La Isla Cafeteria
Last inspected: Mar 19, 2026
47
Score
Inspectors have visited La Isla Cafeteria eight times, with records going back to 2022. On Mar 19, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around 10 violations each.
Across the inspection history, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.
The city-wide average sits at 74, which La Isla Cafeteria's 47 doesn't quite reach. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.
8
Inspections
1
Critical latest
4
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 19, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed beef over shrimp inside reach in cooler. Operator placed in proper order onsite. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled cutting board on prep table.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed plastic container inside handwashing sink. Operator removed onsite. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Operator provided soap onsite. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked beans inside reach in freezer with no date marking. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled gaskets on reach in coolers. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Repeat Violation**
14-33-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed soiled walls throughout kitchen area. **Repeat Violation**
36-27-5
47
Jul 10, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw beef over raw pork inside reach in cooler in kitchen area.
08A-20-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed an open bag of detergent next to a container of beans on rack in front of 3 compartment sink. Employee removed detergent and placed it in proper location. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked beans and cooked Chicharrones inside reach in freezer with no date marking. As per employee, food has been there for way more than 24 hours.
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Clams/mussels/oysters tag removed from original container prior to container being emptied.
01C-10-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed plastic container inside hand sink next to the 3 compartment sink. Employee removed container onsite. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed soiled walls throughout kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-27-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed multiple containers with sauces/liquid in them and no labels throughout kitchen area.
02D-01-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed soiled handles on reach in cooler in kitchen area. Employee cleaned the handles onsite. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
23-24-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting boards with excessive cut marks at front counter and kitchen prep area.
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed gaskets in disrepair in reach in freezer by kitchen entrance.
14-11-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed soiled interior of microwave at kitchen area.
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled gaskets in reach in cooler and reach in freezer in establishment.
23-03-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed employee water bottle inside reach in cooler in kitchen area behind the products.
12B-13-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed interior of reach in cooler soiled with food debris. **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-33-4
33
Nov 21, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
55
Jul 1, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
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
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
39
Mar 12, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. -tested 0ppm, employee added more chlorine, retested 50ppm **Corrected On-Site**
22-42-4
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. -multiple employees failed to wash hands prior to putting on gloves, operator educated employees, employees removed gloves, washed hands, replaced gloves **Corrected On-Site**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Clam tags not marked with last date served. **Repeat Violation**
01C-03-4
Intermediate - Establishment not maintaining clam tags for 90 days.
01C-02-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris. -white cutting boards stained throughout the kitchen -inside of microwave has an accumulation of grease and food debris
22-02-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. -employee bottled water stored on top of ice machine, employee removed **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. -employee purse on shelf above empty food containers, operator relocated -employee apron laying on top of cans of coconut milk, operator relocated
40-06-5
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. -employee wearing watch while preparing food, operator educated employee, employee removed watch **Corrected On-Site**
13-07-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. -white chest freezer in kitchen -tall white reach-in freezer at entrance of kitchen
14-69-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available.
51-18-6
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -outside of microwave has an accumulation of grease and food debris -exterior of reach-in cooler doors and gaskets have an accumulation of grease and food debris
23-03-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. -wall around handwash sink in kitchen have an accumulation of grease and food debris
36-27-5
39
Oct 26, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food.
12A-07-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed by the mop sink.
29-34-4
Intermediate - Clam tags not marked with last date served. **Repeat Violation**
01C-03-4
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. Form provided via email. **Corrective Action Taken**
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 provided read by staff and signed. **Corrected On-Site**
11-26-1
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed 3 packages with salmon in the reach in cooler. The internal temperature was 35°F. I explained the process and the manager cut the corner of the bags. **Corrected On-Site**
06-09-1
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed the upright freezer door handle not secured to the freezer. Observed the reach in cooler gasket torn.
14-11-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer,
14-69-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed in the ice machine. The manager moved the scoop with handle above the ice. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed plastic squeeze bottles not labeled at the cook line.
02D-01-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed throughout the establishment.
36-37-5
41
Mar 1, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw chicken stored with cooked chicken. Operator separated raw from cooked chicken and has been informed to reheat to a minimum temperature of 165F
08A-02-6
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served.
01C-03-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets torn
14-11-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood vents soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in freezer interior have accumulation of soil residues.
22-16-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed squeeze bottles of oil with no label.
02D-01-5
64
Jul 1, 2022
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed employee touch cooked tortillas with bare hands
09-01-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw shell eggs stored next to tortilla dough. Operator moved eggs to separate shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at prep table cut tomatoes (46F - Cold Holding); in reach in cooler in kitchen area raw chicken (46F - Cold Holding), as per operator tomatoes were cut at approximately 11:00 am today the chicken was prepared at approximately 9:30 am today operator moved tomatoes and chicken to reach in freezer for rapid chill. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine over 200ppm), operator discarded sanitizer solution **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed water at hand wash sink at front counter temperature 85F for 3 minutes.
27-16-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed salt scoop with no handle on storage rack next to three compartment sink. Operator removed scoop **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling above steam table in kitchen area has holes in ceiling.
36-32-5
Basic - Cloth used as a food-contact surface. Observed tortillas stored in towel. Operator removed towel **Corrected On-Site**
21-05-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee purse stored next to vinegar on stove rack next to three compartment sink. Operator removed purse. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
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 sugar scoop handle touching sugar. Operator lifted handle **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Observed hood system soiled
36-50-4
35
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Isla Cafeteria last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Isla Cafeteria on file is from Mar 19, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Isla Cafeteria?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at La Isla Cafeteria.
How does La Isla Cafeteria compare to other restaurants in Miami?
La Isla Cafeteria most recently scored 47 out of 100, which is lower than the Miami average of 74.
Has La Isla Cafeteria's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at La Isla Cafeteria have averaged around 10 violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at La Isla Cafeteria 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 Isla Cafeteria inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Isla Cafeteria is inspected around two times per year on average.
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