Ernesto's Taco Shop
Last inspected: Nov 12, 2025
43
Score
Ernesto's Taco Shop appears in inspection records nine times, starting in 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Nov 12, 2025. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near seven violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been the most frequent reason, cited five times.
The city-wide average sits at 74, which Ernesto's Taco Shop's 43 doesn't quite reach. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.
9
Inspections
3
Critical latest
2
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 12, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed splitter at mop sink missing vacuum breaker. Operator removed splitter. **Corrected On-Site**
29-42-4
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed rice stored directly inside non food grade bag at steam table. Operator placed rice inside food grade bag. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-31-5
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee put on gloves and begin to prepare customer order without first washing hands.
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Observed cooked beef and cooked pork not properly date marked when removed from freezer inside reach in cooler.
02C-04-5
Intermediate - Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. Observed some employee training certificates missing date of birth. **Repeat Violation**
53B-10-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed broken reach in freezer in back area.
14-11-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed multiple floor tiles cracked throughout kitchen and prep area. **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler gaskets soiled at cook line. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
43
Jul 29, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed splitter at mop sink no vacuum breaker.
29-42-4
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed raw beef stored inside non food grade bag inside reach in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-31-5
Intermediate - Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. Observed some employee training certificates missing date of birth.
53B-10-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed multiple tiles cracked in kitchen area. **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed fan cover dusty inside standing reach in cooler in back area.
23-03-4
61
Mar 14, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed cooked rice stored inside thank you bag at steam table.
14-31-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef stored over soup inside standing reach in cooler in back prep area. Operator relocated products for proper storage. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed deli slicer blade soiled in prep area
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at hand sink in kitchen, operator provided paper towels. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. Observed date of birth missing on some employee training certificates.
53B-10-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Emailed operator handout. **Corrected On-Site**
51-13-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor tiles cracked in kitchen/prep area **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed gaskets torn at reach in freezer door
14-11-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed reach in cooler and reach in freezer handles soiled in back prep area
23-24-4
45
Nov 20, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
55
Jan 9, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 200ppm). Operator made a new sanitizer solution, sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 100ppm). **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-27-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed pinto beans (67F - Cold Holding). As per operator cooked the prior day. Operator discarded beans. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed pinto beans (67F - Cold Holding). As per operator cooked the prior day. Operator discarded beans. **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled cutting board, located at cooking line.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink, located at cooking line. Employee provided a new paper towel roll. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed rusted shelves with clean aluminum food containers on top, located at three compartments sink.
22-31-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface, located at front counter. **Repeat Violation**
14-33-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed 1 boxe of paper towels stored on the floor at dining room. Operator removed it, **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
Basic - Standing reach-in cooler interior have accumulation of soil residues, located at prep area behind the kitchen.
22-16-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed several plastic bottles with different sauces throughout establishment. **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling tile with hole, located near the restroom.
36-32-5
Basic - Interior microwave has accumulation of grease/food debris, located at cooking line. Employee cleaned it. **Corrected On-Site**
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler gaskets soiled, located at front counter. Employee cleaned it. **Corrected On-Site**
23-03-4
33
Oct 4, 2023
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn, located at front counter. - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-04: Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface located at back kitchen. **Time Extended**
14-11-5
95
Oct 2, 2023
Routine - Food
6 critical violations. 9 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. At time of inspection food employee touching soiled utensils and then grabbing cheese without washing hands and changing gloves. Discussed and coached proper hand washing with employee. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-09-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw beef over cooked pork inside standing cooler. Employee removed it and placed it correctly.
08A-02-6
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed cooked rice inside nonfood-grade bag on steam table located at front counter.
14-31-5
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
50-17-3
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 200 plus ppm). Employee prepared a new sanitizer solution Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 50ppm). **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Flip top cooler: ; cut lettuce (52F - Cold holding ); pico de gallo (58F - Cold holding ); taco beef (58F - Cold holding ); cheese (48F - Cold holding ) cooked beef (53F - Cold holding ); chicken (50F - Cold holding ); cooked pork (47F - Cold holding ); cooked beef (48F - Cold holding). Employee placed ice bags inside flip top cooler and reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled slicer blade located at back kitchen. Observed soiled fan guard located at back kitchen on top of shelf near standing cooler. Observed soiled reach in cooler fan guard located at back kitchen. Observed soiled reach in cooler handle. Observed soiled reach in cooler gaskets located at front counter. Observed soiled hood system. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed plastic bottles with sauce inside standing cooler located at back kitchen.
02D-01-5
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface located at back kitchen.
14-33-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler located at front counter.
29-49-6
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed plastic container inside rice bag located under prep table at back kitchen.
14-01-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable located at front counter.
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed plastic container stored near three compartment sink.
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn, located at front counter.
14-11-5
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed cracked plastic container stored on top of shelf near three compartment sink.
14-38-4
26
Jun 28, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Food manager certification expired 6/26/18. Person in charge has it scheduled to be retaken. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
53A-03-7
Basic - Old food stuck to clean dishware/utensils. Observed old food residue on food containers stacked on drying rack. Discussed with person in charge.
16-48-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on flip-top cooler and reach in cooler soiled with black/green mold like substance.
23-03-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Woman's restroom has hole in wall next to toilet. Person in charge has work order scheduled. **Corrective Action Taken**
36-24-5
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Food container lid melted. Discussed with person in charge.
14-38-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling tile missing above drinks in hallway. Person in charge has purchased replacement tile. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
36-32-5
70
Jul 12, 2022
Routine - Food
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Back prep area.
36-32-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees, located at the back prep area.
31B-04-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed containers with salt and not label stored on shelf at the back prep area.
02D-01-5
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Ernesto's Taco Shop last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Ernesto's Taco Shop on file is from Nov 12, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Ernesto's Taco Shop?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Ernesto's Taco Shop.
How does Ernesto's Taco Shop compare to other restaurants in Miami?
Ernesto's Taco Shop most recently scored 43 out of 100, which is lower than the Miami average of 74.
Has Ernesto's Taco Shop's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Ernesto's Taco Shop have averaged around seven violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Ernesto's Taco Shop means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Ernesto's Taco Shop inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Ernesto's Taco Shop is inspected around three times per year on average.
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