El Patio Cafe
Last inspected: Feb 6, 2026
43
Score
Inspectors have visited El Patio Cafe eight times, with records going back to 2023. The most recent report on file is from Feb 6, 2026. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.
Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around nine violations per visit lately, up from roughly seven violations before.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled”, showing up three times.
El Patio Cafe's latest score of 43 falls below the Miami average of 74. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.
8
Inspections
2
Critical latest
3
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 6, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed raw salmon inside reach in freezer unwholesome with dirty ice. Manager discarded during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
01B-13-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw beef strips on top on unwashed vegetables inside walk in cooler. Coached employees on proper separation storage. Employee removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed food residue inside handwashing sink behind front counter. Employee cleaned during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels inside women bathroom. Manager provided during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no hand soap at women bathroom, manager provided during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid.
33-16-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed cooked pork inside walk in cooler not covered . Employee covered during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed white cutting board with cut marks behind front counter. Employee discarded during inspection, manager provided new cutting board during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
14-09-4
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Observed ice scoop on top ice machine behind front counter. Employee removed, washed and stored inside metal container. **Corrected On-Site**
10-12-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed microwave interior soiled with food debris at cook line. Employee cleaned during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
22-08-4
43
Sep 10, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle with degreaser not labeled. Employee labeled during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed box onions being stored on the floor next to reach in freezer. Employee removed and stored properly . **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Employee removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed employee personal bottle water inside reach in cooler behind front counter. Employee discarded during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed white cutting board soiled with food debris at preparation table. Employee cleaned during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
22-16-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed in use wet wiping towel on top preparation table. Employee removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
70
Jan 27, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. Observed sugar on plastic container behind front counter not covered , employee covered product properly during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-02-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw beef on top of unwashed onions inside walk in cooler. Coached employee on proper storage of product, employee removed and stored product properly. provided operator with hand out via email. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed vacuum breaker missing front hose bibb next to customers bathroom.
29-34-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed chicken tacos not date marked inside reach in cooler, as per employee less than 32 hours , employee dated product properly during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle with degreaser not labeled under 3 compartment sink. Employee labeled product properly during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed reach in cooler soiled with food debris in preparation area.
22-16-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid.
33-16-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed in use tongs being stored on oven door handle. Employee removed and washed tong and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - High grass/weeds surrounding building. Observed on the back of property .
33-36-4
Basic - Bathroom door left open other than during cleaning or maintenance. Observed women bathroom door left open.
32-02-4
Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. Observed glass bottles , paper wraps around the parking area.
33-19-4
39
Aug 23, 2024
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle containing glass cleaner not labeled behind front counter, employee labeled during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at men's and ladies bathroom. Employee provided paper towels during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed chicken tacos and beef tacos not date marked , as per employee more than 24 hours made, employee dated product properly during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling tiles in dining area stained with water marks .
36-34-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed clean plates not inverted on top of steam table . Manager inverted plates during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
24-05-4
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Observed ice scoop stored on top of ice machine .
10-12-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no handwashing sign at men's and ladies bathrooms.
31B-04-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed plastic container with sugar not labeled behind front counter, also plastic container with rice located across from walk in cooler. Employee labeled product properly during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
58
Apr 22, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw shell eggs stored above lettuce located in the walk-in cooler. Observed raw chicken stored with bags containing ice located in the chest freezer. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Kitchen: white rice ,as per operator about 2 hrs ago,operator placed in walk-in cooler for rapid cooling. (89F - Hot Holding) **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03B-01-6
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. Observed raw fish fillets stored above potato fries located in the 3 door reach in freezer. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-17-6
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. **Warning**
29-42-4
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed for Charismer S,Elena A,Cecilia, Keiling, Massiel , as per operator all working at the establishment for more than 2 months. **Warning**
53B-05-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed at the prep counter. **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed cases of plastic bottled drinking water stored on the floor, located by the ice machine. **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed walk-in cooler shelves rusted. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-17-4
43
Dec 12, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed
FL-27
64
Jun 21, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
47
Feb 2, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
33
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Patio Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Patio Cafe on file is from Feb 6, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Patio Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at El Patio Cafe.
How does El Patio Cafe compare to other restaurants in Miami?
El Patio Cafe most recently scored 43 out of 100, which is lower than the Miami average of 74.
Has El Patio Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at El Patio Cafe have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at El Patio Cafe 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 Patio Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Patio Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.
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