El Tropico #1
Last inspected: Feb 17, 2026
67
Score
Public records show 11 inspections at El Tropico #1 stretching back to 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Feb 17, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around six violations per visit versus roughly four violations earlier in the record.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer”, showing up four times.
By comparison, the average Kissimmee facility scores 78, putting El Tropico #1 on the weaker side. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
11
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 17, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
67
Oct 13, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
50
Jun 27, 2025
Complaint Full
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Aloe Vera gel stored with sauces at white reach in fridge at entrance to kitchen
41-07-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found Five flying insects at storage area
35A-02-7
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Dough stored in thank you bag at walk in cooler
14-31-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs stored over cut lettuce and onions at reach in fridge at entrance to kitchen
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand washing sink at front counter used to dump pit her of water
31A-11-4
Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Women's bathroom door
32-04-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Water bottle stored on dry storage shelf
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. BBQ sauce and container of Sazon stored on floor by prep table on cooks line
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Walk in freezer
14-69-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knife stored between prep table and reach in freezer at prep area
10-17-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No hand washing sign at front counter sink. Emailed operator hand washing sign **Corrective Action Taken**
31B-04-4
37
Feb 12, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Containers of shredded chicken covered with paper towels with the paper towels in direct contact with chicken in walk in cooler - From follow-up inspection 2025-02-12: **Time Extended**
14-86-1
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand washing sink at front counter sink.Emailed operator hand washing sign **Corrective Action Taken** - From follow-up inspection 2025-02-12: **Time Extended**
31B-04-4
82
Feb 10, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Containers of shredded chicken covered with paper towels with the paper towels in direct contact with chicken in walk in cooler
14-86-1
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Shredded chicken stored in to go bags at reach in cooler
14-31-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Beef,eggs,cheese,chicken and sausage all temping between 47F-51F,per operator items were in walk in cooler overnight. Milk stored at white reach in cooler temping at 67F
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Beef,eggs,cheese,chicken and sausage all temping between 47F-51F,per operator items were in walk in cooler overnight. Milk stored at white reach in cooler **Warning**
03A-02-5
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. White reach in cooler by entrance door to kitchen Walk in cooler
14-74-7
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on top of container of sugar at front line **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knives stored under coffee maker at front counter
10-17-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand washing sink at front counter sink.Emailed operator hand washing sign **Corrective Action Taken**
31B-04-4
45
Sep 10, 2024
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food stored on floor. Container of sauce stored on floor of walk in cooler **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-10: **Time Extended**
08B-38-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Fans of walk in freezer **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-10: **Time Extended**
14-69-4
90
Jul 12, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
33
Mar 7, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
55
Jul 21, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked chicken red beans walk in cooler **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Jenny Lobelo
53B-14-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Cutting board
14-11-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Walk in freezer **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - Stored food not covered. Red beans, raw chicken raw bacon walk in cooler **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Corn starch **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
58
Feb 9, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. - pork chops (67-72F - Cooling) cooked yesterday stop sale
03D-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. pork chops (67-72F - Cooling) cooked yesterday stop sale
01B-02-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. All food in walk-in cooler cooked pork chops, soups, beans, broths
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Incorrect chemical test kit provided for measuring the concentration of the sanitizer solution used in the three-compartment sink and/or dishmachine.
16-32-5
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. In walk-in cooler and dry storage
08B-47-4
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Thawing breaded chicken in ambient temperature **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
50
Sep 16, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Prepped raw steak over open package of hotdogs and sliced ham. Shell eggs over prepped steaks, Hot Dogs and sliced ham.
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Pulled chicken temped at 80f. Advised to use half of quantity for prepping empanadas and continue cooling balance in shallow pan. New temp after rapid chill 40f. **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Handwash sink at front counter used for water pitchers and other items. Advised to move pitchers to shelf and cd's on shelf to top of receiver. **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Vents throughout facility including exhaust fans in restrooms soiled.
36-34-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Front counter hand wash sink.
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Handwash sink at cookline, including paper towel dispenser and soap dispenser.
23-03-4
Basic - Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Employee cutting unwashed onions. Advised to wash first to not drag the blade through the vegetable.
08B-39-4
Basic - Unnecessary items/unused equipment on the premises. Cardboard, milk crates and various other items at back door. **Corrected On-Site**
33-31-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
50
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Tropico #1 last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Tropico #1 on file is from Feb 17, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Tropico #1?
Across the inspection record, “ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at El Tropico #1.
How does El Tropico #1 compare to other restaurants in Kissimmee?
El Tropico #1 most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Kissimmee average of 78.
Has El Tropico #1's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at El Tropico #1 have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at El Tropico #1 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 Tropico #1 inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Tropico #1 is inspected around three times per year on average.
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