La Espirituana Cafeteria
Last inspected: Sep 16, 2025
67
Score
Going back to 2022, La Espirituana Cafeteria has 10 inspections in the public record. The most recent report on file is from Sep 16, 2025. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near seven violations per visit.
The pattern that stands out is “ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair”, which has been cited three times.
Restaurants in Hialeah average 76, so La Espirituana Cafeteria trails the local norm. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 16, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed bucket inside hand wash sink. Employee removed bucket from inside hand sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed inside men bathroom. Operator placed soap on hand sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Exhaust system operated with filters removed. No means to capture grease and/or condensation to prevent dripping.
14-72-4
Basic - Self-closing device on bathroom door disconnected/broken. Observed on women bathroom.
32-17-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. **Repeat Violation**
42-01-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed white cutting board grooved at kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
67
Dec 17, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : 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. Observed raw chicken stored over raw pork in walk in freezer. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-17: Still observed raw chicken stored over raw pork in walk in freezer. **Time Extended**
08A-17-6
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed personal water bottle stored on preparation table in the kitchen area. Operator discarded the water bottle. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-17: **Time Extended**
40-06-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-17: **Time Extended**
42-01-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed on preparation table in kitchen area. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-17: Still observed **Time Extended**
21-12-4
74
Dec 16, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
27
Jul 15, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
78
Jul 12, 2024
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw fish on top of cooked pork inside reach in cooler across from oven. Chef stored product properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee change task, also touched eye glasses, no glove change, or hand washing before engaging in food preparation observed . Manager coached employee on proper hand washing and glove use. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12A-09-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed inside reach in cooler at kitchen, ground beef (50F- Cold Holding) according to the chef placed in unit the night before around 9 pm. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed inside reach in cooler at kitchen , chef stated all foods are from 2 hours ago, unit constantly open and closed during lunch rush, raw chicken (45F - Cold Holding); raw fish (55F - Cooling); raw steak (45F- Cold Holding); sliced ham (44F - Cold Holding); cooked pork (51F - Cold Holding); Chef removed product and stored in inside walk in freezer for rapid chill. Also ground beef (50F- Cold Holding) from the day before, advise chef to discard cooked ground beef. **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed no backflow attached to hose under handwashing sink next to fryer station. **Repeat Violation**
29-34-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed hole in the ceiling in dry storage area. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-32-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee handling food without a hair restraint. **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed kitchen hood filterssoiled with grease . **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. Observed cooking utensils inside metal containers not inverted next to preparation table, employee washed and inverted during inspection. **Warning**
24-18-4
Basic - Soiled dry wiping cloth in use. Observed at kitchen used to remove hot pots and pans, soiled towels in use. **Warning**
21-10-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet wiping cloth kitchen prep table not being stored inside sanitized bucket. **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
35
Mar 12, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed cooked rice stored in thank you bag. Employee replaced bag with a food grade bag during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
14-31-5
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 health employees reporting agreement to manager, he printed and reviewed with employees at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed plastic container inside hand wash sink at kitchen. Employee moved container out of hand sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed hole on the wall across walk in cooler.
36-24-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no sign at women bathroom.
31B-04-4
64
Aug 18, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
74
Aug 4, 2023
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 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. Observed no clean up written instructions for vomiting and diarrhea events available. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
11-27-4
Intermediate - No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine. Observed no measuring device available for high temperature dish machine. **Warning**
16-62-1
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. Observed no proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibilities related health and to foodborne illnesses. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed inside reach in cooler at kitchen containers with cooked chicken and cooked pork according to cook prepared the day before not date labeled. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to ceiling. Observed hole in ceiling inside utility sink closet. **Warning**
36-24-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing water inside walk in cooler and hallway. **Warning**
36-22-4
Basic - Bathroom facility in disrepair. Observed toilet seat missing in the ladies room. **Warning**
32-05-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling tiles with water damaged In dining area. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-32-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed AC vents soiled with mold in dining area. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-34-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed walk in cooler frame in disrepair. **Warning**
14-11-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed one wet cloth not stored in solution under cutting machine. **Warning**
21-12-4
47
Mar 6, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 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.
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.
11-26-1
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked pork, and cooked chicken according to chef prepared two days ago, no date marked.
02C-02-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed at storage area wall in disrepair.
36-24-5
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board.
21-04-4
Basic - Light not functioning. Observed at dining area.
36-62-4
61
Jul 19, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed raw beef stored inside a thank you bag in the walk in freezer. - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-19: At the time of the callback inspection observed raw beef stored inside a thank you bag in the walk in freezer. **Time Extended**
14-31-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-19: At the time of the callback inspection observed walk in cooler shelves rusted. **Time Extended**
14-17-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Located in the kitchen area. - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-19: At the time of the callback inspection observed kitchen wall soiled by the standing cooler. **Time Extended**
36-27-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Located on top of prep table in the kitchen area. - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-19: **Time Extended**
21-12-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Located by the dining area. - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-19: At the time of the callback inspection observed ceiling tile with watermark by the dining area. **Time Extended**
36-32-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-19: **Time Extended**
23-24-4
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Espirituana Cafeteria last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Espirituana Cafeteria on file is from Sep 16, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Espirituana Cafeteria?
Across the inspection record, “ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at La Espirituana Cafeteria.
How does La Espirituana Cafeteria compare to other restaurants in Hialeah?
La Espirituana Cafeteria most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Hialeah average of 76.
Has La Espirituana Cafeteria's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at La Espirituana Cafeteria have averaged around seven violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at La Espirituana Cafeteria 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 Espirituana Cafeteria inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Espirituana Cafeteria is inspected around three times per year on average.
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