El Guacalito Restaurant
Last inspected: Apr 8, 2026
86
Score
The health department has logged nine inspections at El Guacalito Restaurant, the earliest from 2022. The most recent visit was on Apr 8, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near five violations per visit.
The pattern that stands out is “food-contact surface soiled with food debris”, which has been cited four times.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Miami restaurant scores 74. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 8, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Soap dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense soap. Observed at wait station. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-04-08: **Time Extended**
31B-06-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed at bar. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-04-08: **Time Extended**
36-17-5
86
Feb 3, 2026
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed green cutting board soiled with black mold like substance inside triple sink. **Warning**
22-02-4
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 employee training expired for Norman and Steven both expired on 12/2025. **Warning**
53B-05-5
Intermediate - Soap dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense soap. Observed at wait station. **Warning**
31B-06-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed at bar. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-17-5
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed inside reach next to hand sink at prep area. **Warning**
29-49-6
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed water leaking from faucet at hand sink at wait station. **Warning**
29-11-4
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Observed over hall to wait station. **Warning**
36-36-4
61
Aug 14, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed at bar.
31B-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Observed top exterior of dishwasher has accumulation of debris.
16-21-4
Basic - Accumulation of pink mold like substance in the interior of the ice machine.
22-20-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling vents heavily dusty at kitchen area.
36-34-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler door gasket torn at juice area across ice machine.
14-11-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor tiles in disrepair at bar.
36-17-5
70
Mar 21, 2025
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed shredded pork (50F - Cold Holding) inside reach in cooler at kitchen. As per operator since the day before. Operator segregated to later discard. Observed short rib soup (74F - Cooling); chicken soup (75F - Cooling) inside walk in cooler. As per operator for more than 6 hrs. Operator segregated to discard later.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over raw beef inside walk in cooler. Operator properly rearranged products by cooking temperatures. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw beef over unwashed veggies inside walk in cooler. Operator properly rearranged products by cooking temperatures. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed short rib soup (74F - Cooling); chicken soup (75F - Cooling) inside walk in cooler. As per operator for more than 6 hrs. Operator segregated to discard later.
03D-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed shredded pork (50F - Cold Holding) inside reach in cooler at kitchen. As per operator since the day before. Operator segregated to later discard.
03A-02-5
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed across exit door. Operator dried water during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
29-49-6
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed 2 salmon (Frozen) inside ROP at seafood station. Operator opened packages. **Corrected On-Site**
06-09-1
43
Aug 22, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored over sauces inside reach in cooler at kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed plastic mats stored inside hand sink at bar.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed at prep area. **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Warewashing machine not automatically dispensing the detergent and/or the sanitizer. Observed Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm). Manger placed work order during inspection.
16-59-1
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed one floor tile missing at bar.
36-17-5
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed across back exit door.
29-49-6
58
Apr 5, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
70
Apr 4, 2024
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken over french fries inside storage reach in cooler at kitchen. Employee properly arranged products. **Warning**
08A-05-6
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. Observed Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm). Employee started to set up triple sink. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed 4 way spliter one hose without vacuum breaker. **Warning**
29-42-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed raw shrimp (46F - Cold Holding); cooked beef tongue (48F - Cold Holding); cooked octopus (50F - Cold Holding); seafood mix (54F - Cold Holding) inside reach in cooler next to appetizer unit. As per employee for 4 hrs. Also raw chicken (68F - Cold Holding); raw beef (68F - Cold Holding); raw pork (68F - Cold Holding) at cook line drawers as per employee for 4 hrs. Also Raw chicken (53F - Cold Holding); mashed potatoes (52F - Cold Holding); refried beans (53F - Cold Holding) inside walk in cooler. As per employee for more than a day. Employee removed all food products to be discarded. **Corrective Action Taken** **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed raw shrimp (46F - Cold Holding); cooked beef tongue (48F - Cold Holding); cooked octopus (50F - Cold Holding); seafood mix (54F - Cold Holding) inside reach in cooler next to appetizer unit. As per employee for 4 hrs. Also raw chicken (68F - Cold Holding); raw beef (68F - Cold Holding); raw pork (68F - Cold Holding) at cook line drawers as per employee for 4 hrs. Also Raw chicken (53F - Cold Holding); mashed potatoes (52F - Cold Holding); refried beans (53F - Cold Holding) inside walk in cooler. As per employee for more than a day. Employee removed all food products to be discarded. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
01B-02-5
