El Santo
Last inspected: Mar 30, 2026
86
Score
Across the available record, El Santo has 12 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. El Santo was last inspected on Mar 30, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near three violations per visit across recent inspections.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “no paper towels”, showing up three times.
El Santo's latest score of 86 sits above the Miami average of 74. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
12
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 30, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Observed establishment added a pizza area in the additional dining area with a pizza oven, prep table, pizza reach in cooler with toppings, 1 stand up reach in cooler, 1 reach in cooler (salad station), 1 handwashing sink and a chest reach in freezer. Discussed with the operator and provided the operator with the plan review referral. - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-29: No approved plans on file.Observed establishment added a pizza area in the additional dining area with a pizza oven, prep table, pizza reach in cooler with toppings, 1 stand up reach in cooler, 1 reach in cooler (salad station), 1 handwashing sink and a chest reach in freezer. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-30: No approved plans on file.Observed establishment added a pizza area in the additional dining area with a pizza oven, prep table, pizza reach in cooler with toppings, 1 stand up reach in cooler, 1 reach in cooler (salad station), 1 handwashing sink and a chest reach in freezer. **Admin Complaint**
51-16-7
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Most cutting boards - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-30: Most cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Time Extended**
14-09-4
86
Jan 20, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Walk in cooler: cooked rice with black beans (56-60F - Cooling). As per operator, cooked the night before and stored inside the walk in cooler overnight.
03D-02-5
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.
01B-36-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Kitchen: containers stored inside the hand sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Ware wash area. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Observed establishment added a pizza area in the additional dining area with a pizza oven, prep table, pizza reach in cooler with toppings, 1 stand up reach in cooler, 1 reach in cooler (salad station), 1 handwashing sink and a chest reach in freezer. Discussed with the operator and provided the operator with the plan review referral. - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-29: No approved plans on file.Observed establishment added a pizza area in the additional dining area with a pizza oven, prep table, pizza reach in cooler with toppings, 1 stand up reach in cooler, 1 reach in cooler (salad station), 1 handwashing sink and a chest reach in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
51-16-7
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Most cutting boards
14-09-4
52
Oct 29, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Observed establishment added a pizza area in the additional dining area with a pizza oven, prep table, pizza reach in cooler with toppings, 1 stand up reach in cooler, 1 reach in cooler (salad station), 1 handwashing sink and a chest reach in freezer. Discussed with the operator and provided the operator with the plan review referral. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-29: No approved plans on file.Observed establishment added a pizza area in the additional dining area with a pizza oven, prep table, pizza reach in cooler with toppings, 1 stand up reach in cooler, 1 reach in cooler (salad station), 1 handwashing sink and a chest reach in freezer. **Admin Complaint**
51-16-7
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards and soda nozzles (front and back bar) **Corrective Action Taken** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-29: Most cutting boards soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. **Time Extended**
22-02-4
82
Aug 11, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Walk in cooler: raw beef stored above whole carrots Discussed with the operator and provided the handout for the proper storage of food. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards and soda nozzles (front and back bar) **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand washing sink in the ware wash area and the bar. **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Observed establishment added a pizza area in the additional dining area with a pizza oven, prep table, pizza reach in cooler with toppings, 1 stand up reach in cooler, 1 reach in cooler (salad station), 1 handwashing sink and a chest reach in freezer. Discussed with the operator and provided the operator with the plan review referral. **Repeat Violation**
51-16-7
Basic - Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty drawer or rack. Ware wash area: clean pans on a shelf, wet nesting. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
24-06-4
61
Apr 10, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Observed establishment added a pizza area in the additional dining area with a pizza oven, prep table, pizza reach in cooler with toppings, 1 stand up reach in cooler, 1 reach in cooler (salad station), 1 handwashing sink and a chest reach in freezer. Discussed with the operator and provided the operator with the plan review referral. - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-10: No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Observed establishment added a pizza area in the additional dining area with a pizza oven, prep table, pizza reach in cooler with toppings, 1 stand up reach in cooler, 1 reach in cooler (salad station), 1 handwashing sink and a chest reach in freezer. **Admin Complaint**
51-16-7
90
Feb 3, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Discussed with the operator and encouraged the operator to pay during the inspection. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Observed establishment added a pizza area in the additional dining area with a pizza oven, prep table, pizza reach in cooler with toppings, 1 stand up reach in cooler, 1 reach in cooler (salad station), 1 handwashing sink and a chest reach in freezer. Discussed with the operator and provided the operator with the plan review referral.
51-16-7
Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels at the front counter , bar area. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-05-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Ware wash area: clean pans on a shelf wet-nesting. **Corrected On-Site**
24-08-4
67
Dec 4, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Observed: No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/licensing/planreview/. Observed establishment added a pizza area in the additional dining area with a pizza oven, prep table, pizza reach in cooler with toppings, 1 stand up reach in cooler, 1 reach in cooler (salad station), 1 handwashing sink and a chest reach in freezer. Priority: Intermediate - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-04: No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress Observed establishment added a pizza area in the additional dining area with a pizza oven, prep table, pizza reach in cooler with toppings, 1 stand up reach in cooler, 1 reach in cooler (salad station), 1 handwashing sink and a chest reach in freezer. **Admin Complaint**
51-16-7
Basic - - From initial inspection : Observed: Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Both bars. Priority: Basic - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-04: **Time Extended**
51-11-4
86
Sep 30, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Observed: Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Walk in cooler: raw beef stored above ham **Corrected On-Site** Priority: High Priority
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Observed: Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Sods guns nozzles at both bars soiled. Priority: Intermediate
22-02-4
Intermediate - Observed: No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Priority: Intermediate
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Observed: No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/licensing/planreview/. Observed establishment added a pizza area in the additional dining area with a pizza oven, prep table, pizza reach in cooler with toppings, 1 stand up reach in cooler, 1 reach in cooler (salad station), 1 handwashing sink and a chest reach in freezer. Priority: Intermediate
51-16-7
Basic - Observed: Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Both bars. Priority: Basic
51-11-4
Basic - Observed: No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. New pizza station. **Repeat Violation** Priority: Basic
31B-04-4
Basic - Observed: In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. **Corrected On-Site** Priority: Basic
10-20-4
Basic - Observed: Ice bucket stored on floor between uses in the large bar area. Priority: Basic
10-14-5
52
Mar 18, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
30
Nov 28, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 10-1-2023 pay on 11-28-23 Confirmation 237333083 paid 344.00 **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
50-17-3
Intermediate - Food thermometer(s) not calibrated according to manufacturer's specifications. **Warning**
05-07-4
Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. **Warning**
11-07-5
70
Mar 15, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 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. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed at the front counter: bottle with blue glass cleaner not labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Water draining onto floor surface. Observed underneath the dishwasher.
29-03-4
Basic - Ice bucket/shovel stored on floor between uses. Front counter: 2 ice buckets stored on the floor.
10-14-5
74
Sep 20, 2022
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
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
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
20
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Santo last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Santo on file is from Mar 30, 2026. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Santo?
Across the inspection record, “no paper towels” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at El Santo.
How does El Santo compare to other restaurants in Miami?
El Santo most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is higher than the Miami average of 74.
Has El Santo's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Santo have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at El Santo 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 Santo inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Santo is inspected around three times per year on average.
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