La Cocinita Cubana
Last inspected: Apr 16, 2026
67
Score
Inspectors have visited La Cocinita Cubana nine times, with records going back to 2022. The most recent visit was on Apr 16, 2026. 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 six violations each time.
“Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing four times across the record.
That's lower than the typical Brandon restaurant, which scores around 82. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 16, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shelled eggs stored overtop cooked pork inside reach in cooler. Owner removed and properly stored eggs.
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. No date markings on cooked beef inside refrigerator. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwashing sink has a table stored in front of it. **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink stored on food preparation table next to hot holding unit.
12B-07-4
67
Sep 30, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Butter held on time as a public health control has no time stamp.
03F-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwashing sink is blocked by small table . **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Handwashing sink has dishes stored inside it. Owner removed and properly stored dishes. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Rice cooked and held longer then 24 hours has no date markings inside white refrigerator next to microwave.
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Handwashing sink sink has no hot water at time of inspection.
27-16-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Cans of soda stored in floor underneath grill.
08B-38-4
55
Mar 27, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Emergency-C vitamin packets on prep table in kitchen.
41-07-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Blocked by table.
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Dishes in handwash sink. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Rice and multiple items in reach in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not washed, rinsed and sanitized in the correct order in three-compartment sink. Do not use dishes/equipment not properly sanitized. Operator only has 1 bay of 3 compartment sink with water. Operator set up 3 compartment sink at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
16-13-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Reach in cooler door handle broken. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee glass of water in reach in cooler with soda. Operator relocated.
12B-13-4
50
Jul 31, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
50
Jan 4, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw eggs over cheese and multiple items in reach in cooler. Operator relocated at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwash sink blocked cart. **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Handle broken of reach in cooler.
14-11-5
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in freezer.
22-16-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table in kitchen. Operator removed at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
61
Sep 14, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
58
Mar 17, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored in same container as ready-to-eat food. Raw bacon stored in same compartment inside refrigerator with coffee creamers and coffee. Operator removed bacon and properly stored it. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-08-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw eggs stored on top of cooked shrimp inside refrigerator. Operator removed eggs and properly stored them. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on reach in cooler has stains and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Rice inside refrigerator made longer then 24 hours ago has no date markings. Operator discarded rice. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bottles of water,bread stored on floor. Operator removed items from floor and properly stored it**Repeat Violation** **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Handle on reach in cooler is broken and hanging by a screw. Gaskets inside reach in cooler are torn.
14-11-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Operator preparing food is not wearing any hair restraints. **Repeat Violation**
13-03-4
52
Dec 13, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs over bread in reach in cooler, operator move eggs to another cooler. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cheese 54 F, ham 55 F in reach in cooler. Operator moved to working cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
53B-01-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Water bottles on floor.
08B-38-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Reach in cooler door handle broken.
14-11-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed operator preparing sandwich with no hair restraint. **Repeat Violation**
13-03-4
50
Jul 12, 2022
Routine - Food
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-05-12: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-12: Operator purchase Quaternary ammonia test strips and needs chlorine test strips. **Admin Complaint**
16-37-1
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Verified operator only has the 360training.com (Learn2Serve) offers a Food Safety Manager Principles training Violation due by:7/10/2022 **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-05-12: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-12: Operator does not have food handler certification at time of callback. **Admin Complaint**
53B-01-5
82
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Cocinita Cubana last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Cocinita Cubana on file is from Apr 16, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Cocinita Cubana?
Across the inspection record, “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at La Cocinita Cubana.
How does La Cocinita Cubana compare to other restaurants in Brandon?
La Cocinita Cubana most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Brandon average of 82.
Has La Cocinita Cubana's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at La Cocinita Cubana have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at La Cocinita Cubana 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 Cocinita Cubana inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Cocinita Cubana is inspected around two times per year on average.
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