El Tropico Cuban Cuisine
Last inspected: Dec 29, 2025
82
Score
The health department has logged 10 inspections at El Tropico Cuban Cuisine, the earliest from 2022. The most recent visit was on Dec 29, 2025. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near six violations per visit across recent inspections.
“Time/temperature control for safety food thawed” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing four times across the record.
Among North Miami Beach restaurants, the typical score is 72; El Tropico Cuban Cuisine is comfortably above that bar. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 29, 2025
Complaint Full
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-29: Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** **Time Extended**
14-11-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-29: Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. **Warning** **Time Extended**
14-69-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Interior of reach in cooler in disrepair and has exposed insulation. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-29: Basic - Interior of reach in cooler in disrepair and has exposed insulation. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** **Time Extended**
14-36-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-29: Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Warning** **Time Extended**
14-33-4
82
Dec 23, 2025
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink in kitchen area not accessible for employee use at all times due to utensils being stored inside. Chef removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-09-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-11-5
Basic - Establishment charging automatic gratuity without properly disclosing the information on all menus. Observed information only printed on back of printed breakfast menu, bill and on digital menu "FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE 18% WILL BE INCLUDED FOR PARTIES OF 5 OR MORE PLEASE FEEL FREE TO INCREASE OR DECREASE AT YOUR DISCRETION" and "WE IMPOSE A PRICE ADJUSTMENT ON NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS THAT IS NOT GREATER THAN OUR COST OF ACCEPTANCE." Info not on printed dinner or lunch menu. Advised manager that information needs to be on all menus. Manager called graphic designer to reprint menu with information. **Warning**
55-01-4
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. **Warning**
14-69-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. **Warning**
10-07-4
Basic - Interior of reach in cooler in disrepair and has exposed insulation. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-36-5
Basic - Observed can with no handle used to dispense dry rice. **Warning**
14-01-5
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Warning**
14-33-4
64
Jul 21, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 8 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed the following temperatures greater than 41°F; tomatoes (53F - Cold Holding); raw beef (50F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (50F - Cold Holding); sausage (51F - Cold Holding) All were located in kitchen reach in cooler. Cooler had an ambient temperature of 69°F. Per manager food had only been in cooler for about an hour. Manager instructed employee to move all foods to a near by cooler and called maintenance to repair. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
16-21-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed can used to dispense dry rice. Advised manager and he discarded.
14-01-5
Basic - Clean pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner.
24-05-4
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. Cooler had an ambient temperature of 69°F. Per manager food had only been in cooler for about an hour. Manager instructed employee to move all foods to a near by cooler and called maintenance to repair.
14-74-7
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn.
14-11-5
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. **Repeat Violation**
10-07-4
Basic - Observed reach in cooler Interior has exposed insulation. **Repeat Violation**
14-36-5
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-33-4
58
May 9, 2025
Complaint Full
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn.
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed raw fish stored on floor in kitchen area. Chef moved to reach in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
10-07-4
Basic - Interior of refrigerator or freezer in disrepair/has exposed insulation. **Repeat Violation**
14-36-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw fish thawing in standing water.
06-01-5
78
Feb 10, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken stored over cooked chicken. Manager rearranged. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed utensils stored in hand washing sink. Also, observed employee rinsing wiping cloths in hand washing sink.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Nonfood-grade basting brush used in food. **Repeat Violation**
14-14-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn.
14-11-5
Basic - Interior of refrigerator in disrepair and has exposed insulation.
14-36-5
Basic - Observed oranges not washed prior to juicing. Oranges are stored in the box they are delivered in.
08B-39-4
61
Aug 20, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Located in kitchen area.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Nonfood-grade basting brush used in food.
14-14-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
35B-01-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment.
10-17-4
Basic - Interior of refrigerator in disrepair and has exposed insulation.
14-36-5
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler.
29-49-6
67
Mar 5, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken being stored on top of raw beef. Located in reach cooler.
08A-20-5
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged raw salmon bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package.
06-09-1
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee keys being stored on prep shelf in kitchen area.
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed various foods being stored on floor in walk in freezer.
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Located between hand washing sink and stem table. Chef removed. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior has accumulation of soil residues.
22-16-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw ground beef thawing in a bucket of standing water. Located on side of 3 compartment sink.
06-01-5
64
Oct 2, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken being stored on top of cooked chicken. Located in kitchen reach in cooler.
08A-05-6
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed raw chicken being stored in non food grade bags. Located in walk in freezer.
14-31-5
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. As of 10/1/23.
50-17-3
Intermediate - Nonfood-grade basting brush used in food.
14-14-4
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
16-21-4
Basic - Clean pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner.
24-05-4
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged salmon bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package.
06-09-1
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn.
14-11-5
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Located between steam table and hand washing sink.
10-17-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board.
21-04-4
43
Jun 30, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken being stored on top of cooked chicken. Located in kitchen reach in cooler.
08A-05-6
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink.
31B-03-4
Basic - Clean pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner.
24-05-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn.
14-11-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
35B-01-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed cases oranges being stored on floor in walk in cooler.
08B-38-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees.
31B-04-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw beef thawing at room temperature. Located on prep table.
06-01-5
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
16-21-4
55
Aug 9, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken being stored on top of cooked chicken. Located in reach in cooler.
08A-05-6
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured.
51-11-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn.
14-11-5
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Water was 98°F and located on prep table.
10-07-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed various foods in reach in freezer stored uncovered.
08B-12-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed various meats thawing in standing water. Located on side of 3 compartment sink.
06-01-5
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Tropico Cuban Cuisine last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Tropico Cuban Cuisine on file is from Dec 29, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Tropico Cuban Cuisine?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food thawed” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at El Tropico Cuban Cuisine.
How does El Tropico Cuban Cuisine compare to other restaurants in North Miami Beach?
El Tropico Cuban Cuisine most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is higher than the North Miami Beach average of 72.
Has El Tropico Cuban Cuisine's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Tropico Cuban Cuisine have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at El Tropico Cuban Cuisine 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 Tropico Cuban Cuisine inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Tropico Cuban Cuisine is inspected around three times per year on average.
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