Dona Empanada
Last inspected: Feb 5, 2026
55
Score
Inspectors have visited Dona Empanada 12 times, with records going back to 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Feb 5, 2026. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around five violations to closer to eight violations per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “ceiling not smooth”, showing up seven times.
Restaurants in Doral average 74, so Dona Empanada trails the local norm. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
12
Inspections
3
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 5, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 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 BEANS (48F - Cooling)at walk in cooler made the day prior.
03D-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed BEANS (48F - Cooling)at walk in cooler made the day prior.
01B-13-4
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed at mop sink.
29-34-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed a case of butter on the floor of the walk in cooler. Operator placed case on shelf.
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs on oven handle at kitchen area.
10-20-4
55
Jul 8, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 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 CHICKEN SALAD (46F - Cooling), BEEF STOCK (45F - Cooling) as per manager more than six hours.
03D-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs over butter at walk in cooler. Manager moved butter and placed on shelf next to eggs. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed CHICKEN SALAD (46F - Cooling), BEEF STOCK (45F - Cooling) as per manager more than six hours.
01B-02-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed filter A/C filter over juice machine soiled with debris at front counter.
36-34-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee engaging in food preparation no wearing proper hair restraint.
13-03-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed two cases of fry oil stored on the floor at rear of building next to chest freezer. Employee raised cases of oil six inches off the ground. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed hole in wall behind small prep table at corner of kitchen.
36-24-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup in chest freezer at kitchen area.
14-69-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongues stored on oven handle employee removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler/ Walk-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed shelves at walk in cooler soiled with debris.
22-16-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall soiled with grease like substance behind dry storage shelf at kitchen area.
36-27-5
43
Jan 21, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at handsink next to 3 compartment sink.
31B-03-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling tile showing water damage at kitchen.
36-32-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling vents soiled through the kitchen,
36-34-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
24-08-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed oil bucket not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor next to 3 compartment sink.
08B-47-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid.
33-16-4
70
Aug 16, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Cheese tequenos (119F - Hot Holding); Cheese and potato empanadas (118F - Hot Holding) at front counter hot box display. As per manager, less than one hour. Manager increased hot box temperature. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Employee has not received adequate training related to their assigned duties as evidenced by the inability to answer basic food safety questions. Observed employee not knowing hot to calibrate thermometer using cold method. Coached employee on correct procedure. **Corrective Action Taken**
53B-16-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed at kitchen area. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Dumpster located outside has no lid.
33-15-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employees with no hair restraints doing food preparation at kitchen area.
13-03-4
Basic - Grease receptacle not on proper pad/nonabsorbent surface at back of store.
33-23-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster.
33-11-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available. Observed inspection posted from 08.06.2021.
51-18-6
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed walk in cooler gaskets soiled.
23-03-4
55
Feb 29, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed seating food service establishment operating with an expired license dated October 1, 2023. Observed approximately 4 food employees engaged in food and beverage preparation, serving 7 customers at time of inspection. Manager renewed license at time of inspection, refreshed database and observed expiration date October 1, 2024. **Corrected On-Site**
50-17-3
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed porous ceiling tiles throughout kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed soiled ceiling vent at hallway, leading towards restroom area.
36-34-5
78
Aug 23, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations.
View 3 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
67
Aug 10, 2023
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in kitchen area. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-08-10: **Time Extended**
36-37-5
95
Aug 8, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 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 shredded beef (52F - 58F Cooling) inside walk in cooler. As per operator shredded beef was cooked the day before between 5pm and 6pm, then placed into walk in cooler overnight. Checked temperature today at 10:50 am, temperatures above 41F, more than 6 hours. **Warning**
03D-02-5
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. Observed shredded beef (52F - 58F Cooling) inside walk in cooler. As per operator shredded beef was cooked the day before between 5pm and 6pm, then placed into walk in cooler overnight. Checked temperature today at 10:50 am, temperatures above 41F, more than 6 hours. **Warning**
01B-36-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed ground beef (45F - Cold Holding); arepas (44F - Cold Holding); corn cachapas (46F - Cold Holding); shredded chicken (45F - Cold Holding) all located inside walk in cooler, less than 4 hours. Operator moved food items into walk in freezer for rapid cooling. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Basic - Accumulation of black mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine located in front counter. **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in kitchen area. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-37-5
Basic - Single-service items for customer self-service not properly protected to prevent contamination. Observed coffee stir straws not individually wrapped for self serve located next to the front door. **Warning**
25-09-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed salt not labeled on shelf at kitchen area, next to the empanada prep station. **Warning**
02D-01-5
52
Apr 10, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed inside Walk in freezer.
36-73-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled Walk in cooler gaskets.
23-03-4
90
Feb 16, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food.
12A-07-5
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. Poster provided via email. The owner printed it and posted it. **Corrected On-Site**
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. Form provided via email. The operator printed it and had all the employees sign it. **Corrected On-Site**
11-26-1
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed water damage throughout the establishment. **Repeat Violation**
36-32-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed on the oven. The owner removed it.
10-20-4
61
Jul 15, 2022
Routine - Food
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-15: Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. **Time Extended**
36-37-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed throughout the kitchen and front line area. - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-15: Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed throughout the kitchen and front line area. **Time Extended**
36-32-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Observed several bottles of rice pudding in the reach in cooler in the dining room without dates or ingredients on the label. As per the manager the items were made 5 days ago. - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-15: Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Observed several bottles of rice pudding in the reach in cooler in the dining room without dates or ingredients on the label. As per the manager the items were made 5 days ago. **Time Extended**
02D-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-15: Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Time Extended**
50-09-4
82
Jul 8, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Observed 3 plastic pans in the walk-in cooler with dates from 06-28-22 two containing cooked beef and 1 with cooked chicken. As per the operator those dates were used to track rotation of frozen items. The items were pulled yesterday from the freezer and cook forgot to change the dates. The operator changed the dates. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-01-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed two 5 gallon containers of cooking oil on the floor by the back door. The manager moved the items. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Garbage can located outside has no lid or lid open/broken.
33-15-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed cracks in the wall in the restroom.
36-24-5
Basic - Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Observed several bottles of rice pudding in the reach in cooler in the dining room without dates or ingredients on the label. As per the manager the items were made 5 days ago.
02D-03-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas.
36-37-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed throughout the kitchen and front line area.
36-32-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
61
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Dona Empanada last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Dona Empanada on file is from Feb 5, 2026. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Dona Empanada?
Across the inspection record, “ceiling not smooth” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Dona Empanada.
How does Dona Empanada compare to other restaurants in Doral?
Dona Empanada most recently scored 55 out of 100, which is lower than the Doral average of 74.
Has Dona Empanada's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Dona Empanada have averaged around eight violations per visit, up from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Dona Empanada 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 Dona Empanada inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Dona Empanada is inspected around three times per year on average.
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