La Fonda Restaurant
Last inspected: Feb 4, 2026
67
Score
Public records show 12 inspections at La Fonda Restaurant stretching back to 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Feb 4, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near five violations each time.
The pattern that stands out is “stored food not covered”, which has been cited two times.
The city-wide average sits at 80, which La Fonda Restaurant's 67 doesn't quite reach. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
12
Inspections
0
Critical latest
3
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 4, 2026
Routine - Food
3 major violations.
View 3 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
67
Oct 2, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
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. Observed 2 new employees with no proof of their health responsibilities information. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-02: **Time Extended**
11-26-1
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed no proof of training for 3 employees engaging in food preparation . **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-02: **Time Extended**
53B-13-5
82
Oct 1, 2025
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
18
May 12, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
May 1, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 7 minor violations.
View 10 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. -Observed sanitizer at dishwashing machine at 00ppm. **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. -Observed raw chicken stored over raw pork in reach in cooler. Operator removed chicken to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. -Observed employee cracked raw shell eggs and then touch clean plates without changing gloves and wash hands. After brief education, employee then changed gloves and wash hands. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12A-27-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. -Observed several in-use tongs stored on oven door. . Operator removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
10-20-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. -Observed accumulation of old food residues buildup inside reach in freezer. **Warning**
22-16-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. -Observed an uncovered container with cooked rice stored in reach in freezer. Operator covered. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-12-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed beef thawing at room temperature at 43F. **Warning**
06-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. -Observed employee drinking water stored on in-use food preparation table next to food items. **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. In dishwashing area. **Warning**
36-22-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. -Observed container with cooking oil stored on kitchen floor. **Warning**
08B-38-4
45
Feb 6, 2025
Complaint Full
3 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
55
Jan 23, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. -Observed raw beef stored over dressing and cooked pork in McCall refrigerator. Operator relocate raw beef to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. -Observed precooked pork and raw beef cold held at 44F in true refrigeration. Per operator, both items transfer to unit 3.5 hours prior to the inspection. Advice operator to placed ice packs on items for quick chilled.
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. -Observed employee wash his hands in 3 compartments since and then continue to engaged in food preparation.
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Observed no transfer date on cooked pork removed from freezer yesterday.
02C-04-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. -Observed an unlabeled spray bottle with degreaser at coolkine. Operator labeled bottle **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
55
Oct 31, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
64
Aug 29, 2024
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw chorizo, beef, and chicken, in reach in cooler, above ready to eat onions, carrots, cabbage. Operator relocated to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Employee washed hands with no soap. Observed line cook wash hands with no soap.
12A-20-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink at cook line **Repeat Violation**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Operator provided. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed multiple containers, cooked beef, chicken soup, beans, etc. with no date marks. Per operator all more than 24 hours.
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-14-5
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in multiple cold holding units.
05-09-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at front counter hand sink, used by food employees.
31B-04-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed stored food cold holding with no cover. Observed cooked beef, chicken, with no lids. Operator provided. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
43
May 1, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Beef (45- Cold Holding); chicken (44F - Cold Holding); pork (45F - Cold Holding) in refrigerator drawers. Per operator, all items transfer from reach in cooler to cookline drawer 1.5 hours prior to the inspection. Operator placed ice packs on items for quick chill. after 50 minutes, all items temps at 4o-43F **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed peas hot holding at cookline at 124F. Per operator, peas cooked 2 hours before the inspection. Operator reheat peas to 183F. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed bananas stored inside hand wash sink in kitchen. Operator removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No chlorine chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. **Repeat Violation**
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink in kitchen. Operator replenished. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink in kitchen.
31B-03-4
Basic - Faucet/handle missing at plumbing fixture. Observed faucet handle at hand wash sink in disrepairs.
29-09-4
Basic - Food stored on floor . Observed cases with food items stored on kitchen floor.
08B-38-4
45
Feb 21, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
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 not date marked, as per manager, item was cooked more than 24 hours previously. Manager date marked. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar, manager labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. In sugar. Manager removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
70
Dec 15, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. At front counter, pork (105-125F - Hot Holding). Item in steam table less than 30 minutes. Item reheating to 165°F to hot hold. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Fonda Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Fonda Restaurant on file is from Feb 4, 2026. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Fonda Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “stored food not covered” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at La Fonda Restaurant.
How does La Fonda Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Fort Lauderdale?
La Fonda Restaurant most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Fort Lauderdale average of 80.
Has La Fonda Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at La Fonda Restaurant have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at La Fonda 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 Fonda Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Fonda Restaurant is inspected around four times per year on average.
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