La Cubanita Cafe
Last inspected: Jan 14, 2026
64
Score
Inspectors have visited La Cubanita Cafe eight times, with records going back to 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Jan 14, 2026. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near seven violations each time.
When inspectors have written things up, “accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.
That's lower than the typical Brandon restaurant, which scores around 82. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
8
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 14, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Operator discussed with employee **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-27-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowls used to scoop bulk seasoning blend. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Acoustic tiles in kitchen
36-37-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bag of onions on the floor in walk in cooler. Operator placed on shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Foil 1/2 pans on shelf in prep area not inverted. Operator inverted. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
64
Jul 21, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw beef stored with unwashed carrots and potatoes n walk in cooler. Operator placed produce on higher shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken stored over cooked beans in walk in cooler. Operator placed chicken on lower shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Blocked by mop bucket. Operator moved mop bucket **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl used to scoop cooked potatoes in reach in cooler.
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Acoustic ceiling tiles in kitchen.
36-37-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Bottle of juice on prep table by slicer. Water bottles on prep table near flip top cooler and slicer. Operator removed items. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone on prep table by slicer. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer.
14-69-4
50
Feb 14, 2025
Routine - Food
8 minor violations.
View 8 violations
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
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
67
Oct 7, 2024
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed debris buildup on can opener.
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee water bottles on front counter. Employee removed bottles **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed buildup of grease and food debris between, behind and under equipment on cookline.
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed cases of drinks stored on floor in prep area. Operator placed drinks on shelf. Observed bucket of beef base on floor in prep area. Employee placed bucket on shelf **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed buildup of grease on hood filters.
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed to go containers on steam table not inverted. Employee inverted **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
25-06-4
67
Mar 7, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
67
Nov 7, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Chicken thawing in middle hand Sinkmoved **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Back of kitchen
36-32-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Several damaged through out kitchen
36-34-5
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Togo containers not inverted, several places through out kitchen
25-06-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Thawing chicken in middle hand sink Put in walk in cooler **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
06-01-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. On cutting board
21-12-4
67
Apr 3, 2023
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 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. Emailed to operator
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed chicken thawing in the hand sink dish area Corrected-observed employee remove and place in walk-in cooler **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
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. Emailed to operator
11-26-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed missing at hand sink at coffee make station Corrected-observed employee replace **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed black mold inside ice machine adjacent to steam table
22-20-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink stored on prep table Corrected -observed employee remove **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed in all reachin freezers throughout kitchen
14-69-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed chicken thawing the hand sink at room temperature Corrected-observed employee remove and place in walk-in cooler **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
55
Oct 20, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Cubanita Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Cubanita Cafe on file is from Jan 14, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Cubanita Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at La Cubanita Cafe.
How does La Cubanita Cafe compare to other restaurants in Brandon?
La Cubanita Cafe most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Brandon average of 82.
Has La Cubanita Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at La Cubanita Cafe have averaged around seven violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at La Cubanita 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 Cubanita Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Cubanita Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.
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