Esperanza's Cafeteria
Last inspected: Dec 1, 2025
64
Score
Across the available record, Esperanza's Cafeteria has 10 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Dec 1, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near three violations each time.
Looking across the full record, “handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
Esperanza's Cafeteria's latest score of 64 falls below the Hialeah average of 76. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 1, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed handwashing sink soiled with food debris. Manager cleaned during inspection. **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 in kitchen area. Manager provided during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
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 on top table. Behind front counter. Manager removed and stored away. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed cooking oil being stored on the floor next to oven. Manager removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed microwave interior soiled with food debris at cookline. Manager cleaned during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
22-08-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee personal drink on top preparation table. Manager removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
64
Jul 8, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed food residue inside handwashing sink across from oven . Manager cleaned properly during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at ladies restroom. Manager provided during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
78
Mar 10, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Feb 28, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
55
Nov 1, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Sep 19, 2024
Routine - Food
4 major violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand sink used as dump sink at kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Nonfood-grade basting brush used in food. Observed paint brush used at coffee station. **Warning**
14-14-4
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/ Observed for Olga Rodriguez 05/15/2024 **Warning**
53A-03-7
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting board soiled. **Warning**
22-02-4
67
Apr 3, 2024
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
64
Oct 9, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle containing degreaser no labeled. Manager labeled spray bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling tiles with water stains at dining area.
36-32-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed white cut board at kitchen grooved.
14-09-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed interior of microwave soiled.
22-08-4
78
Mar 31, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed thank you bag used to sore drinking ice inside reach in freezer.
14-31-5
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 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 - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer.
14-69-4
67
Nov 3, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw chicken above potato fries located in the standing reach in freezer. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-17-6
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed in the ice machine. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed for the microwave. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
22-08-4
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Esperanza's Cafeteria last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Esperanza's Cafeteria on file is from Dec 1, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Esperanza's Cafeteria?
Across the inspection record, “handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Esperanza's Cafeteria.
How does Esperanza's Cafeteria compare to other restaurants in Hialeah?
Esperanza's Cafeteria most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Hialeah average of 76.
Has Esperanza's Cafeteria's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Esperanza's Cafeteria have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Esperanza's Cafeteria 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 Esperanza's Cafeteria inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Esperanza's Cafeteria is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants