El Palenque Pizzeria
Last inspected: Feb 12, 2026
70
Score
Going back to 2022, El Palenque Pizzeria has seven inspections in the public record. The latest inspection on file is from Feb 12, 2026. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near four violations per visit across recent inspections.
The pattern that stands out is “no handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used”, which has been cited three times.
The city-wide average sits at 76, which El Palenque Pizzeria's 70 doesn't quite reach. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 12, 2026
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cam opener soiled with food debris on top preparation table across 3 compartment. Employee washed and stored properly during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed boxes in front handwashing sink next to 3 compartment sink. Employee removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee personal drink on top preparation table behind front counter. Employee removed and stored properly.
12B-07-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no handwashing sign inside employees bathroom. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed reach in cooler behind front counter soiled with food debris.
22-16-4
70
Aug 5, 2025
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chlorine rest strips on premises.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink.employee provided during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Observed paper towels dispenser not working properly behind front counter.
31B-05-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling tiles soiled with dark substance at kitchen area.
36-34-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed 2 employees personal drinks on top front counter next to handwashing sink. Employee removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employees personal cell phone on top preparation table across from 3 compartment sink. Manager removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing water on the floor next to kitchen door. Employee cleaned dry during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
36-22-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed to go plates not inverted on top preparation table across from oven. Employee inverted during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
58
Jul 18, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 17, 2024
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed ice cream scoop stored in standing water 100F next to reach in freezer. Employee discarded water and stored in a clean dry metal container . **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-07-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed at reach in cooler at front counter. **Warning**
05-09-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no handwashing sign at front counter handwashing sink. Provided operator with sign , employee posted handwashing sign during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31B-04-4
86
Jan 26, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chlorine strips available at the time of the inspection.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Observed for the shredded mozzarella cheese,pizza prep counter. Provided operator with form for time as a method of control for food safety. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-10-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed at the front counter.
31B-04-4
78
Sep 21, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
70
Nov 28, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener blade soiled with accumulation encrusted food debris. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-03-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
35B-01-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Observed pizza peel stored on top of the pizza oven.
10-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed exterior of pizza oven soiled with accumulation grease and food debris.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed at the front counter.
14-33-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed togo plates not inverted,located in the kitchen. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Palenque Pizzeria last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Palenque Pizzeria on file is from Feb 12, 2026. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Palenque Pizzeria?
Across the inspection record, “no handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at El Palenque Pizzeria.
How does El Palenque Pizzeria compare to other restaurants in Hialeah?
El Palenque Pizzeria most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Hialeah average of 76.
Has El Palenque Pizzeria's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Palenque Pizzeria have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at El Palenque Pizzeria means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is El Palenque Pizzeria inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Palenque Pizzeria is inspected around two times per year on average.
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