Epazote
Last inspected: Jan 28, 2026
58
Score
Inspectors have visited Epazote eight times, with records going back to 2022. Epazote was last inspected on Jan 28, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around seven violations to closer to three violations per visit.
“Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food” comes up most often, recorded two times in the inspection record.
Compared to other Fort Lauderdale restaurants (averaging 80), there's room to close the gap. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
8
Inspections
2
Critical latest
2
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 28, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
58
Aug 4, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
82
Mar 19, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Mar 18, 2025
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food originating from an unapproved source. Per Operator packaged tres leches and flan prepared at home. **Warning**
01B-04-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed buckets of hominy 75F - cooling, left on food prep table overnight per operator. See Stop Sale. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found 1. Observed one live, small flying insect flying at front counter in kitchen. 2. Observed approximately 20 live, small flying insects in box of fresh tomatoes stored on cleaned utensils rack in dry storage area, away from kitchen. **Admin Complaint**
35A-02-7
High Priority - Food prepared in a private home. See stop sale. Observed packaged tres leches and flan prepared at home per operator in reach in cooler in prep area. **Warning**
01A-03-4
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed buckets of hominy 75F - cooling, left on food prep table overnight per operator. See Stop Sale. **Warning**
03D-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed squirt bottle with yellow toxic substance and spray bottle with white toxic substance not labeled and stored at the triple sink in the ware wash area. Operator labeled bleach and window cleaner. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Opened milk in the reach in cooler. **Warning**
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed employee improperly handwashing at the triple sink in the kitchen. **Warning**
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Nonfood-grade basting brush used in food. Observed in used basting mop at the cook-line in the kitchen. Operator discarded. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
14-14-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. 1. Observed plastic container of oil stored on the floor at the front counter. Operator removed. 2. Observed plastic water bottles stored on floor in dry storage area. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee personal cell phone next to cleaned equipment above triple sink at front counter. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
40-06-5
29
Dec 3, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
43
Feb 7, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cookline - small flip top - raw fish (41-46F). Observed item filled past chill line. Per operator item placed in unit less than 2 hours ago. Operator placed in larger pan and put in unit to quick chill. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Soup - glass door unit - per operator prepared 3 days ago. Operator date marked. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl in rice. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
74
Dec 8, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 6 major violations.
View 9 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed
FL-27
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
25
Aug 16, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food.Prep cook handled raw steak with gloves and changed gloves. Employee washed hands. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ **Repeat Violation**
53A-05-6
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.
53B-14-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Plastic cup in Parmesan cheese in flip top cooler at front counter. Plastic cup removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Soiled dry wiping cloth in use., under cutting board at front counter. Wiping cloth removed. **Corrected On-Site**
21-10-4
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Epazote last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Epazote on file is from Jan 28, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Epazote?
Across the inspection record, “bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Epazote.
How does Epazote compare to other restaurants in Fort Lauderdale?
Epazote most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Fort Lauderdale average of 80.
Has Epazote's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Epazote have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Epazote 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 Epazote inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Epazote is inspected around two times per year on average.
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