Express Cafeteria
Last inspected: Feb 23, 2026
67
Score
Going back to 2022, Express Cafeteria has eight inspections in the public record. Inspectors last stopped by on Feb 23, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around eight violations lately and about 10 violations before that.
The pattern that stands out is “exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens”, which has been cited four times.
The city-wide average sits at 74, which Express Cafeteria's 67 doesn't quite reach. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
8
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 23, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed food stored in nonfood grade take bags stored inside reach in freezer located in front lobby and also inside the reach in freezer located inside kitchen area.
14-31-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee personal beverage on top of prep table next to walk in freezer.
12B-07-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed a gap at back exit kitchen door.
35B-01-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed a hole inside kitchen area next to exit back door.
36-24-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup at walk in freezer by the fans and ceiling inside of the unit.
14-69-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet wiping cloth on top of counter next to orange juice machine at the front counter.
21-12-4
67
Sep 10, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed a spray bottle over prep table not labeled with common name.
41-17-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed an employee at the front counter engaging in food preparation not wearing a hair restraint. Employee placed a hairnet on during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed at rear exit of kitchen area.
35B-01-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed torn gasket a hole in the wall underneath oven at prep area next to rear exit.
36-24-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed at walk in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Observed bug zapper on top,of ice machine at front counter.
35B-02-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed standing water at three door reach in cooler at front counter.
29-49-6
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed empanadas in white reach in freezer at kitchen area not covered.
08B-12-5
64
Feb 28, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
41
Nov 21, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
55
Mar 29, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
64
Dec 15, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 12 minor violations.
View 18 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed flan Flan (65F - Cold Holding). As per employee for less than 30 minutes. Employee portioned, and placed it in reach in cooler for rapid cooling. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Observed flan inside reach in cooler at front counter for more than 7 days , 12/05/23. Operator discarded. **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-24-5
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed employee touching flan while portioned without gloves. Coached employee with the proper procedure, employee washed hands and put gloves. **Corrected On-Site**
09-01-4
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Observed flan inside reach in cooler at front counter for more than 7 days , 12/05/23. Operator discarded. **Corrective Action Taken**
02C-01-5
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. Discussed with operator and provided printed handout. **Corrected On-Site**
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. Discussed with operator and provided printed forms. The form was provided and employee singed. **Corrected On-Site**
11-26-1
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling tiles soiled throughout kitchen.
36-34-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable, located at back kitchen preparation area, and from counter near sandwich station. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed white reach in cooler gaskets torn, located at cook line.
14-11-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside, located at back kitchen exit door. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed broken floor tiles throughout kitchen. Observed broken floor tiles throughout kitchen.
36-17-5
Basic - Ice buildup in walk -in freezer, located at back kitchen.
14-69-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed 2 knives stored between electrical line and the wall, located at back kitchen. Employee removed knives. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - Interior of oven has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris, located at back kitchen near exit door.
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed standing reach in cooler gaskets soiled. Observed hood system soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior have accumulation of soil residues, located at cook line.
22-16-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wiping cloth on top of preparation table, located at cook line. Employee removed it, and placed it in sanitizer bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed plastic container with salt without label, stored on shelf at back kitchen.
02D-01-5
25
Mar 28, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Empanadas beef (127F - Hot Holding). As per operator, less than 1 hour. Operator increased temperature on holding unit. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw beef over raw pork inside reach in cooler at preparation area. Employee arranged products according to cooking temperature. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed ham 55°F (Cold Holding) at reach in at preparation area. As per employee, less than 1 hour. Employee moved product to reach in cooler for rapid cooling. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed lids inside of hand washing sink. Operator removed items. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.
31B-02-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed ceiling tiles not smooth and easily cleanable in kitchen area. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor tiles in disrepair at preparation area.
36-17-5
Basic - Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Observed over ice machine at front counter. Employee removed bug zapper. **Corrected On-Site**
35B-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled fan on cuttting board.
23-03-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed sugar in unmarked container at preparation area.
02D-01-5
37
Oct 17, 2022
Routine - Food
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Express Cafeteria last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Express Cafeteria on file is from Feb 23, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Express Cafeteria?
Across the inspection record, “exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Express Cafeteria.
How does Express Cafeteria compare to other restaurants in Miami?
Express Cafeteria most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Miami average of 74.
Has Express Cafeteria's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Express Cafeteria have averaged around eight violations per visit, down from roughly 10 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Express 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 Express Cafeteria inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Express Cafeteria is inspected around two times per year on average.
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