La Fiesta Mexican Cocina
Last inspected: Jan 20, 2026
11
Score
La Fiesta Mexican Cocina appears in inspection records 11 times, starting in 2023. On Jan 20, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. High risk indicates the latest inspection turned up problems worth knowing about.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around five violations to closer to 18 violations.
Across the inspection history, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded five times.
The city-wide average sits at 78, which La Fiesta Mexican Cocina's 11 doesn't quite reach. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.
11
Inspections
5
Critical latest
7
Major latest
15
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 20, 2026
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 7 major violations. 15 minor violations.
View 27 violations
High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Employee entered kitchen from outside, put on gloves and began handling food on cook line. Manager had employee change gloves and wash hands. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-16-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Shell eggs stored over cooked veggies in walk-in cooler. Manager moved eggs to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee handled raw shrimp and proceeded to handle clean to go container without washing hands and changing gloves. Manager had employee change gloves and wash hands. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-09-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Items stored in walk-in cooler: chicken (45F - Cold Holding); rice (44F - Cold Holding). Items are stored close to door and manager stated door open quite a bit during the day. Manager moved items farther back in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottles of bleach stored next to clean containers on shelf across from three compartment sink. Manager moved containers to another shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Shelves for cook line reach-in freezer soiled with old food debris. Cutting board on reach-in cooler across from cook line stained. Lid for wait station ice bin. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand washing sink next to kitchen ice machine blocked by rolling cooler. **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Container stored in wait station hand washing sink. Manager removed container during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No quaternary test kit available.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at dish area hand washing sink. **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. No probe thermometer available.
05-08-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle of cleaner stored in dish area. **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Shelves throughout the kitchen.
14-45-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table next to cook line. **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee energy drinks and milk stored in wait station reach-in cooler with restaurant food.
08B-49-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee apron stored on top of bags of flour on kitchen prep table.
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Containers stored on shelf across from three compartment sink. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored in a prohibited area. Cases of beer stored in restroom across from bar.
08B-37-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Case of cooking oil stored on cook line floor. Case of seafood medley stored on walk-in freezer floor. Containers of fish and chicken stored on walk-in cooler floor. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice bucket/shovel stored on floor between uses. Ice bucket stored on floor next to wait station soda machine. **Repeat Violation**
10-14-5
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Ice scoop stored on top of old refrigerator next to kitchen ice machine.
10-12-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs hanging on cook line oven handle. Employee placed tongs on top of grill. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Walk-in cooler fan covers dusty. Area around wait station soda nozzles soiled with old food debris. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Dumpster behind building.
33-16-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. To go containers stored on kitchen shelf.
25-06-4
Basic - Soiled floors/carpeting. Floor in walk-in freezer soiled with old food debris.
36-10-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Back stored in cook line reach-in freezer. Steaks and chicken stored in walk-in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
11
Sep 19, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Sep 10, 2025
Routine - Food
8 critical violations. 5 major violations. 13 minor violations.
View 26 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dish machine next to three compartment sink, 0 ppm. **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Employee cracked eggs and proceeded to touch clean plate without changing gloves and washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands and change gloves.
12A-27-4
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Employee using three compartment sink with no sanitizer, quaternary ammonium 0 ppm.
22-45-4
High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Three compartment sink next to dish machine, 0 ppm.
22-43-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Shell eggs stored over cooked onions in walk-in cooler. Manager moved eggs to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Flan stored in wait station reach-in cooler dated 9/3.
01B-24-5
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee drinking water and proceeded to prepare tacos without washing hands and changing gloves. Manager had employee wash hands and change gloves.
12A-09-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Item stored in kitchen steam table: queso (108F - Hot Holding). Manager stated queso placed in steam table one hour prior to temperature being taken. Manager had employee reheat queso. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Blade of can opener on kitchen prep table. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Rolling cart blocking hand washing sink in back of kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Container stored in wait station hand washing sink. Employee removed container during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels, hand soap and hand washing sign at hand washing sinks throughout the kitchen.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle of degreaser stored in dish area.
41-17-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl used to scoop sugar from container stored on bottom shelf of prep table. Manager removed bowl during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Shelves on cook line.
14-45-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee bottle of water stored on kitchen prep table. Employee removed bottle of water during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Employee eating in dish area. Employee stopped eating in kitchen during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone stored on shelf with clean pans in dish area.
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans stored on shelf across from three compartment sink. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Case of cooking oil stored on cook line floor. Pan of tamales and bag of ice stored on walk-in freezer floor. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice bucket/shovel stored on floor between uses. Ice bucket stored on floor in wait station.
10-14-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Reach-in freezer located in wait station. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fan covers in walk-in cooler. Hood vents above cook line. Walk-in cooler gasket.
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. To go containers stored on kitchen shelf. Manager turned containers over. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Pork and chicken stored in walk-in freezer.
08B-12-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of sugar stored in wait station.
