La Esquina Caribena Restaurant
Last inspected: Jan 9, 2026
58
Score
La Esquina Caribena Restaurant has been inspected nine times since 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Jan 9, 2026. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near four violations per visit across recent inspections.
“Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing seven times across the record.
Compared to other Opa-Locka restaurants (averaging 78), there's room to close the gap. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
9
Inspections
3
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 9, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 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. Raw chicken not separated from raw beef and raw pork.
08A-17-6
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Observed beef, and chicken date marked for more than 7 days. Employee change the date marked.
02C-01-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed a hose connected to a faucet without vacuum breaker.
29-34-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Broken floor tiles in kitchen area.
36-17-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Food debris inside microwave.
22-08-4
58
Jul 14, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked food items held for more than 24/hrs without date marked inside walk in cooler and reach in cooler. Employee put date marked inside walk. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine soiled.
22-20-5
Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Employee drinking from an open container in kitchen area.
12B-12-5
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Bag with sugar under rage front counter. PIC put it on top of the shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-47-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Grease inside oven.
22-08-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.walk in cooler shelves soiled.
14-17-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Mop on the floor.
42-01-4
67
Feb 7, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Inside men's restroom. PIC provided it. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Token floor tiles in Kitchen area.
36-17-5
86
Sep 17, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Hose connected to faucet without vacuum breaker.
29-34-4
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. Chicken, pork and beef not separated from each other cording with minimum cooking temperature.
08A-17-6
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Oven soiled.
22-08-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Pipe leaking under handwashing sink.
29-11-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth on top of the preparation table. Chef put it inside sanitizer bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
64
Apr 30, 2024
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Food debris inside oven - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-30: On 4/30/2024 at the time of the callback inspection food debris inside oven. **Time Extended**
22-08-4
95
Feb 19, 2024
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 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. Poster was provided to operator. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked: chicken, beans held for more than 24/hrs without date marked inside walk in cooler.
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-05-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Food debris inside oven
22-08-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid.
33-16-4
67
Aug 24, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
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
Feb 20, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 6 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. Poster was provided to operator
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. Form was provided to operator
11-26-1
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board.
21-04-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Food debris inside oven.
22-08-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Pipe leaking under hand washing sink.
29-11-4
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
32-12-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Broken tiles throughout the kitchen
36-17-5
61
Jul 12, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed hose connected to faucet without vacuum breaker **Repeat Violation**
29-34-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup inside reach in freezer **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Food debris inside oven **Repeat Violation**
22-08-4
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Esquina Caribena Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Esquina Caribena Restaurant on file is from Jan 9, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Esquina Caribena Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “interior of oven/microwave has accumulation” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at La Esquina Caribena Restaurant.
How does La Esquina Caribena Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Opa-Locka?
La Esquina Caribena Restaurant most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Opa-Locka average of 78.
Has La Esquina Caribena Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at La Esquina Caribena Restaurant have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at La Esquina Caribena Restaurant 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 Esquina Caribena Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Esquina Caribena Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
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