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed at hand sink next to steam table. **Warning**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed white cutting board soiled with black mold like substance on reach in cooler across cook line. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Observed ceviche not identified as raw on menu. Employee properly identified raw products during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
02B-01-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed at hand sink next to steam table. **Warning**
31B-02-4
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Observed in 2 cubicles at women's bathroom. **Warning**
32-12-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler door gaskets in disrepair across steam table. **Warning**
14-11-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw shrimp (Frozen) thawing at room temperature next to dish machine. As per employee for 30 minutes. Employe placed raw shrimp inside walk in cooler for proper thawing. **Warning**
06-01-5
27
Dec 1, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed black trash bag used to cover white rice at kitchen area. Employee removed the bag. **Corrected On-Site**
14-31-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw fish stored over ready to eat chicken inside reach in cooler next to doble door reach in freezer. Employee rearranged the items. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Warewashing sanitizing solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed. Observed Triple Sink (Quaternary 500 plus ppm). Employee diluted solution with water and last reading Triple Sink (Quaternary 300 ppm). **Corrected On-Site**
41-18-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting board soiled with yellow food debris at kitchen middle prep table.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed at bar hand wash sink. no soap available. Employee provided soap. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed bowl inside chimichurri inside reach in cooler at coffee station. Employee removed the bowl. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Observed scoop with handle in contact with sauce inside reach in cooler at coffee station. Employee remove the handle. **Corrected On-Site**
10-06-5
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed knifes stored between wall and three compartment sink.
10-17-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor tiles broken at kitchen back exit door.
36-17-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters over grill soiled with grease.
23-03-4
Basic - Insect control device installed over clean utensils and equip at ware washing area and preparation area. Employee removed the device from over equipment. **Corrected On-Site**
35B-02-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed gap at kitchen back exit door.
35B-01-4
Basic - Establishment did not report seating change that affects the license fee, Clean Indoor Air Act, sewage system approval or other related requirements. Observed license seating 200 increased to 316 seats. Provided form for seating change. **Corrective Action Taken**
51-09-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed shelve rusty under prep table at kitchen area.
14-11-5
33
Nov 28, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 6 major violations. 16 minor violations.
View 23 violations
High Priority - Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Observed in rack in kitchen area.
03A-03-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled can opener blade. Employee cleaning during inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed coffee residue inside hand wash sink at the back of the kitchen.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chlorine and quaternary test strips available.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed at the back of the kitchen. Manager restocked during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed no training for: Tania S.,Walter M., Norlan L., Dania G., Victor S. And Steven M. Have been working more than 60 days.
53B-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 prepared food in walk in cooler not date marked. As per employee food was prepared 2 days ago.
02C-02-5
Basic - Ice bucket/shovel stored on floor between uses. Observed in bar area.
10-14-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed in bar area.
22-20-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed in flour container. Employee removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed in units throughout kitchen.
23-24-4
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Observed in kitchen area.
36-36-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed in kitchen area.
36-32-5
Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Observed personal drink in unit in kitchen area. **Repeat Violation**
12B-12-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed in kitchen area.
36-17-5
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed in salt container.
10-01-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed in both bathrooms. Employee put sign during inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
31B-04-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed in unit next to coffee station.
12B-13-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed in all units in kitchen area.
29-49-6
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed container with cut fruits not covered in bar area. Also flan in kitchen area.
08B-12-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed throughout kitchen.
21-12-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. Observed in kitchen area.
21-09-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed flour container not labeled with common name.
02D-01-5
21
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Guacalito Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Guacalito Restaurant on file is from Apr 8, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Guacalito Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at El Guacalito Restaurant.
How does El Guacalito Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Miami?
El Guacalito Restaurant most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is higher than the Miami average of 74.
Has El Guacalito Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Guacalito Restaurant have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at El Guacalito 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 El Guacalito Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Guacalito Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
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