02D-01-5
10
Apr 21, 2025
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Apr 18, 2025
Complaint Full
3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw shelled eggs stored over cilantro and salsa buckets
08A-04-5
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Two live roaches by the back kitchen door **Warning**
35A-05-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Beef at steam table at 115F, Manager advised that beef had been there for 90 minutes. Manager had beef reheated to 165F
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwash sink at back of kitchen by back door blocked by equipment
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Handwash sink at server station had two straws in the sink, the handwash sink at the entrance of the kitchen had a sanitizer bucket in the sink
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. two containers of salsa with no date mark prepared over 24 hours earlier
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on flip-top make table with mold like substance in the grooves in kitchen.
22-02-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting board on flip-top make table in kitchen with grooves with black stains.
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean stacked Equipment ( plastic bins )not properly air-dried, and stored wet on clean ware rack resulting in wet nesting.
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Container of beef and Chicken on floor of walk-in-freezer
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup up on floor of walk-in-freezer
14-69-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs stored on oven door handle.
10-20-4
Basic - Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Exterior back door to kitchen does not have a self closing mechanism
35B-03-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth stored on prep table.
21-12-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Three dead roaches by the handwash sink by the back door.
35A-03-4
29
Aug 13, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dishmachine at 0ppm Cl **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-13: Dishmachine at 0ppm Cl **Admin Complaint**
22-41-4
86
Jul 29, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 12 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
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
19
Jan 18, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed box of raw shelled eggs stored above pineapples and cut leafy greens in walk-in-cooler . **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed employee wearing gloves touch their face and then proceed to wash their hands while still wearing gloves. Employee did not remove gloves to wash their hands and put on a clean set of gloves. Discussed with Manager and advised employee how to properly wash their hands. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-09-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed container of tomato sauce dated nine days earlier inn walk-in-cooler
01B-13-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed microwave on cookline next to flip-top make table cooler soiled with grease and food on the inside and outside. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand wash sink sink at server station blocked by a chair. Employee removed chair. Observed lemon in hand wash sink next to stream Bain. Manager removed lemon from hand wash sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed establishment does not have chemical test strips for dishmachine or three-compartment sink **Repeat Violation**
16-37-1
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed container of beef in reach in flip-top make table cooler uncovered. Employee placed a cover on container **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed wet mop not in use stored in mop sink.
42-01-4
Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Observed sanitizer bucket stored on floor by server station.
21-38-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed employee on cookline eating chips. Observed employee coffee on prep table which prepping Chicken. **Repeat Violation**
12B-02-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed equipment not properly air-dried, and stored wet on clean ware rack resulting in wet nesting. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored in a location that is exposed to splash/dust. Observed hand wash sink by steam Bain with food hot holding in kitchen susceptible to splash from hand wash sink.
08B-36-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed plastic container of oil on floor on kitchen. Manager placed container on shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed two holes in wall in mop room.
36-24-5
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed standing water in bottom of flip-top make table cooler on cook line.
29-49-6
30
Sep 18, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 11, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 17 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed nonfood-grade t-shirt bag used in direct contact with food(tortillas). Employee placed tortillas in aluminum tray **Corrected On-Site**
14-31-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed box of eggs stored above sauces in walk-in-cooler . Employee moved eggs to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed not test strips available at establishment
16-37-1
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. Observed person in charge provided No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. **Warning**
53B-01-5
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. Observed person in charge at 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. Inspector provided vomitting and diarrhea procedure.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed food-contact surface of commercial can opener soiled with food debris, mold-like substance.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand wash sink by server station and one in kitchen blocked by equipment
31A-09-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed Bowl or container with no handle used to dispense food (Horchata, sugar)
14-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink bottle stored on top of flip-top make table cooler. Manager removed drink **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed equipment not properly air-dried, and stored wet on clean ware rack resulting in wet nesting.
24-08-4
Basic - Ice bucket not stored inverted or in a protected mannerbetween uses. Observed ice bucket used to transport ice not stored inverted or in a protected manner by ice machine. Manaager inverted ice buckets **Corrected On-Site**
10-14-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs stored on oven door handle. manager removed tongs **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food ( sugar )
10-01-5
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels not removed from food containers after cleaning on the clean ware rack.
16-46-4
Basic - Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Observed produce ( avocado ) located in flip-top make table with produce stickers still on produce.
08B-39-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Observed unwashed produce (mangos ) stored over ready-to-eat food (Horchata ) in reach in cooler
08B-17-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed working container of food removed ( sugar, Horchata ) from original container not identified by common name.
02D-01-5
27
Jan 6, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Fiesta Mexican Cocina last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Fiesta Mexican Cocina on file is from Jan 20, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Fiesta Mexican Cocina?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at La Fiesta Mexican Cocina.
How does La Fiesta Mexican Cocina compare to other restaurants in Ocala?
La Fiesta Mexican Cocina most recently scored 11 out of 100, which is lower than the Ocala average of 78.
Has La Fiesta Mexican Cocina's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at La Fiesta Mexican Cocina have averaged around 18 violations per visit, up from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at La Fiesta Mexican Cocina means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is La Fiesta Mexican Cocina inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Fiesta Mexican Cocina is inspected around four times per year on average.
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