Cubanbuffet
Last inspected: Feb 19, 2026
55
Score
Across the available record, Cubanbuffet has 12 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The most recent visit was on Feb 19, 2026. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around nine violations lately compared to roughly three violations before.
Across the inspection history, “bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
Cubanbuffet's latest score of 55 falls below the Hialeah average of 76. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
12
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 19, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed can of WD 40 next dry pasta on a shelf at kitchen area. Employee removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no hand soap at handwashing sink next to 3 compartment sink. Employee provided soap during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed metal can inside plastic container being use to dispense rice. Employee removed and discarded during inspection. Also observed to go plastic container being use to dispense sugar at cook line. Employee removed and discarded during inspection.**Corrected On-Site** **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee prepping food without hair restraint. Employee provided hat during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed plastic containers wet nesting next to 3 compartment sink.
24-08-4
Basic - Faucet/handle missing at plumbing fixture. Observed mop sink faucet missing.
29-09-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed plastic bag with pumpkins being stored on the floor at cook line. Employee removed and stored properly. Also observed bucket with BBQ sauce being stored on the floor inside walk in cooler. Employee removed and stored properly.**Corrected On-Site** **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - No container installed for catching grease from hood drip tray. Observed drip tray missing at cook line.
14-73-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed metal container with BBQ sauce inside walk in cooler not covered. Employee covered with aluminum foil during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
55
Aug 22, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed cheese in a plastic shopping bag in the walk in cooler.
14-31-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb.
29-34-4
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed chlorine sanitizer at 200plus ppm. Operator diluted solution with water. Final reading, 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed the dish washer scrub and rinse a pot but no sanitizer step. The operator filled the sink with water and chlorine and sanitized the pot. **Corrected On-Site**
22-45-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed the can opener blade soiled with old food debris. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Intermediate - Sink compartments of three-compartment sink too small to accommodate utensils or equipment. Observed cooking pots too large to fit in 3 compartment sink.
16-08-4
Basic - No container installed for catching grease from hood drip tray. Observed on one of the hood systems.
14-73-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed above the steam tables and preparation tables.
36-37-5
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed one dead roach by the hot water heater. Operator removed roach and sanitized area. **Corrected On-Site**
35A-03-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
24-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the walk in cooler shelving soiled. Observed the reach in cooler gaskets soiled.
23-03-4
32
May 14, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee change gloves without washing hands first before starting to serve food. Manager coached employees on proper handwashing and gloves use, employee washed his hands and put gloves in. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle with all purpose cleaner not labeled across front oven. Employee labeled product properly during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing water at kitchen and ware washing area. **Repeat Violation**
36-22-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Observed serving scoop inside white rice at steam table area. Manager removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
10-06-5
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Employee closed dumpster during inspection **Corrected On-Site**
33-16-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed pipe leaking at handwashing sink next to 3 compartment sink.
29-11-4
64
Jan 30, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jan 29, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Observed: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Rice puddings (50F - Cold Holding) according to manager prepared two days ago, stored in reach in cooler front area. **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Observed: Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit.observed at preparation area 6:10 AM lentil soup (107F - Hot Holding); black beans (128F - Hot Holding) according to the manager prepared 2.5 hrs ago. Food was taken to the kitchen to reheat , 2nd temperature 630 AM, lentil soup (168F - Hot Holding); black beans (169F - Hot Holding) **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Observed: Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed inside walk in cooler raw uncovered chicken stored in same container with raw packed pork. Operator stored raw chicken separated from raw pork. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Observed: Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed Rice puddings (50F - Cold Holding) according to manager prepared two days ago, stored in reach in cooler front area. **Warning**
01B-02-5
Basic - Observed: Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed can being used as scoop to dispense rice in preparation area. Employee removed and discarded during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
14-01-5
Basic - Observed: Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee handling food without a hair restraint. **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Observed: Food stored in a location that is exposed to splash/dust. Observed not of lettuce next to handwashing sink behind front counter . **Warning**
08B-36-4
Basic - Observed: Uncovered food stored near sink exposed to splash. **Warning** Priority: Basic
08B-54-4
Basic - Observed: Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed plastic containers with sugar and rice not labeled under preparation table in kitchen area. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
02D-01-5
43
Oct 24, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Oct 23, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed dented can of tomatoes at dry storage rack next to dry storage room. Observed 5 dented Cans on dry storage rack. Manager segregated cans to return to vendor. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
01B-01-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at steam table chicken tenders (114F - Hot Holding) prepared 1 hour ago according to to manager. Employee took chicken tenders try to kitchen to reheat. Second temperature, chicken tenders (168F - Hot Reheating.) **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed no hot water at handwashing sink behind front steam table. **Warning**
27-16-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle with vinegar not labeled at front preparation table, employee labeled bottle properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-17-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed metal container with no handle being used as scoop inside plastic rice container across from back oven. Employee removed it during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
14-01-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed pots not inverted at storage area. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
24-05-4
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employees wearing watches and bracelets while prepping food. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
13-07-4
52
Jun 26, 2024
Routine - Food
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employees serving food, with wrist watches and wrist jewelry on. Employees remove jewelry from wrists. **Corrected On-Site**
13-07-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed 3 boxes with raw pork stored on the floor inside walk in cooler. Manager stored pork boxes six in above the ground. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed inside walk in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed box with single serve containers stored on the floor at dry storage room. Employee stored single serve containers on shelf above the floor. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed inside walk in freezer containers with cooked beef, cooked boniato, raw ground beef, no covered. Employee covered food containers. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed pots on top of rack not inverted. Employee inverted pots. **Corrected On-Site**
24-05-4
74
Feb 29, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed on a faucet next to 3 compartment sink, no vacuum breaker. **Repeat Violation**
29-34-4
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed two faucets no vacuum breakers at mop sink. **Repeat Violation**
29-42-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed at kitchen hand sink, Employee provided soap **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice build up inside walk in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed water from pipe leaking at hand wash sink next to 3 compartment sink.
29-11-4
61
Sep 13, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
64
May 15, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed all training expired on 02/25/2023. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-05-15: Still observed. **Time Extended**
53B-05-5
90
Oct 11, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
50
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cubanbuffet last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cubanbuffet on file is from Feb 19, 2026. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cubanbuffet?
Across the inspection record, “bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Cubanbuffet.
How does Cubanbuffet compare to other restaurants in Hialeah?
Cubanbuffet most recently scored 55 out of 100, which is lower than the Hialeah average of 76.
Has Cubanbuffet's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Cubanbuffet have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Cubanbuffet 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 Cubanbuffet inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Cubanbuffet is inspected around four times per year on average.
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