El Nica Mex Restaurant
Last inspected: Jan 5, 2026
50
Score
The health department has logged eight inspections at El Nica Mex Restaurant, the earliest from 2022. On Jan 5, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record.
Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around eight violations per visit lately, up from roughly four violations before.
Across the inspection history, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
The city-wide average sits at 70, which El Nica Mex Restaurant's 50 doesn't quite reach. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.
8
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
9
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 5, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. cut tomatoes (48F - Cold Holding) at prep table across cook line. For less than 3 hours. Observed yellow rice (49F - Cold Holding) at reach in cooler near the three compartment sink. For less than 3 hours . Operator discarded products.
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed on dry food and dish racks. **Repeat Violation**
22-31-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed multiple buckets with food stored in walk in cooler not covered. Operator covered products. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed bowl used to dispense yellow rice at cook line. Operator removed bowl. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed plastic containers stacked together not properly air-dried at shelves in the back of the kitchen.
24-08-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed in chest freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Observed In-use utensil stored with handle touching pico de gallo at walk in cooler. Operator removed utensil. **Corrected On-Site**
10-06-5
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster.
33-11-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Observed no choking poster. Provided operator with poster via email. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
51-13-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available. **Repeat Violation**
51-18-6
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed in reach in at front counter. **Repeat Violation**
14-33-4
50
Oct 21, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. Observed in reach in across warewash: cooked rice (51F - Cooling). As per operator, made previous night.
01B-36-5
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed in reach in across warewash: cooked rice (51F - Cooling). As per operator, made previous night.
03D-02-5
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
50-17-3
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. Observed no form or kit; inspector provided via email. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed on dry food and dish racks.
22-31-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed stained walls in warewash area.
36-27-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed in chest freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed spatula stored between sink and wall in warewash. Operator removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Observed no poster; inspector provided via email. **Corrective Action Taken**
51-13-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available. Observed no copy onsite.
51-18-6
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed in reach in at front counter.
14-33-4
39
Mar 27, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 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 stored above pork fat. Employee placed eggs at the bottom. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Basic - In-use spatulas stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Employee removed them. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
82
Nov 14, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
64
Feb 2, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed Jamaica beverage stored inside the reach in cooler not date marked. As per operator cooked 2 days ago.
02C-02-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed 3 tongs stored on oven door handle. Employee removed them. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Observed license displayed expired Oct 2023.
50-09-4
Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster.
33-19-4
78
Jul 12, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed stuffed jalapeños (48 F - Cold Holding); beef (47 F - Cold Holding) . As per operator stuffed jalapeños were cooked 2 days ago, and the beef was outside for a while. Operator placed beef inside reach in freezer and discarded stuffed jalapeños. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed a hose was connected at the time of the inspection. **Repeat Violation**
29-34-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed cooked pork and cooked tongue or covered at the walk in cooler. Operator covered the food. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Observed ice scoop was stored on dirty surface. Operator placed ice scoop inside a bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
10-12-5
67
Feb 2, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
58
Jul 12, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked rice (52 F - Cold Holding) at reach in cooler located at ware washing area. As per operator for less than three hours. Operator moved the rice to the walk-in cooler for rapid cooling. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw beef over raw fish at reach in cooler located at ware washing area. Operator moved the raw fish up and raw beef down. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed a bottle of windex stored next to single service articles.
41-10-4
Intermediate - Water treatment device has not been inspected or serviced according to manufacturer's instructions. Observed no records of the last time that the filter for the ice machine was changed.
29-28-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed beans container not covered at walk in cooler.
08B-12-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed flour container not identified by common name under preparation table.
02D-01-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed clean containers not stored inverted under steam table. **Repeat Violation**
24-05-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed in use tong stored on door oven door. Operator moved the tongs to the three compartment sink to be cleaned and sanitized. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Operator removed the towel. **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4
45
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Nica Mex Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Nica Mex Restaurant on file is from Jan 5, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Nica Mex Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at El Nica Mex Restaurant.
How does El Nica Mex Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Homestead?
El Nica Mex Restaurant most recently scored 50 out of 100, which is lower than the Homestead average of 70.
Has El Nica Mex Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at El Nica Mex Restaurant have averaged around eight violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at El Nica Mex Restaurant 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 Nica Mex Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Nica Mex Restaurant is inspected around two times per year on average.
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