El Mata Munchie
Last inspected: Apr 7, 2026
47
Score
Inspectors have visited El Mata Munchie 10 times, with records going back to 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Apr 7, 2026. High risk indicates the latest inspection turned up problems worth knowing about.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around three violations compared to roughly seven violations earlier on.
“Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
Compared to other West Palm Beach restaurants (averaging 79), there's room to close the gap. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.
10
Inspections
3
Critical latest
1
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 7, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed in flip top cooler cooked diced beef (44-45F - Cold Holding); cut cooked red bliss potatoes (46-47F - Cold Holding) per operator not prepared or portion today stored in flip top overnight. See stop sale. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in walk-in cooler raw steak and raw hamburger patties stored over cut plantains. Operator stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed in flip top cooler cooked diced beef (44-45F - Cold Holding); cut cooked red bliss potatoes (46-47F - Cold Holding) per operator not prepared or portion today stored in flip top overnight.
01B-02-5
Intermediate - Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Observed in walk-in cooler packs of cooked chicken not dated per operator removed from freezer and placed in walk-in on 04/05
02C-04-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee cellphone stored on shelf next to clean plates and bowls.
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-03-4
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 dry black beans container the handle in contact with black beans.
10-01-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed black mold substance on wall by the three compartment sink.
36-27-5
47
Nov 20, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Nov 13, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Huevos Rancheros served with undercooked eggs not identified as undercooked on menu. Advised Operator to identify menu item. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-11-13: **Time Extended**
02B-01-5
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. 1 employee working longer than 60 days, no proof of training. Advised Operator to provide training to employee. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-11-13: **Time Extended**
53B-13-5
82
Nov 12, 2025
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 7 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
23
Mar 17, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Employee handled menus previously held by customers, touched order entry point of sale system and then handled clean equipment and utensils while opening beer bottles and preparing limes and placing onto beer bottles without washing hands. Operator discussed with employee who then washed hands. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-16-4
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. At front line double door low boy; cooked peppers (83F - Ambient Cooling 11:20/83F 11:50am). Operator stated can opened 1 hour prior, stored in full deep container tightly wrapped with plastic, at this rate will not reach 41F within 4 hours, unwrapped, separated into smaller portions, moved to walk-in cooler to facilitate faster cooling. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
03D-15-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Prep table mounted can opener blade soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Operator removed to be washed rinsed and sanitized. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Advised Operator to clean/sanitize.
22-20-5
67
Oct 11, 2024
Routine - Food
7 critical violations. 2 major violations.
View 9 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. At walk-in freezer; plastic wrapped/portioned raw hamburger stored over raw shrimp. Operator moved raw hamburger to lower shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-17-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At flip top cooler; cooked chicken (48F - Cold Holding); Alfredo cream sauce (46F - Cold Holding). Operator stated items not prepared or portioned today, held in cooler less than 2 hours, moved to walk-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. At steam table; cooked onions (103F - Hot Holding). Operator stated onions cooked prior to being placed in steam table, held one hour, moved to be reheated to 165F. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Medicine stored on shelf with clean plates over containers of cooked rice. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee handled soiled utensils while washing and then handled clean utensils to place for storage without washing hands. Operator discussed with employee who then washed hands. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-13-4
High Priority - Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee touched hair and then handled clean plates to serve food to customer without washing hands. Operator discussed with employee who then washed hands. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-25-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. At walk-in cooler; raw hamburger stored over cooked beef. Operator moved raw hamburger to lower shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. At flip top cooler; cut lettuce (50F - Ambient Cooling 10:55am/50F - Ambient Cooling 11:40am). Operator stated lettuce was cut 1 hour prior, stored doubled panned in make top, will not reach 41F within 4 hours, moved to walk-in cooler to facilitate faster cooling. **Corrective Action Taken**
03D-15-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. At walk-in cooler; cooked beef no date mark. Operator stated beef cooked 2 days prior, applied appropriate date mark. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
29
May 6, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. At steam table; cooked onions (125F - Hot Holding). Operator stated onions were cooked prior to being placed in steam table, held for 2 hours, double panned, moved to be reheated to 165F. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. At cook line flip top cooler; raw shell eggs stored over ready to eat sauce. Operator moved raw shell eggs to lower shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. At front counter; hand washing sink used to store strainer. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. At cook line; in-use knives stored in crack between steam table and flip top cooler. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
64
Mar 7, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations.
View 4 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
58
Mar 23, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Employee used the bathroom and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands upon returning to employee area. Male employee used restroom then started to put on gloves to handle food on cook line . He said he washed hands in restroom. Explained and he washed hands in hand sink by three compartment sink. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-11-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Female employee washed hands in three compartment sink. Explained and she washed in hand sink. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-03-4
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 to operator
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Grill cleaning bricks stored in hand sink by three compartment sink. Explained and employee removed the grill bricks. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. For chlorine. Using chlorine for three compartment sink and wash cloth.
16-37-1
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled.light green color liquid spray bottle not labeled. Explained and operator labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw beef thawing at room temperature on prep table. Still frozen solid . Explained and employee moved package to Reach in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
50
Jul 6, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Mata Munchie last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Mata Munchie on file is from Apr 7, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Mata Munchie?
Across the inspection record, “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at El Mata Munchie.
How does El Mata Munchie compare to other restaurants in West Palm Beach?
El Mata Munchie most recently scored 47 out of 100, which is lower than the West Palm Beach average of 79.
Has El Mata Munchie's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at El Mata Munchie have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at El Mata Munchie 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 Mata Munchie inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Mata Munchie is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants