La Cotorra Cafe
Last inspected: Apr 20, 2026
61
Score
The health department has logged nine inspections at La Cotorra Cafe, the earliest from 2022. On Apr 20, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around eight violations per visit versus roughly four violations earlier in the record.
“Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
Restaurants in Hialeah average 76, so La Cotorra Cafe trails the local norm. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
9
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 20, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed food inside freezer stored on thank you bags. **Repeat Violation**
14-31-5
High Priority - Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Observed shell eggs top of prep table, out fo 1 hour according to cook. Shell eggs placed inside reach in cooler for proper storage. **Corrected On-Site**
03A-03-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets reach in coolers soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed cooking oil container stored on the floor by mop sink. **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed cell phone top of prep table at kitchen. Operator removed cell phone. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed inside ice machine scoop buried on ice. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
61
Dec 11, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed cook change task, cleaned table, no gloves changed or hand washing observed before starting to handle clean equipment and plating food. Inspector coached cook on proper hand washing and glove use. Employee removed gloves, washed hands and stared food handling. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12A-09-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed container with raw chicken, stored over container with cooked pork inside two doors cooler front counter area. Operator stored raw chicken container on bottom shelf under ready to eat food. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Observed carton with shell eggs stored on top of prep table at kitchen, according to cook out for one hour. Cook placed shell eggs inside reach in cooler for proper storage. **Corrected On-Site**
03A-03-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed cups and brush inside hand wash sink. Operator removed items from inside hand washing sink. **Repeat Violation**
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. Observed desserts milk base, prepared two days ago according to operator front counter area no date labeled.
02C-02-5
Basic - Grease on the ground and/or pad around grease receptacle.
33-20-4
Basic - No drainboards or equivalent provided for soiled items and/or air drying cleaned items. Observed at ware washing area. **Repeat Violation**
16-04-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Repeat Violation**
33-16-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed frozen beef ribs thawing at ambient temperature, operator placed frozen ribs under cold running water for proper thawing. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed cases of water bottles stored on the floor. Operator stored water bottles six inches above the floor. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
41
Feb 19, 2025
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
50
Nov 6, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
58
Apr 29, 2024
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed employee washed hands at 3 compartment sink. Manager coached employee in proper hand washing at hand wash sink. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed container and utensils stored inside hand wash sink by front counter. **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chlorine test strips available. **Repeat Violation**
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Employee provided paper towels. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed case of water bottles stored on the floor. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed shelves soiled inside reach in cooler at kitchen.
22-16-4
61
Jan 16, 2024
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed Cook no hair restraint while cooking. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-16: Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Time Extended**
13-03-4
95
Nov 14, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed employee cooking no changing gloves as needed, change activity, no glove ch or hands washed. **Warning**
12A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed peppers and lemons inside hand was sink. Employee removed items from inside hand wash sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. No proof of certification or certified manager for establishment. **Warning**
53A-01-7
Basic - Employee eating while preparing food. Observed cook eating while preparing food. **Warning**
12B-01-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed Cook no hair restraint while cooking. **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed a case of potato fries stored on the kitchen floor. Employee stored box with pot fries inside reach in cooler away from the floor. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed frozen chicken thawing at rooms temperature inside 3 compartment sink. Employee open-cold water faucet to let it run on top of frozen chicken. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
06-01-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed cleaning towel on top of prep table. **Warning**
21-12-4
55
Jun 13, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
55
Oct 13, 2022
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Cotorra Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Cotorra Cafe on file is from Apr 20, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Cotorra Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at La Cotorra Cafe.
How does La Cotorra Cafe compare to other restaurants in Hialeah?
La Cotorra Cafe most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Hialeah average of 76.
Has La Cotorra Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at La Cotorra Cafe have averaged around eight violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at La Cotorra Cafe 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 Cotorra Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Cotorra Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.
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