El Empanadazo
Last inspected: Mar 10, 2026
95
Score
Inspectors have visited El Empanadazo 11 times, with records going back to 2023. The most recent visit was on Mar 10, 2026. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around one violation to closer to 10 violations.
Across the inspection history, “stop sale issued on time/temperature control” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.
The city-wide average for Lake Worth sits at 77, putting El Empanadazo on the better side of that line. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 10, 2026
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No mop sink or curbed cleaning facility provided at establishment. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-10: Same **Time Extended**
29-27-4
95
Mar 9, 2026
Routine - Food
10 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
29-34-4
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Walk in cooler Mondongo soup at 9:52am(52F cooling) since yesterday , cooked potatoes at 10:18am (45F cooling) since yesterday, see stop sale. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03D-02-5
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. At 0 ppm Operator corrected to 100ppm chlorine **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Employee washed hands **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12A-27-4
High Priority - Employee handled broomstick to clean floors than Employee began working with food without first washing hands. Employee washed hands **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12A-16-4
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags( thank you to go bags) used in direct contact with Raw chicken inside reach in freezer Advised operator to removed **Warning**
14-31-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored in top portion of make table over ready-to-eat food in bottom portion of make table - no complete physical barrier between top and bottom. Raw beef , raw burgers and raw sausage stored above bread, yuca, cooked pork chops. Operator stored properly **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-13-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Walk in cooler Mondongo soup at 9:52am(52F cooling) since yesterday , cooked potatoes at 10:18am (45F cooling) since yesterday, see stop sale. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Walk in cooler cooked chicken 44F cold holding, chicken soup 44F cold holding, ham 44F cold holding Front counter reach in cooler Milk 48F cold holding. Per operator all products not prepared or portioned today and stored for approximately 1 hour. Advised operator to iced down products inside walk in cooler **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Front counter hot box Cheese empanadas 116F hot holding , per operator stored for approximately 20 minutes. Operator decided to move to time as a public health control, emailed form to operator and timed marked product **Warning**
03B-01-6
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. Emailed form to operator **Warning**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning**
53B-13-5
Basic - No mop sink or curbed cleaning facility provided at establishment. **Warning**
29-27-4
17
Oct 30, 2025
Routine - Food
7 critical violations. 6 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Triple Sink (Chlorine 0ppm) discussed with operator who corrected to Triple Sink (Chlorine 100ppm) **Corrected On-Site**
22-42-4
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. In walk in cooler covered metal pan of shredded cooked chicken (47F - Cooling) at 2:50 since previous day, at this rate of cooling product never reached 41F within 6 hours see stop sale.
03D-02-5
High Priority - Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee handled personal cell phone and without washing hands, employee handled blender and pitchers of sauce, discussed with operator, employee washed hands. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-29-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored in same container as ready-to-eat food. At flip top cooler raw sausage stored in same container as cooked ham, discussed with operator who separated products. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-08-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In walk in cooler raw sausage stored above shredded cheese, discussed with operator who corrected storage of products. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. In walk in cooler covered metal pan of shredded cooked chicken (47F - Cooling) at 2:50 since previous day, at this rate of cooling product never reached 41F within 6 hours see stop sale. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Hose Bibb connection at three compartment sink ho vacuum breaker installed, discussed with operator.
29-34-4
Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. Reviewed with operator and emailed poster.
11-07-5
Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of reporting responsibilities for exclusions and restrictions. Reviewed with operator and sent form to operator.
11-05-4
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. Emailed poster to operator.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. In walk in cooler large metal pot of cooked steak (48F - Cooling) at 2:50 since 9:30 to 47F at 3:05, at this current rate of cooling product will not reach 41F within 6 hours, discussed with operator who moved product to shallow pans to rapid cool. **Corrective Action Taken**
03D-15-4
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Discussed with operator to renew expired employees.
53B-14-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. At front counter unlabeled spray bottle containing cleaning agent, discussed with operator who labeled bottle. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
41-17-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. In walk in cooler large metal pan of cooked steak, discussed with operator who moved product from floor. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. In kitchen multiple sauce and oil bottles, not labeled, discussed with operator to label bottles.
