El Buen Sazon Casero
Last inspected: Dec 29, 2025
74
Score
Going back to 2022, El Buen Sazon Casero has eight inspections in the public record. The most recent report on file is from Dec 29, 2025. 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 eight violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “exterior door has an opening at the door knob area that opens” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
Compared to other Clearwater restaurants (averaging 79), there's room to close the gap. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 29, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Basic - Exterior door has an opening at the door knob area that opens to the outside. Reviewed with operator .Operator to close the hole this day .
35B-01-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Shared dumpster
33-16-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name in back kitchen . Reviewed with operator .
02D-01-5
Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors.
32-04-4
74
Apr 24, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Bags of raw chicken stored in same container with bags of raw beef in freezer in back kitchen . Reviewed with manager . Emailed to manager and reviewed handout ALMACENAJE SEGURO EN EL REFRIGERADOR, Manager rearranged food **Corrected On-Site**
08A-17-6
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. 0 ppm chlorine . Manager changed solution. Recheck 100 ppm chlorine **Corrected On-Site**
21-07-4
Basic - Food ( box of tomatoes , jugs of water, , bag of beans and sugar) stored on floor in back kitchen area. Reviewed with manager . Manager relocated food to shelves **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Equipment or utensils not designed or constructed in a durable manner. Broken corner area of ceramic frame of hand wash sink cabinet . Manager has scheduled service for repair
14-10-4
Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Reviewed with manager .
32-04-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public in cooler at cook line . Reviewed with manager . Manager discarded food **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - Employee beverage container next to food on storage shelf in back kitchen . Reviewed with manager . Manager relocated bottle of water **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
64
Jan 14, 2025
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 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.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, or mold-like substance . Cutting boards stained in back food prep area . Reviewed with person in charge
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink in front cook line area . Person in charge placed paper towels at hand wash sink **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Unnecessary persons in the food preparation . Manager states the person does not work in the kitchen . Reviewed with manager .
43-08-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - Exterior door has a hole where a lock once was in the front door that opens to the outside.Reviewed with manager . Tape placed over hole temporarily until a permanent cover is in place. Per operator, to be repair the following day **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
51-13-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee purse next to bottled water and soda under steam table in front line area . Reviewed with person in charge . Purse relocated **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable in food prep area . Reviewed with person in charge
14-09-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
50
Jun 20, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored in same container as ready-to-eat food. Raw shelled eggs stored over washed vegetables in stand alone fridge back of house. Owner moved during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-08-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. During inspection observed salsas prepared onsite in small cups in reach in glass fridge not date marked made yesterday 6-19. Owner put date on all cups. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Outer openings of establishment cannot be properly sealed when not in operation. Whole in front door.
35B-04-4
74
Oct 24, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 7 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Salsa dated 10/7/2023, cooked peppers no date- mold on top of product. All items discarded.
02C-01-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw shell eggs over unwashed produce in stand up LG refrigerator. **Repeat Violation**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Salsa dated 10/7/2023, cooked peppers no date- mold on top of product. All items discarded.
01B-07-4
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Opened milk container no date mark.
02C-03-5
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.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. No certificates available for anyone. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
53A-01-7
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chlorine test kit.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
53B-01-5
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.
11-26-1
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Carnitas and cooked beans no date mark, made on 10/22/2023, date mark adjusted.
02C-02-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
35B-01-4
Basic - Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
22-08-4
Basic - Outer openings of establishment cannot be properly sealed when not in operation. Secondary lock hole not protected from outside environment. Front door.
35B-04-4
27
Sep 26, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. In reach in cooler. Raw eggs , chicken, and beef stored over unwashed lettuce. Provided operator with safe refrigerator storage handout. **Corrective Action Taken** - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-26: **Time Extended**
08A-04-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-26: No proof of any food handler training **Admin Complaint**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-26: No proof of any certified food manager for establishment**Admin Complaint** **Admin Complaint**
53A-01-7
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. No self closing doors on bathroom. - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-26: **Time Extended**
32-04-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Open dumpster lid. Operator closed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-26: **Time Extended**
33-16-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-26: Circle opening on the middle area of front door **Time Extended**
35B-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. No label on white powdered substance. Operator labeled at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-26: **Time Extended**
02D-01-5
58
Jun 26, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 5 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
21
Nov 16, 2022
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. -At hand wash sink in kitchen near three compartment sink, operator placed paper towel at hand wash sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Buen Sazon Casero last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Buen Sazon Casero on file is from Dec 29, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Buen Sazon Casero?
Across the inspection record, “exterior door has an opening at the door knob area that opens” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at El Buen Sazon Casero.
How does El Buen Sazon Casero compare to other restaurants in Clearwater?
El Buen Sazon Casero most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Clearwater average of 79.
Has El Buen Sazon Casero's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Buen Sazon Casero have averaged around eight violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at El Buen Sazon Casero 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 El Buen Sazon Casero inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Buen Sazon Casero is inspected around three times per year on average.
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