Epicentro Cafe
Last inspected: Nov 17, 2025
58
Score
Inspectors have visited Epicentro Cafe eight times, with records going back to 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Nov 17, 2025. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around five violations compared to roughly 13 violations earlier on.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb”, showing up four times.
By comparison, the average Hialeah facility scores 76, putting Epicentro Cafe on the weaker side. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
3
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 17, 2025
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle with faboluso not labeled at 3 compartment sink. Manager labeled during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed metal trays inside handwashing sink next to front counter. Manager removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at handwashing sink next to front counter. Manager provided during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor soiled with dust at front counter, **Corrected On-Site**
36-73-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no handwashing sign at handwashing sink next to front counter. Provided operator via email.
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed preparation tables soiled with dust at preparation area.
23-03-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall soiled with dust at front counter and storage area.
36-27-5
58
Jun 27, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No test kit of any kind available.
16-37-1
Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors.
32-04-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed tiles on side door to outside.
35B-01-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
51-13-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No sign on any hand sink.
31B-04-4
74
Jul 11, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
78
Jul 1, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 13 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed raw chicken (51F); raw beef (51F - Cold Holding) ; sausage (47F - Cold Holding); located at reach in cooler next to the fryer station. Employee added ice bags on top food items. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed vacuum breaker missing at 3 compartment sink. **Repeat Violation**
29-34-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 9 flies on back preparation area next to kitchen. Also 3 flies at front counter area.
35A-02-6
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed on reach in cooler and reach in freezer handles soiled.
23-24-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed damaged tile on top of customer bathroom.
36-32-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed clean plates not inverted on top preparation table, and steam table across 3 compartment sink. Employee inverted plates during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
24-05-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee handling food without a hair restraint.
13-03-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed gaskets torn in reach in cooler by cook line .
14-11-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed on back door next to pizza oven. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed at kitchen and ware washing area.
36-22-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed ice scoop stored in a cup in water at room temperature. Employee discarded water .
10-07-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed inside reach in cooler and refrigerator,no ambient thermometer.
05-09-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed reach in cooler interior soiled, at kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed 2 cases of papaya stored on the floor. Employee stored 6 inches above the floor. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed at kitchen area and ware washing area.
36-02-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed on top of back preparation table next to reach in cooler.
21-12-4
33
Feb 19, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored in same container as ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken and raw pork inside same container inside walk in cooler, employee stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-08-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw chicken container stored above unwashed yucas inside walk in cooler, employee stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed milk (54F - Cold Holding) located in front counter.As per employee approximately 1 hour. Employee stored properly into reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled cutter under preparation table, employee start cleaning during inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed shelves inside reach in cooler located in kitchen area next to fryer.
22-31-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed in unit at kitchen area.
14-33-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed soiled wall with accumulated grease in kitchen area next to fryer.
36-27-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed sugar container not labeled in front counter. Employee labeled product during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed inside seasoning container under preparation table in kitchen area.Employee removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed under racks inside walk in cooler.
36-01-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed soiled floor under equipment in kitchen area.
36-73-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled gaskets in unit in kitchen area. Also observed accumulation of grease on hood filters in kitchen area.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed shelves have accumulation soil residues in reach in cooler next to fryer.
22-16-4
35
Oct 9, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 9 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed on 3 compartment sink hose connected no back flow preventer. **Repeat Violation**
29-34-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed slicer soiled and interior of reach in cooler at kitchen.
22-02-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed at kitchen, and preparation areas. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee at kitchen and sandwich station no hair restraints while preparing food. **Repeat Violation**
13-03-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed gaskets torn, and rusted shelves inside reach in cooler at kitchen.
14-11-5
Basic - Grease on the ground and/or pad around grease receptacle. Observed buildup of on the ground,grease around grease receptacle area.
33-20-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup inside walk in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on front counter next to ice cream freezer, ice cream scoop inside container with water at 85F. Manager discarded water and stored scoop in a dry clean container. **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed at kitchen and storage areas concrete floor no sealed. **Repeat Violation**
36-02-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed at kitchen prep table. **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed sugar containers at coffee station no labeled. Manager labeled sugar containers. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
50
Mar 28, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken stored over container with raw beef in reach in cooler. Employee stored raw chicken on bottom sh under raw be container, **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed at 3 compartment sink by kitchen. No vacuum breaker on hose bib. **Repeat Violation**
29-34-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed container with raw beef stored over a case of malanga, inside walk in cooler. Employee moved raw beef container away from unwashed produce. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
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.
11-27-4
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/
53A-05-6
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.
11-26-1
Basic - Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves.
14-45-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed bowls and plates not inverted above steam table.
24-05-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed cook at kitchen no hair restraints.
13-03-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed fan cover inside walk in cooler dusty.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed at kitchen one do reach in cooler shelves rusted. **Repeat Violation**
14-33-4
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Observed ceiling fan blade soiled with accumulation of dust,on ware washing area. Observed exhaust fan located in the kitchen soiled with accumulation grease. **Repeat Violation**
36-50-4
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. **Repeat Violation**
36-02-5
32
Nov 1, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 11 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed by the 3 compartment sink.
29-34-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed marinated beef stored above shredded cheese,located in the domestic reach in cooler. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed raw chicken stored in shopping bags,located in the walk-in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-31-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed vent located in the kitchen soiled with accumulation grease.
36-34-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler sliding glass doors broken,prep area unit. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn and in disrepair,kitchen unit.
14-11-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed at the back door.
35B-01-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed bag containing sugar cane stored on floor of the walk-in cooler.
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer Observed in the walk-in freezer.. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed for the bulk sugar bin. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed interior of oven soiled with accumulation grease and food debris,kitchen.
22-08-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed for reach in cooler located in the kitchen.
14-33-4
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Observed ceiling fan blade soiled with accumulation of dust,unit in the ware washing area. Observed exhaust fan located in the kitchen soiled with accumulation grease.
36-50-4
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed in the kitchen,ware washing, prep areas.
36-02-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed squeeze bottles containing oils and sauces located in the kitchen.
02D-01-5
37
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Epicentro Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Epicentro Cafe on file is from Nov 17, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Epicentro Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Epicentro Cafe.
How does Epicentro Cafe compare to other restaurants in Hialeah?
Epicentro Cafe most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Hialeah average of 76.
Has Epicentro Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Epicentro Cafe have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly 13 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Epicentro Cafe 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 Epicentro Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Epicentro Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants