El Imperio De La Comida
Last inspected: Feb 18, 2026
19
Score
El Imperio De La Comida has been inspected 10 times since 2022. El Imperio De La Comida was last inspected on Feb 18, 2026. High risk usually means inspectors flagged either critical violations or a stack of smaller ones.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near seven violations per visit across recent inspections.
Looking across the full record, “time/temperature control for safety food” is the recurring theme, flagged four times.
The city-wide average sits at 76, which El Imperio De La Comida's 19 doesn't quite reach. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.
10
Inspections
6
Critical latest
3
Major latest
9
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 18, 2026
Routine - Food
6 critical violations. 3 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 18 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Fried ripe plantains (120F - Hot Holding); inside front counter steam table. As per operator for less than 1 hour. Employee reheat during inspection. Fried plantains (167F - Reheating). Also observed Fried Fish (127F - Hot Holding) inside front counter steam table. As per operator for less than 1 hour. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Sliced Ham (47F - Cold Holding) and Sliced Cheese (49F - Cold Holding) stored inside containers at reach in cooler in front of fryers at kitchen area. As per operator for more than 4 hours. Operator discarded during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed Sliced Ham (47F - Cold Holding) and Sliced Cheese (49F - Cold Holding) stored inside containers at reach in cooler in front of fryers at kitchen area. As per operator for more than 4 hours. Operator discarded during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Observed Chico flan dessert date marked 02/07/2026 at front counter. Employee discarded during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-01-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored on top of French fries inside reach in cooler in front of fryers at kitchen area. Employee stored properly during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed behind shelf next to hand wash sink at kitchen area. Also observed in front of steam table at kitchen area.
29-34-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener blade soiled at preparation table next to back door at kitchen area. Also observed microwave interior soiled on shelf in front of fryers at kitchen area.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no quaternary test kit expired 01/2025.
16-37-1
Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed rust dry storage shelves at kitchen area.
22-31-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed at back door.
35B-01-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup on the floor inside walk in freezer at kitchen area.
14-69-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed ripe plantains thawing at room temperature inside box next to fryers. As per operator for less than 4 hours. Employee stored inside walk in cooler during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizer. **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn in front of fryers at kitchen area.
14-11-5
Basic - Employee with ineffective hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed 1 employee engaged in food preparation with hair restraint not effective at front counter.
13-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employees personal car keys and phone stored on shelf on top of establishment clean utensils and food at dry storage area. **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed vegetables walk in cooler ceiling with black mold like substance at kitchen area.
36-34-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed metal containers with no handle inside rice container and beans container at dry storage area. Chef discarded during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
19
Dec 9, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Oct 6, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Required employee training provided by a third-party employee training program and operator unable to provide original certificate for employees trained. Observed person in charge provided copies of all certificates and the issued date was unable to read. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-06: **Time Extended** **Time Extended**
53B-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled nozzle with mold-like substance at triple sink at dishwashing area. Also observed soiled gaskets at reach in cooler across fryers at kitchen area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-06: Observed gaskets were removed to be clean. **Time Extended**
23-03-4
86
Oct 3, 2025
Routine - Food
7 critical violations. 3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 18 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed 2 cans of red pepper strips dented at dry storage area. Operator removed dented cans. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
01B-01-4
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed corn tamales inside thank you bags at walk in freezer. **Warning**
14-31-5
High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Observed raid spray can at front counter next to dessert reach in cooler. Chef removed items at the time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-05-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed Cooked Yucca (54F - Cold Holding) at walk in cooler as per operator for more than 4 hours. Operator discarded food. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Raw Pork (45F - Cold Holding); Cooked Yucca (54F - Cold Holding); Raw Beef (45F - Cold Holding); Raw Chicken (54F - Cold Holding); Cooked Chicken (46F - Cold Holding); Cooked Ground Beef (47F - Cold Holding) in walk in cooler, as per operator less than 4 hours. **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. Observed Ripe Plantains (116F - Hot Holding);Fried Breaded Shrimp (98F - Hot Holding) at front counter. As per operator for less than four hours. Operator reheated Ripe Plantains (186F - Reheating); Fried Breaded Shrimp (178F - Reheating) **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed raid spray bottles stored at front counter next to food items. Employee removed item at the time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-10-4
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ **Warning**
53A-05-6
