La America Cantina
Last inspected: Dec 29, 2025
74
Score
Going back to 2022, La America Cantina has eight inspections in the public record. The latest inspection on file is from Dec 29, 2025. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around four violations, down from roughly nine violations earlier in the record.
Across the inspection history, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.
The city-wide average is 76, putting La America Cantina squarely in typical territory. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 29, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed in use rubber gloves inside handwashing sink. Manager removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Observed one ceiling tile missing at cookline .
36-36-4
Basic - Hole in on the ceiling . Observed hole on the ceiling at preparation area. .
36-24-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed inside oven soiled with food debris at cook line .
22-08-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed reach in cooler spikes with food debris at prep area. Manager cleaned during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
22-16-4
74
Aug 12, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed food residue inside handwashing sink next to 3 compartment sink. Employee cleaned properly during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed green cutting board soiled with food debris in prep area.
22-02-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling tiles soiled with water marks at kitchen area.
36-34-5
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed employee personal bottles of water inside reach in freezer in storage area. Manager removed and discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
74
Mar 24, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener soiled with food debris on top preparation table. Manager cleaned properly. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed reach in freezer with ice buildup next to dry storage.
14-69-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed reach in cooler soiled with food debris, Employee cleaned properly during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
22-16-4
82
Oct 3, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed metal container with cooked rice not date marked. Manager dated product during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling tiles stain with water marks next to office desk.
36-34-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed door handle soiled with food debris at reach in cooler at next preparation table across from oven.
23-03-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed employee bottle water inside reach in. Freezer at kitchen area. Manager removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed a box of to go container being stored on the floor next to front storage area. Manager removed and stored.
25-05-4
74
May 8, 2024
Routine - Food
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed floor fan and fan over reach in cooler soiled , - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-08: Observed floor fan was placed outside to be cleaned. **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed reach in cooler shelves rusty in the kitchen area. - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-08: Observed reach in cooler shelves rusty in the kitchen area. **Time Extended**
14-33-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Screen in windows torn/in poor repair - vermin present. Observed broken screen on the windows of the 3 compartment sink. - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-08: Observed screen on the window was replaced by 16 mesh screen. Observed the door with screen bigger than 16 mesh but less than an inch, no solid door present at the exit on the back of the kitchen. **Time Extended**
35B-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor and wall junctures not coved in food preparation/storage/warewashing areas or bathroom. Observed no cove molding at floor wall juncture behind cooking equipment , under 3 compartment sink. ,next to exit door . - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-08: Observed no cove molding at floor wall juncture behind cooking equipment , under 3 compartment sink, next to exit door. **Time Extended**
36-08-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed several floor tiles in disrepair, broken tiles throughout the kitchen area. - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-08: Observed several floor tiles in disrepair, broken tiles throughout the kitchen area. **Time Extended**
36-17-5
78
May 7, 2024
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 12 minor violations.
View 17 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed a dented can of mixed vegetables, operator discarded can. **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-01-4
High Priority - Live rodent present. Observed live mouse running behind stove and get into hole in the wall.
35A-19-4
High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Observed 2 fly mosquitoes killer cans on top of employee hand washing sink, operator removed it. **Corrected On-Site**
41-05-4
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed one live roach in the kitchen area. Operator killed it and discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
35A-05-4
High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed more than 25 mouse droppings behind stove next to hole on the wall. And 3 more droppings under 3 compartment sink.
35A-04-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed one dead roach exit the door. And one dead roach under preparation table at kitchen area.
35A-03-4
Basic - Dead worms present. Observed 2 dead worms by the exit back door.
35A-20-4
Basic - Drain cover(s) in disrepair under exit door at the back of the kitchen.
29-18-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Observed cooked pork inside reach in cooler as per operator employee food.
08B-49-4
Basic - Floor and wall junctures not coved in food preparation/storage/warewashing areas or bathroom. Observed no cove molding at floor wall juncture behind cooking equipment , under 3 compartment sink. ,next to exit door .
36-08-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water under double sink at preparation area.
36-22-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed several floor tiles in disrepair, broken tiles throughout the kitchen area.
36-17-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed a hole on the wall behind the stove by where the mouse enters and exit from preparation area. And hole on the wall next to exit door at the back of the kitchen. Operator started to put foam sealants on the holes.
36-24-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed floor fan and fan over reach in cooler soiled ,
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed reach in cooler shelves rusty in the kitchen area.
14-33-4
Basic - Worn, torn and/or soiled floors/carpeting. Observed hole on floor next to exit door at the back of the kitchen area.
36-10-4
Basic - Screen in windows torn/in poor repair - vermin present. Observed broken screen on the windows of the 3 compartment sink.
35B-09-4
26
Jun 28, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
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. Provided form during inspection.
11-27-4
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Observed grease accumulation in hood filters.
36-50-4
86
Nov 3, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 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 beef above croquettes,located in the standing reach in freezer. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-17-6
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed at the steam table.
29-34-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed in the kitchen. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chlorine test strips available at the time of the inspection. **Repeat Violation**
16-37-1
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Observed above cookline line.
36-36-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed for bulk storage bins , beans,rice.
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed in the chest freezer, standing unit at the front storage area.
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters soiled with accumulation grease. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Screening is not 16-mesh to the inch. Observed at the back door.
35B-13-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed for cooked fish located in the walk-in cooler. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Observed hood soiled with accumulation grease.
36-50-4
43
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La America Cantina last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La America Cantina on file is from Dec 29, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La America Cantina?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at La America Cantina.
How does La America Cantina compare to other restaurants in Hialeah?
La America Cantina most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is about the same as the Hialeah average of 76.
Has La America Cantina's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at La America Cantina have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly nine earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at La America Cantina 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 La America Cantina inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La America Cantina is inspected around three times per year on average.
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