La Escalerita Cafeteria Restaurant
Last inspected: Oct 21, 2025
90
Score
Across the available record, La Escalerita Cafeteria Restaurant has seven inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Oct 21, 2025. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around two violations, down from roughly nine violations earlier in the record.
Looking across the full record, “no handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used” is the recurring theme, flagged four times.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Sweetwater restaurant scores 63. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 21, 2025
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed at men's room. **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Operator inverted. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
42-01-4
90
Apr 8, 2025
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed at employee restroom. Operator posted sign. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
90
Aug 14, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored over bread inside reach in cooler at front counter. Employee properly arranged products by cooking tempetures. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed at front counter. Employee placed the handle upwards. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
82
May 1, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Nonfood-grade basting brush used in food. Observed at coffee station.
14-14-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed microwave interior soiled.
22-08-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed on both restrooms.
31B-04-4
82
Feb 28, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired on 10/01/2023. Manager renewed license during inspection. Confimation number 237499847. **Corrected On-Site**
50-17-3
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed milk expired on 2/23/24 inside reach in cooler at front counter. Manager discarded the milk **Corrected On-Site**
01B-13-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed raw beef (47F - Cold Holding); raw beef steak (47F - Cold Holding); inside reach in cooler at kitchen. As per manager from overnight.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed raw beef (47F - Cold Holding); raw beef steak (47F - Cold Holding); inside reach in cooler at kitchen. As per manager from overnight.
03A-02-5
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. Discussed and provided to manager via email. **Repeat Violation**
11-27-4
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. Discussed and provided to manager via email.
11-26-1
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed no proof of employee training for Edmundo, Miguel both hired for more than 60 days.
53B-02-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Repeat Violation**
50-09-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
35B-01-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster.
33-11-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed at hand wash at next to triple sink. Also on men and women restroom
31B-04-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid.
33-16-4
32
Mar 14, 2023
Routine - Food
5 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed degreaser spray bottle not labeled with common name. Employee labeled during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
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. Provided form during inspection.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed clean cutting board inside hand wash sink in kitchen area.
31A-11-4
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. Provided form during inspection.
11-26-1
Intermediate - Nonfood-grade basting brush used in food. Observed in coffee machine.
14-14-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Employee start clearing during inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-20-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed in front counter. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
22-08-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed Togo containers not inverted in kitchen area.
25-06-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed sugar container not labeled with common name in front counter. Employee labeled during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
45
Aug 8, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed empanadas (123F - Hot Holding); tequenos (120F - Hot Holding) employee reheated at 165° F at the time of the inspection.
03B-01-6
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed in front hand wash sink. Employee provided during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed on front hand wash sink. Employee provided during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed degreaser spray bottle not labeled with common name. Employee labeled during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed white cutting board in front counter. Employee discarded during inspection.
14-09-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed plastic water bottle stored in front counter. Employee rearranged properly during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed in front counter. Employee rearranged properly during inspection.
10-08-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed in front counter.
21-12-4
52
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Escalerita Cafeteria Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Escalerita Cafeteria Restaurant on file is from Oct 21, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Escalerita Cafeteria Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “no handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at La Escalerita Cafeteria Restaurant.
How does La Escalerita Cafeteria Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Sweetwater?
La Escalerita Cafeteria Restaurant most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Sweetwater average of 63.
Has La Escalerita Cafeteria Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at La Escalerita Cafeteria Restaurant have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly nine earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at La Escalerita Cafeteria Restaurant means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is La Escalerita Cafeteria Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Escalerita Cafeteria Restaurant is inspected around two times per year on average.
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