La Escondida
Last inspected: Feb 18, 2026
61
Score
Public records show 11 inspections at La Escondida stretching back to 2022. The most recent report on file is from Feb 18, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around seven violations to closer to four violations per visit over the last few inspections.
The city-wide average sits at 73, which La Escondida's 61 doesn't quite reach. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
11
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 18, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
61
Aug 5, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
45
Feb 12, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Feb 6, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
29
Sep 3, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
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. Establishment has one employee other than manager. No proof of training for employee, Lilliana G, hired in April. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-03: Person in charge states training has not been done and has notified both owners. **Admin Complaint**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. No proof available. Provided and discussed with person in charge DBPR Form HR 5030-103. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-03: Person in charge states not completed and has notified both owners. **Admin Complaint**
11-26-1
82
Jul 2, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
39
Jan 29, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In reach in freezer, opened raw chicken wings stored over unsealed shrimp and whole unsealed fish stored over ready-to-eat sauces. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-17-6
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Unwrapped tamales stored in grocery bags in reach in cooler. Multiple grocery bags with unwrapped chicken and produce items in reach in freezer.
14-31-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels in men's room.
31B-02-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Both lids to the dumpster are open.
33-16-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Raw chicken, turkey and whole fish are not covered in reach in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Garbage not placed in a receptacle for storage until pick up to make the garbage inaccessible to insects and rodents. Two shopping carts outside back exit containing boxes and bagged trash.
33-09-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Tongs for raw chicken in reach in cooler have the handle laying in the raw chicken.
10-06-5
55
Aug 17, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
58
May 16, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Mar 23, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Menu item, Papas de La Casa, includes raw shell egg(any style) and is not indicated on menu. Consumer advisory not present. Also, operator has oyster advisory displayed. Correct sign located and posted. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-03-23: Operator has begun to update menus. Process not completed at time of inspection. **Time Extended**
02B-01-5
90
Oct 17, 2022
Food-Licensing Inspection
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Escondida last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Escondida on file is from Feb 18, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
How does La Escondida compare to other restaurants in Orange Park?
La Escondida most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Orange Park average of 73.
Has La Escondida's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at La Escondida have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at La Escondida 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 Escondida inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Escondida is inspected around three times per year on average.
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