El Tacazo #3
Last inspected: Feb 9, 2026
35
Score
Inspectors have visited El Tacazo #3 eight times, with records going back to 2022. On Feb 9, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around six violations each.
“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
By comparison, the average Florida City facility scores 66, putting El Tacazo #3 on the weaker side. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.
8
Inspections
5
Critical latest
1
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 9, 2026
Complaint Full
5 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee handle soiled equipments from the triple sink and then proceeded to prep french fries. No handwash. Coach employee.
12A-13-4
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed Triple Sink (Chlorine 0ppm). Manager reset Triple Sink (Chlorine 50ppm). **Corrected On-Site**
22-42-4
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee putting on gloves and then engaged in plating French fries. No handwash. Coached employee. **Repeat Violation**
12A-07-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cut lettuce (49F - Cold Holding) at reach in cooler near the triple sink. As per manager for less than 2 hours. Manager placed product in ice bath. **Corrective Action Taken**
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 rice (132F - Hot Holding) at steam table. As per manager for less than an hour. Manager voluntarily discarded product. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed on top of the steam table where light bulbs are located at rusted.
22-31-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed ice bin interior soiled.
22-20-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed multiple floor tiles in disrepair throughout the kitchen and back kitchen.
36-17-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed container of oil stored on floor at dry storage area. Manager stored product properly. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available.
51-18-6
35
Oct 20, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves and proceeded to touch ready to eat food.
12A-07-5
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed establishment operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license since Oct 1, 2025. Operator paid license at the time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
50-17-3
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed accumulation of food debris at handwash sink located across the steam table.
31A-11-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed green cutting board at prep table.
14-09-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
35B-01-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler at the cook line.
29-49-6
Basic - Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink, three-compartment sink, or mop sink. Observed slow draining water at handwashing sink across steam table.
29-20-5
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed water leaking from faucet at three compartment sink faucet.
29-11-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed container of sugar not identified by common name. Operator labeled container. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
50
Mar 27, 2025
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Jan 27, 2025
Complaint Full
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Establishment packaging time/temperature control for safety food using a reduced oxygen method that does not control the growth of and toxin formation of C. botulinum and the growth of Listeria monocytogenes. Establishment does not have an approved Process Waiver from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Observed pork inside ROP inside the walk in cooler. **Warning**
03G-43-2
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed rice and beans inside the walk in cooler not date marked. **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food packaged using a reduced oxygen method without a HACCP plan not properly labeled with the production time and date. Observed cooked pork inside ROP packages. **Warning**
03G-53-1
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed a bucket with sauce stored in the floor in the walk in cooler. Employee removed it. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-38-4
74
Oct 31, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
86
Feb 26, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed employees touching ready to eat tortillas. Employee was coach to wear gloves or to removed the tortillas with tongs. **Warning**
09-01-4
High Priority - Food prepared in an unlicensed food truck parked next to the establishment. Observed establishment is cooking food in an unlicensed food truck. The food truck does not have hot water and food is out of temperature. Meats 67° F. See stop sale. **Warning**
01A-03-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed establishment is cooking food in an unlicensed food truck. The food truck does not have hot water and food is out of temperature. Meats 67° F. **Warning**
01B-02-5
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Observed employee did not provide certification. **Warning**
53A-01-7
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. **Warning**
16-37-1
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 was not able to provide any training. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed a bowl used as scoop inside the corn flour. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-01-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Warning**
50-09-4
Basic - Food being prepared outside. Observed establishment is cooking food in an unlicensed food truck. The food truck does not have hot water and food is out of temperature. **Warning**
08B-32-4
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed a broken lid at the steam table. **Warning**
14-38-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Observed tongs stored on top of the lettuce container. **Warning**
10-06-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler gaskets soiled. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed beef tongue stored next to the 3 compartment sink. Employee removed it. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
06-01-5
Basic - Unpackaged food in an unprotected holding unit in a customer/nonsecure area. Observed walk in cooler and walk in freezer is located outside of the establishment in a closed container but with no lock. Employee closed the door. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08B-63-4
32
Aug 8, 2023
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed employee does not sanitize utensils after washing them. Employee was coach how to sanitize the utensils.
22-45-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored in same container as ready-to-eat food. Observed raw pork stored on the same container with cooked pork. Operator placed the cooked pork above raw pork. **Corrective Action Taken**
08A-08-5
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken stored above raw beef. Employee placed raw chicken at the bottom of the shelf at the walk in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed rice (49 F - Cold Holding); beef (49 F - Cold Holding) inside the reach in cooler underneath the grill. Employee discarded the food. **Repeat Violation**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed rice (49 F - Cold Holding); beef (49 F - Cold Holding) inside the reach in cooler underneath the grill. Employee discarded the food. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Raw/undercooked animal food offered and establishment has no written consumer advisory. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service. Employee displayed the consumer advisory.. **Corrected On-Site**
02B-02-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed beans inside the walk in cooler not date marked. As per employee beans were cooked yesterday.
02C-02-5
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed at the reach in cooler in front of the grill. **Repeat Violation**
29-49-6
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gasket torn in front of the grill.
14-11-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed a plastic cup used as scoop inside the cheese. Employee removed it. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Observed employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation area. Employee placed a lid to the container. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-12-5
Basic - Unpackaged food in an unprotected holding unit in a customer/nonsecure area. Observed walk in cooler and walk in freezer is located outside of the establishment in a closed container but with no lock. Employee closed the door. **Corrective Action Taken**
08B-63-4
30
Aug 23, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed beans (49 F - Cooling) date marked as 08-22-2022, and per manager the product was made yesterday. Manager discarded the product. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
03D-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed beans (49 F - Cooling) date marked as 08-22-2022, and per manager the product was made yesterday. Manager discarded the product. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed drawers: cooked chicken (47 F - Cold Holding); cooked beef (48 F - Cold Holding); cooked pork (46 F - Cold Holding) at drawers reach in cooler, cook line. As per operator for less than three hours. And shredded cheese (60 F - Cold Holding) at reach in cooler drawers preparation area. Manager moved the products to the walk in cooler for rapid cooling. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Observed in unisex bathroom. **Repeat Violation**
32-12-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Repeat Violation**
13-03-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor at walk in cooler soiled.
36-73-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer drawers in holding unit next to mop sink. **Repeat Violation**
05-09-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed fan cover soiled over cooked rice located at shelf over preparation table.
23-03-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed a dish used to dispense flour rice, flour, rice. Operator removed the dishes. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Observed 8 drawers reach in cooler at 60°F located at preparation area. **Repeat Violation**
14-74-7
43
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Tacazo #3 last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Tacazo #3 on file is from Feb 9, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Tacazo #3?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at El Tacazo #3.
How does El Tacazo #3 compare to other restaurants in Florida City?
El Tacazo #3 most recently scored 35 out of 100, which is lower than the Florida City average of 66.
Has El Tacazo #3's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Tacazo #3 have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at El Tacazo #3 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 Tacazo #3 inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Tacazo #3 is inspected around two times per year on average.
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