage area. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
01B-01-4
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee put gloves to handle food, no hand washing prior observed. Manager coached employee on proper glove use and hand washing. Employee removed gloves, washed hands d hands and then put gloves on. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed employee washing hands at 3 compartment sink. **Warning**
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times.observed lids inside hand wash sink sink next to 3 compartment sink, hand sink no accessible for hand washing. Operator removed lids from inside hand sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31A-09-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed hand sink white cutting boards grooved at kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-09-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Observed at kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
21-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters soiled, gaskets on reach in coolers spoiled. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed cooked beans in drying board clean containers with old labels stuck. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
16-46-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed cooked beans, soups and meats inside walk in cooler no covered. Operator covered all food containers. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08B-12-5
Basic - Straws provided for customer self-service not individually wrapped or in an approved dispenser. Observed at bar area. Operator placed non wrapped straws behind counter, away from customer reach. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
25-27-4
29
Apr 15, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed calamari stored on thank you bags, inside vertical freezer. Manager stored calamari in food grade bags. **Corrected On-Site**
14-31-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed under hand wash sink at ware washing area. Hose no vacuum breaker. **Repeat Violation**
29-34-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand sink by food warmers used as a dump sink.
31A-11-4
Basic - Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Observed at kitchen over prep table. Manager removed bug zapper. **Corrected On-Site**
35B-02-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed cooked spaghetti, cooked macaroni, cooked shredded chicken, and smoked pork loin inside walking cooler. Operator covered food containers. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Straws provided for customer self-service not individually wrapped or in an approved dispenser. Observed at bar area. **Repeat Violation**
25-27-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed dusty walls at kitchen on wall behind desserts cooler. And reach in cooler connecting with whit buffet salad area. **Repeat Violation**
36-27-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed sugar container no labeled at storage area. Manager labeled sugar container. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed at kitchen dusty vents. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed car keys and headphones on shelves above prep area at kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed broken plastic containers in use. **Repeat Violation**
14-38-4
45
Nov 13, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 14 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
23
May 17, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 11 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. Employee touched face, put gloves on and engaged in food preparation whit out washing hands first. Manager coached employee in proper hand washing and glove use. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-10-4
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed next to mop sink hose connected no vac breaker.
29-34-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed plastic jar inside hand wash sink at prep area. Manager removed jar from inside hand was sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed two cell phones inside rack with clean equipment. Manager removed cellphones. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Employees wearing wrist watches, gold wrist chains while preparing food.
13-07-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed inside walk in cooler.
36-22-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed plastic container with flour stored on the floor under shelf. Manager stored flour container on shelf six inch above the floor. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Salad bar/buffet plates/bowls not properly protected or inverted to prevent contamination. Observed at buffet plates not inverted. Manager inverted plates. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
24-11-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed cooked pork leg, cooked beef, cooked yuca inside walk in cooler, no covered. **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Straws provided for customer self-service not individually wrapped or in an approved dispenser. Observed tick straws no individually wrapped at bar. Manager removed straws from bar area. **Corrected On-Site**
25-27-4
45
Nov 15, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed next to mop sit hose connected no vacuum breakers.
29-34-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed inside food warmer white rice (120F - Hot Holding); fried rice (121F - Hot Holding); according to manager prepared 90 minutes ago. Cook put rice containers inside oven to reheat. 25 minutes later white rice (170F - Hot Holding); fried rice (168F - Hot Holding); **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand sink used as a dump sin, observed ice inside hand sink at bar. **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed window cleaner on spray bottle. Manager labeled spray bottle.
41-17-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed two ice machines by mop sink soiled.
22-20-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed on oven door handles at kitchen
23-24-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed shoes stored on drying rack at were washing area. Employee removed shoes from drying rack. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employees preparing food no hair restraints. Employees put hair nets on. **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed food debris on the floor under shelving inside walk in cooler.
36-73-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed on oven door at kitchen. Employee removed tongs from oven door. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Observed at kitchen towels under cutting boards. **Repeat Violation**
21-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters soiled, reach in coolers and freezers gaskets soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Salad bar/buffet plates/bowls not properly protected or inverted to prevent contamination. Observed plates on buffet line not inverted. Employee inverted plates during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
24-11-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed containers with cooked black beans, chicken noodles soup, pork legs and cooked fish, inside walk in cooler no covered.. **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
37
Nov 2, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
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. Provided form during inspection.
11-27-4
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 form during inspection.
11-26-1
82
Jul 15, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board soiled. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-15: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed cooler gasket torn in. - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-15: **Time Extended**
14-11-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed cooler gasket soiled. - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-15: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
82
Jul 14, 2022
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed cooked yellow rice (48F - Cooling); cooked pork (47-46F - Cooling)stored inside walk in cooler. As per operator food was prepared yesterday. Observed cooked mac and cheese (69F - Cooling)stored inside standing cooler in the kitchen area. As per operator Mac and cheese is front yesterday. Operator discarded it. **Repeat Violation**
03D-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs over cooked pork inside walk in cooler. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed cooked yellow rice (48F - Cooling); cooked pork (47-46F - Cooling)stored inside walk in cooler. As per operator food was prepared yesterday. Observed cooked mac and cheese (69F - Cooling)stored inside standing cooler in the kitchen area. As per operator Mac and cheese is front yesterday. Observed vanilla custard (48-44F - Cold Holding)stored inside dessert cooler. Observed ham spread (47F - Cold Holding), tuna salad (49F - Cold Holding) stored inside standing cooler in the kitchen area. Ask per operator food was prepared yesterday. **Repeat Violation**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed vanilla custard (48-44F - Cold Holding)stored inside dessert cooler. Observed ham spread (47F - Cold Holding), tuna salad (49F - Cold Holding) stored inside standing cooler in the kitchen area. Ask per operator food was prepared yesterday.
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed flan stored inside standing cooler not dated. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed plastic bottle with table cleaner not labeled. **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Located by the dishwasher area. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board soiled. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. **Repeat Violation**
23-24-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee cup of water stored by front bar counter. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed cooler gasket torn in.
14-11-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed interior of microwave soiled.
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed cooler gasket soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed cooked pork stored inside walk in cooler not covered. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
26
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cuba Lives Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cuba Lives Restaurant on file is from Dec 10, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cuba Lives Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “stored food not covered” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Cuba Lives Restaurant.
How does Cuba Lives Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Hialeah?
Cuba Lives Restaurant most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Hialeah average of 76.
Has Cuba Lives Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Cuba Lives Restaurant have averaged around nine violations per visit, down from roughly 13 earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Cuba Lives Restaurant 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 Cuba Lives Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Cuba Lives Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
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