La Hacienda III Mexican Restaurant
Last inspected: Mar 25, 2026
50
Score
The health department has logged eight inspections at La Hacienda III Mexican Restaurant, the earliest from 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Mar 25, 2026. A high risk rating points to multiple serious findings at the most recent inspection.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near 10 violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “food stored on floor” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded five times.
The city-wide average sits at 75, which La Hacienda III Mexican Restaurant's 50 doesn't quite reach. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.
8
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 25, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In the walk in cooler, container of raw shell eggs stored over ready to eat tamale mixture and ready to eat shredded cheese. Operator relocated the raw shell eggs. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
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. Birria in walk in cooler previously frozen missing product date marking from day prepared previous week and missing date marking for date placed under refrigeration.
02C-04-5
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. One food handling employee present at time of inspection with expired food handler training from 9/2025.
53B-14-5
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 clean linen on cutting board of cook line. Operator relocated. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Chest freezer in dry storage/prep area with torn door gasket and ice buildup up up in seal.
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Dry storage door held open by box of liquid butter stored on the floor. Operator relocated the liquid butter. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Grease and debris build up on cook line hood filters. Reach in chest freezer door gasket with debris build up. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Dumpster lid open, operator closed the lid. **Corrected On-Site**
33-16-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water at base of flip top reach in cooler on the cook line.
29-49-6
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. On dry storage shelf, clean plastic containers stacked while wet.
24-08-4
50
Jul 31, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Employee switched from working with raw food to ready-to-eat food without washing hands. Observed employee on cook line utilizing gloved hands handle raw bacon, raw beef then handle clean utensils and plate ready to eat food without washing hands. Discussed with operator. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-12-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found. Observed live fly on cook line over steam table.
35A-02-7
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. In walk in freezer plastic bag of raw chicken over sealed raw beef. Operator relocated storage locations. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
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. No bodily fluid clean up kit or written procedures available. Inspector provided written procedures. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
11-27-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. In reach in freezer and in walk in cooler employee personal food stored over food for customers.
08B-49-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Jugs of fryer oil on the floor of storage room, operator relocated. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Build up of ice on seal of chest freezer and in walk in freezer under compressor. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Chest freezer door gasket soiled. Bar counter soda dispenser has mold like substance on plate under lemonade dispenser. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Old food stuck to clean dishware/utensils. Old food on container in dry storage prep room. Operator removed to dish area to be rewashed. **Corrected On-Site**
16-48-4
45
Jan 29, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In the reach in chest freezer, opened bag of raw ground beef patties over commercially packaged shrimp. Operator relocated the beef patties. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Queso (66F - Cold Holding) in container on top of reach in freezer, operator had employee reheat queso for steam well. At the bar counter, salsa (56F - Cold Holding) per operator left hour on counter for half hour, operator placed in walk in cooler. Discussed time as public health control with operator. Operator states will use ice bath. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Portable cutting board in prep area with dood residue staining.
22-02-4
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. Queso per operator frozen after being prepared date marked 1/22 and pulled from freezer 2 days prior.
02C-04-5
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. No bodily fluid clean up kit or written procedures available. Inspector provided written procedures. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
11-27-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Food debris staining on ceiling closest the dish area.
36-34-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. In the dry storage area, employee jacket stored over products for customers.
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. In the storage shelf of the prep area, clean plastic and metal containers stacked while wet. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. In the dry storage area, lard for cooking stored in the floor. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Build up of ice on walk in freezer door, preventing good seal.
14-69-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. In the dish area, two knives between wall and three compartment sink.
10-17-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in freezer door gaskets with build up or debris/residue. Grease build up on cook line hood filters/fire suppression system. Per operator cleaning already scheduled. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
39
Jul 31, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
50
Dec 15, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed one fly by the trash can area closest to the dish machine.
35A-02-6
High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. By the exterior door, ortho home defense and real kill pesticide spray on shelf. Discussed with operator. **Corrective Action Taken**
41-05-4
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Chlorine dish machine at 0ppm during inspection. Operator replaced sanitizer bucket with full bucket and primed machine to 200ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
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. No bodily fluid clean up kit or written procedures available. Inspector provided written procedures. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled chemical spray bottle of sanitizer at the front bar counter. Employee labeled the chemical spray bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Carbon dioxide tanks in exterior storage shed not secured. Operator has called to have someone remove the tanks. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
51-11-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. On the shelves of the prep area, clean containers stacked while wet.
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Two cases of meat stored on the floor of the walk in freezer. Operator relocated the cases. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Build up of ice in walk in freezer around door seal and shelf.
14-69-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Wiping cloth under in use cutting board in the prep area. Operator removed the wiping cloth. **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Bar counter soda dispenser has soda syrup residue build up on the underside of the dispense behind the nozzles.
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Dumpster lid open during inspection.
33-16-4
37
Jul 5, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. In reach in freezer raw chicken no longer commercially packaged stored over raw shrimp. Person in charge moved to appropriate location. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened/prepared, frozen and then thawed and held at refrigeration temperature not properly date marked. Birria with date mark 6/10, person in charge was removed from freezer 2 days ago, not redate marked. Person in charge marked appropriately. Also, cooked meat in walk in cooler cooked Monday with no date mark. **Corrective Action Taken**
02C-08-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Container stored in hand wash sink in kitchen. Rag stored in hand wash sink at front line. Person in charge removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. CO2 tanks unsecured in mop sink area at back of restaurant. **Repeat Violation**
51-11-4
Basic - Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Observed tape on handles of strainers in kitchen.
14-71-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed employee eating in ware washing area. Also observed employee drinks with no lids in prep area. Person in charge removed. **Corrective Action Taken**
12B-02-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bag in box soda stored on floor in closet by restrooms. Person in charge raised. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar at front line unlabeled. Person in charge labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
55
Nov 7, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
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. Beef in walk in cooler not re- date marked after thawing from freezer. **Repeat Violation**
02C-04-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. CO2 tanks in kitchen unchained.
51-11-4
Basic - Dumpster rusted out on bottom. Dumpster rusted out, missing drain plug. Person in charge states has called City multiple times. States they have a work order in. **Corrective Action Taken**
33-12-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. In walk in cooler employee personal food stored alongside, above items to be served to customers.
08B-49-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters with debris buildup.
23-03-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Spinach thawing at room temperature, person in charge moved to reach in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
70
Sep 7, 2022
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Hacienda III Mexican Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Hacienda III Mexican Restaurant on file is from Mar 25, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Hacienda III Mexican Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “food stored on floor” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at La Hacienda III Mexican Restaurant.
How does La Hacienda III Mexican Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Palatka?
La Hacienda III Mexican Restaurant most recently scored 50 out of 100, which is lower than the Palatka average of 75.
Has La Hacienda III Mexican Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at La Hacienda III Mexican Restaurant have averaged around 10 violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at La Hacienda III Mexican Restaurant 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 Hacienda III Mexican Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Hacienda III Mexican Restaurant is inspected around two times per year on average.
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