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La Costena Mexican Food

3995 Se Salerno Rd., Stuart, FL 34997
Mexican / Latin
Last inspected: Apr 10, 2024
33
Score
High Risk

The health department has logged four inspections at La Costena Mexican Food, the earliest from 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Apr 10, 2024. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record. La Costena Mexican Food's record stops at Apr 10, 2024, more than two years back, so current conditions may differ.

Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around nine violations lately compared to roughly six violations before.

“Operating with an expired division of hotels” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing two times across the record.

The city-wide average sits at 81, which La Costena Mexican Food's 33 doesn't quite reach. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.

4
Inspections
4
Critical latest
5
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 10, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 5 major violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Establishment operating with no potable running water. Water tank empty at time of inspection. Operator refilled water tank. **Corrected On-Site**
27-12-4
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired Dec 1, 2022 **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed Raw shell eggs over Sour cream and hot dogs at stainless reach in cooler. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Flip top cooler: cheese (44F - Cold Holding) Per operator, not prepared or portioned today. Per operator out of temperature for approximately 1 hour. Observed missing pan on top portion of flip top cooler allowing cold air to escape. Operator inserted a pan into empty space and put cheese in reach in freezer to quick chill.**Corrective Action Taken** **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels. Operator provided paper towels. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. Not available at time of inspection. **Repeat Violation**
05-08-4
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. Not available at time of inspection. **Repeat Violation**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Flip top cooler: diced tomatoes (45F - Cooling) at 3:50 since 2:50 - 45F at 4:10 At current rate of cooling product will not reach 41F within 4 hours. Operator placed in reach in freezer to quick chill. **Corrective Action Taken**
03D-15-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. For chlorine sanitizer at triple sink and sanitizer bucket. **Repeat Violation**
16-37-1
33
Nov 28, 2023
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 3 major violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed Carrots and bread stored and in direct contact with thank you to go bags. Advised operator to remove products from to go bags. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
14-31-5
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired 12/1/2022. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed Raw pork over green salsa reach in cooler. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. sour cream (45F - Cold Holding) Observed on top portion of flip top cooler in a squeeze bottle. Per operator, not prepared or portioned today. Per operator, out of temperature for approximately 3 hours. Operator discarded product. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed Hand soap over to go boxes by steering wheel. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
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. Vomit and diarrhea procedure sent to operator.
11-27-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No test kit for chlorine sanitizer at time of inspection.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. No operable probe thermometer present at time of inspection.
05-08-4
35
Jun 12, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation.
View 4 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
58
Aug 5, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Surface clean spray bottle not labeled- operator labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Handwash sink contained bucket and sponge- operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee opened bottle of water on cutting board at fliptop cooler - operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
74

Frequently Asked Questions

When was La Costena Mexican Food last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at La Costena Mexican Food on file is from Apr 10, 2024. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at La Costena Mexican Food?

Across the inspection record, “operating with an expired division of hotels” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at La Costena Mexican Food.

How does La Costena Mexican Food compare to other restaurants in Stuart?

La Costena Mexican Food most recently scored 33 out of 100, which is lower than the Stuart average of 81.

Has La Costena Mexican Food's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at La Costena Mexican Food have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.

What does a high risk rating mean?

A high risk rating at La Costena Mexican Food 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.

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