El Palenque Restaurant & Cantina
Last inspected: Sep 22, 2025
100
Score
Across the available record, El Palenque Restaurant & Cantina has 16 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The most recent report on file is from Sep 22, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around three violations per visit lately, up from roughly one violation before.
The pattern that stands out is “exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens”, which has been cited four times.
Restaurants in Tallahassee average 87, so El Palenque Restaurant & Cantina is doing better than most peers. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
16
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 22, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Sep 5, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink does not have enough water pressure to properly wash hands. Handwashing sinks in ladies bathroom and kitchen by cooks line not enough water pressure to wash hands. **Warning**
27-19-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Kitchen ceiling vents/tiles with grease and dust build up on them on cooks line.
36-34-5
Basic - No waste receptacle installed at handwash sink provided with disposable towels. No trash can by hand sink next to dry storage area.
33-38-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Door leading to outside in kitchen has a gap at threshold. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
78
Apr 15, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
53B-01-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing water on floor beside handwashing sink at rear of kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-22-4
Basic - Objectionable odors in bathroom or other areas of the establishment. Observed objectionable odor beside handwashing sink near dry storage area. **Repeat Violation**
36-64-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside-rear exit door. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed jacket stored on top of can foods intended for customer service. **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
74
Jan 10, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Dec 30, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided. Observed no hot water for entire establishment. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-16: Upon call back no hot water in building. Observed hand sink in kitchen 71F. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-17: At callback no hot water, per office 7 day extension. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-30: At callback no hot water, hand sanitizer observed at Hand sinks. **Time Extended**
27-16-4
90
Dec 17, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided. Observed no hot water for entire establishment. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-16: Upon call back no hot water in building. Observed hand sink in kitchen 71F. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-17: At callback no hot water, per office 7 day extension. **Time Extended**
27-16-4
90
Dec 16, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided. Observed no hot water for entire establishment. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-16: Upon call back no hot water in building. Observed hand sink in kitchen 71F. **Time Extended**
27-16-4
90
Dec 13, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Diced tomatoes 46F, per operator item in cooler overnight. See stop sale. Pico 45F, sour créme 45F, shredded lettuce 50F, at 3:45pm, per operator in cooler since 11am. See stop sale. **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 Mexican rice at 74F. Operator discarded rice.
03B-01-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed chunks in chicken flour. per manager flour not sifted for two days.
01B-13-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. This violation is being addressed on a previous inspection from 4-10-24.
53B-01-5
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided. Observed no hot water for entire establishment. **Warning**
27-16-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed jacket over food containers by prep area.
40-06-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed gap at back door of kitchen exit. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water behind ice machine.
36-22-4
Basic - No waste receptacle installed at handwash sink provided with disposable towels. Observed no trash cans by handwashing sink in kitchen prep area.
33-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach-in freezer interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed freezer not in use with food build up on walk in doors and shelves.
23-03-4
Basic - Objectionable odors in bathroom or other areas of the establishment. Observed odor in kitchen hand sink storage shelf area.
36-64-5
Basic - Stored food not covered. Black beans in walk-in uncovered.
08B-12-5
Basic - Water leaking from CO2 condenser.
29-11-4
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Tested at 0ppm corrected to 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
21-07-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. By napkins on back prep table and by can openers. Drinks discarded at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
27
Nov 13, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
90
Sep 12, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-03: Operator stated she signed up for ServSafe Hispanic test schedule August 13th. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-12: Did not observe employee food safety training certificates during time of call back. Operator, Cecilia Matias, stated she took her Serve Safe certified food manager test August 13th 2024, but cannot locate scores. I assisted Cecilia by looking online but could not find certificate. Operator received score access code. Operator cannot certify employee training certificate until she receives her certified food manager certification number. **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
90
Jul 3, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-03: Operator stated she signed up for ServSafe Hispanic test schedule August 13th. **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
90
Apr 10, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed small cup with no handle inside salt container.
14-01-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed gap beneath back door.
35B-01-4
82
Feb 6, 2024
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 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 - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink, cook line.
31B-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment oven door handle between uses. Cook remove tongs and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
67
Dec 18, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Oct 11, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Employee working over 60 days with no proof of employee training. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-11: No employee training provided. Two employees stated they had been working over 60 days *Time Extended** **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
90
Sep 6, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Observed Manager lacking proof of food manager certification. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-06: Observed manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Must be complied by October 06, 2022. **Time Extended**
53A-01-7
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Palenque Restaurant & Cantina last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Palenque Restaurant & Cantina on file is from Sep 22, 2025. The public record contains 16 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Palenque Restaurant & Cantina?
Across the inspection record, “exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at El Palenque Restaurant & Cantina.
How does El Palenque Restaurant & Cantina compare to other restaurants in Tallahassee?
El Palenque Restaurant & Cantina most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Tallahassee average of 87.
Has El Palenque Restaurant & Cantina's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at El Palenque Restaurant & Cantina have averaged around three violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at El Palenque Restaurant & Cantina 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 Palenque Restaurant & Cantina inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Palenque Restaurant & Cantina is inspected around five times per year on average.
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