Empire Lounge & Pizzeria
Last inspected: Jul 30, 2025
70
Score
Empire Lounge & Pizzeria appears in inspection records six times, starting in 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Jul 30, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around six violations to closer to eight violations.
Across the inspection history, “establishment has no written procedures for employees” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
Among South Miami restaurants, the typical score is 63; Empire Lounge & Pizzeria is comfortably above that bar. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 30, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 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. Observed no form or kit; inspector provided via email. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
11-27-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed in kitchen coolers. Observed in walk in cooler and freezer; located upstairs.
22-16-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed at downstairs bar; cooler leaking.
29-11-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed in ice machine; located in back of kitchen.
22-20-5
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Observed no poster; inspector provided via email. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
51-13-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available. Observed last inspection not on site.
51-18-6
70
Apr 29, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed at kitchen entrance with no label.
41-17-4
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. Observed no form or kit; inspector provided via email. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed soiled tiles throughout kitchen area.
36-34-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed in disrepair near dish machine.
36-24-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup in multiple reach in freezers.
14-69-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Observed no poster; inspector provided via email. **Corrective Action Taken**
51-13-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed in coolers soiled gaskets.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed in multiple reach in coolers.
14-33-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed in cooler in bar area.
29-49-6
58
Apr 25, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine + 200 ppm). Operator added water to get 100 ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-27-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink located at bar area.
31B-03-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed microwave door handle soiled.
23-24-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed a ceiling tile in disrepair at dishwasher area.
36-32-5
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
32-12-5
Basic - Ice buildup in white reach-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed utensils in standing water at 120°F at stove. Operator turned on the stove to reheat the water. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
10-07-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed interior of microwave soiled.
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler gasket soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed some aluminum single service containers not stored inverted. Operator inverted. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
52
Jan 3, 2024
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed Dishwasher (Chlorine 0 ppm).
22-41-4
High Priority - In-use utensil stored in unclean water at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed utensils in water at 120°F. Operator turn on the stove to reheat the water. **Corrective Action Taken**
10-05-5
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed bread inside of thank you bags at walk in cooler.
14-31-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed shredded cheese (56 F - Cold Holding); chicken wings (46 F - Cold Holding) at reach in cooler preparation area. As per operator for less than three hours. Operator moved the products to another reach in cooler for rapid cooling. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Wiping cloth solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed stored in a location that could result in the cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Observed Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine + 200 ppm). Operator added water to get 100 ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
41-15-5
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. The clean up of vomiting and diarrheal events form was provided. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. The food employees repotting agreement was provided. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
35
Mar 2, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed the chlorine sanitizing solution concentration at 10 ppm Operator replaced the chlorine container for a new one. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-49-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. **Repeat Violation**
42-01-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed in the kitchen area clean kitchen utensils with the food contact area facing up
24-05-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed at the kitchen area. **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the fan cover of the walk in cooler cooling unit soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed the pizza oven soiled
22-08-4
67
Oct 11, 2022
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Empire Lounge & Pizzeria last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Empire Lounge & Pizzeria on file is from Jul 30, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Empire Lounge & Pizzeria?
Across the inspection record, “establishment has no written procedures for employees” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Empire Lounge & Pizzeria.
How does Empire Lounge & Pizzeria compare to other restaurants in South Miami?
Empire Lounge & Pizzeria most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is higher than the South Miami average of 63.
Has Empire Lounge & Pizzeria's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Empire Lounge & Pizzeria have averaged around eight violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Empire Lounge & Pizzeria 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 Empire Lounge & Pizzeria inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Empire Lounge & Pizzeria is inspected around two times per year on average.
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