El Pepian Restaurante
Last inspected: Dec 17, 2025
74
Score
Across the available record, El Pepian Restaurante has eight inspections on file, the first dated 2022. On Dec 17, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around three violations compared to roughly seven violations earlier on.
Across the inspection history, “no chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
That falls roughly in the middle of the pack for Lake Worth restaurants. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
8
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 17, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired December 1, 2025. Operator renewed license during inspection **Corrected On-Site**
50-17-3
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In reach in chest freezer by front counter, raw chicken stored on top of raw beef. Not commercially packaged.
08A-02-6
74
Oct 13, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 13, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. At kitchen at freezer chest, cooked corn stored in direct contact of Thank you bags. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
14-31-5
Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ **Warning**
53A-03-7
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand sink blocked by trash can. Operator moved trash can. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chemical test strips for chlorine sanitizer. **Warning**
16-37-1
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. At kitchen reach in cooler, several food items-cooked chicken, cooked rice, soup, beans, per operator was prepared and stored over 24 hours without proper date marking. Advised operator that all foods prepared onsite and held over 24 hours require proper date marking. **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Stored food not covered. At kitchen reach in cooler, food-Cooked chicken, cooked rice, soup, stored uncovered. Advised operator all foods stored has to be covered. **Warning**
08B-12-5
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. At kitchen, 3 compartment sink in disrepair. **Warning**
29-08-4
52
Feb 19, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
45
Sep 16, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Thank you grocery bags storing raw chicken in freezer chest in dining room
14-15-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. cooked rice (64F - Cooling) at 11:30 am to 64F at 11:47 am since 7 am. In large plastic container. At this rate food will not cool to 41F within 4 hours. Instructed operator to break food down into smaller portions. **Corrective Action Taken**
03D-15-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Sanitizer bucket in hand sink Removed **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Quatanary
16-37-1
58
Mar 19, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
41
Feb 20, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle with pot of soup on shelf Raid insect spray with spices
41-10-4
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. cooked beans (47F - Cooling); cooked chicken (47F - Cooling) in reach in coolers. Not prepped or portioned today. In unit since yesterday. Food did not reach 41F within 6 hours. Covered in large containers.
03D-02-5
High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Thank you grocery bags storing meat in freezer chest
14-15-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. cooked beans (47F - Cooling); cooked chicken (47F - Cooling) in reach in coolers. Not prepped or portioned today. In unit since yesterday. Food did not reach 41F within 6 hours. Covered in large containers.
01B-02-5
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Quantanary
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.
31B-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cellphone on prep table
40-06-5
43
Sep 14, 2022
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors.
32-04-4
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Pepian Restaurante last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Pepian Restaurante on file is from Dec 17, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Pepian Restaurante?
Across the inspection record, “no chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at El Pepian Restaurante.
How does El Pepian Restaurante compare to other restaurants in Lake Worth?
El Pepian Restaurante most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is about the same as the Lake Worth average of 77.
Has El Pepian Restaurante's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at El Pepian Restaurante have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at El Pepian Restaurante 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 Pepian Restaurante inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Pepian Restaurante is inspected around two times per year on average.
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