02D-01-5
17
Jun 2, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
May 1, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Establishment has undergone remodel and added the following - at front counter a new ice machine, caffe machine and prep table, 8 bin steam table, empanadas hot display case, dump sink. In kitchen a new walk in cooler has been added. Discussed with operator to submit plan review of changes **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-02-28: Establishment has undergone remodel and added the following - at front counter a new ice machine, caffe machine and prep table, 8 bin steam table, empanadas hot display case, dump sink. In kitchen a new walk in cooler has been added. Discussed with operator to submit plan review of changes . **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-01: Application/Plans submitted, pending approval. **Time Extended**
51-16-7
90
Feb 28, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Employee Rodas Augustine hired on 2/24/25 no employee health reporting agreement or food handler training available. Discussed with operator and provided email copy of employee health reporting agreement until food handler training completed. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-02-28: **Time Extended**
53B-13-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Establishment has undergone remodel and added the following - at front counter a new ice machine, caffe machine and prep table, 8 bin steam table, empanadas hot display case, dump sink. In kitchen a new walk in cooler has been added. Discussed with operator to submit plan review of changes **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-02-28: Establishment has undergone remodel and added the following - at front counter a new ice machine, caffe machine and prep table, 8 bin steam table, empanadas hot display case, dump sink. In kitchen a new walk in cooler has been added. Discussed with operator to submit plan review of changes . **Time Extended**
51-16-7
82
Feb 27, 2025
Routine - Food
6 critical violations. 4 major violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee touched trash can at cook line and without washing hands employee began to cut and handle limes. Discussed with operator employee washed hands and discarded limes. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12A-29-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In reach in cooler raw chicken and raw beef stored above cooked chicken. Discussed with operator who corrected storage of products. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. In meat refrigerator raw chicken stored above raw beef. Discussed with operator who corrected storage of products. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands. Server handled dirty customer drinks by the rim of bottles to throw away and without washing hands employee grabbed sauce bottles to put in refrigerator. Discussed with operator employee washed hands. **Warning**
12A-02-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach in cooler across from fryer raw pork (47F - Cold Holding) raw chicken (46F - Cold Holding); corn batter mix (47F - Cold Holding); raw hamburger patties (49F - Cold Holding); sausage (47F - Cold Holding) per operator products not portioned or prepared today and held in unit over night. See stop sale. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach in cooler across from fryer raw pork (47F - Cold Holding) raw chicken (46F - Cold Holding); corn batter mix (47F - Cold Holding); raw hamburger patties (49F - Cold Holding); sausage (47F - Cold Holding) per operator products not portioned or prepared today and held in unit over night. See stop sale. **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Employee Rodas Augustine hired on 2/24/25 no employee health reporting agreement or food handler training available. Discussed with operator and provided email copy of employee health reporting agreement until food handler training completed. **Warning**
53B-13-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. At front counter spray bottle containing window cleaner not properly labeled discussed with operator who added label to bottle. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. In kitchen hand washing sink used to store bowl of cut lettuce discussed with operator who removed from sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Establishment has undergone remodel and added the following - at front counter a new ice machine, caffe machine and prep table, 8 bin steam table, empanadas hot display case, dump sink. In kitchen a new walk in cooler has been added. Discussed with operator to submit plan review of changes **Warning**
51-16-7
27
Oct 22, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. pulled chicken (51F - Cooling); pulled beef (47F - Cooling); walk in cooler. Not prepped or portioned today. In unit over four hours. Food did not cool to 41Fwithin 6 hours.
03D-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. pulled chicken (51F - Cooling); pulled beef (47F - Cooling); walk in cooler. Not prepped or portioned today. In unit over four hours. Food did not cool to 41Fwithin 6 hours.
01B-02-5
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 0 ppm ) remade Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 100ppm) **Corrected On-Site**
21-07-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler.
29-49-6
67
Nov 28, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food....raw steak above cheese in glass door reach in cooler. Operator properly stored **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit....fresh garlic sauce 51°, cilantro sauce with fresh garlic 51° on the counter at front line being held less than 4 hours . Operator moved to reach in cooler . **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit....hot holding fish empanada 128°, ham and cheese empanada 128° in hot box at front line being held less than 2 hours , operator time marked. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of employee health policy and health requirements...provided form to manager.
11-03-5
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink.... Washing hands in mop sink due to handwashing not operable .
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-13-5
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink... no hot water , cold water not running in handwashing sink .
27-16-4
Basic - Food stored on floor....water , employee properly stored. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
41
Jul 27, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw shell eggs above roast beef. Operator rotated to correct. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Basic - Exterior kitchen door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
35B-01-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed corn meal cases stored on the floor. Operator relocated to shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers.
38-07-4
74
Jan 4, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Empanadazo last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Empanadazo on file is from Mar 10, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Empanadazo?
Across the inspection record, “stop sale issued on time/temperature control” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at El Empanadazo.
How does El Empanadazo compare to other restaurants in Lake Worth?
El Empanadazo most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Lake Worth average of 77.
Has El Empanadazo's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at El Empanadazo have averaged around 10 violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at El Empanadazo 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 El Empanadazo inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Empanadazo is inspected around three times per year on average.
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