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked yucca, cooked chicken, cooked ground beef in shelves at walk in cooler at kitchen area. **Warning**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Required employee training provided by a third-party employee training program and operator unable to provide original certificate for employees trained. Observed person in charge provided copies of all certificates and the issued date was unable to read. **Warning**
53B-09-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed at walk in cooler at kitchen area. **Warning**
05-09-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed microwave soiled on top of prep table in front of stoves at kitchen area. **Warning**
22-08-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed cell phone and car keys stored in dry storage rack next to corn starch at prep area. Chef removed items from storage racks. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed at wheat container at front counter. Operator removed items it. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
14-01-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed all around kitchen area. **Warning**
21-12-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed ripe plantains (Frozen) next to fryers at kitchen area. Employee moved to walk in cooler. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
06-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled nozzle with mold-like substance at triple sink at dishwashing area. Also observed soiled gaskets at reach in cooler across fryers at kitchen area. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed sugar container not identified at prep table next to orange juice machine at front counter. Also observed crackers crumbled container with no label at dry storage, Chef identified item during the time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
02D-01-5
17
Jan 30, 2025
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance, throughout the establishment areas.
36-34-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
22-08-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw pork belly, and raw fish fillets thawing in standing water inside the three compartments sink. During the inspection employee removed items and placed them in the walk in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
06-01-5
86
Jul 31, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
82
Feb 13, 2024
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 - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
05-08-4
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.
11-26-1
Intermediate - Packaged food not labeled as specified by law. Rice, beans etc in dry storage room.
02D-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris in three-compartment sink.
16-07-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine.
16-03-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
16-21-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. **Corrected On-Site**
24-05-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed frozen boxes of food store on floor. Walk in freezer.
08B-38-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean.
21-09-4
50
Jan 18, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed milk (51F - Cold Holding) stored on top of the front counter 20 minutes before inspection, operator placed back inside the reach in cooler.
03A-02-5
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed a can of corn in the storage rack with a dent.
01B-01-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed raid can next to food preparation area. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed sweet plantains (110F - Hot Holding); chicken (131F - Hot Holding) at the front counter steam table. As per operator placed on the line 30 minutes before inspection. Asked operator to reheat items to 165F and above. **Repeat Violation**
03B-01-6
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 form to operator. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Juice packaged in the establishment that has not been specifically processed to prevent, reduce, or eliminate the presence of pathogens not bearing a warning label. Observed fresh watermelon juice in the reach in cooler at the front counter with no warning label.
02D-12-1
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Observed 5 employee in the establishment working with no manager in charge.
53A-05-6
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed 2 wet towels on top of cutting board at the front counter. Operator placed inside the sanitizer solution. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed metal containers used as a scoop with no handle. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Observed ceiling tiles missing in the kitchen.
36-36-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Inside 2nd walk in cooler.
36-22-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. In the kitchen.
21-04-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed to go plates stored on the floor in the attic. Operator stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed handwashing sink with pipe leaking.
29-11-4
29
Jun 14, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation.
View 3 violations
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
67
Aug 19, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Metal stem-type thermometer soiled.
22-12-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed steam table chicken (114° F - Hot Holding); Fish (130°F - Hot Holding); for less than 4 hours as per operator, operator reheated at 165°F. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Observed black beans (51°F/48°F - Cooling)on deep container. Operator change pot into a pan. **Corrected On-Site**
03D-15-4
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Imperio De La Comida last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Imperio De La Comida on file is from Feb 18, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Imperio De La Comida?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at El Imperio De La Comida.
How does El Imperio De La Comida compare to other restaurants in Hialeah?
El Imperio De La Comida most recently scored 19 out of 100, which is lower than the Hialeah average of 76.
Has El Imperio De La Comida's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Imperio De La Comida have averaged around seven violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at El Imperio De La Comida means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is El Imperio De La Comida inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Imperio De La Comida is inspected around three times per year on average.
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