La Valentina Mexican Restaurant
Last inspected: May 13, 2025
58
Score
Across the available record, La Valentina Mexican Restaurant has seven inspections on file, the first dated 2023. La Valentina Mexican Restaurant was last inspected on May 13, 2025. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around 12 violations lately and about 14 violations before that.
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
The city-wide average sits at 78, which La Valentina Mexican Restaurant's 58 doesn't quite reach. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
11
Minor latest
Inspection History
May 13, 2025
Routine - Food
11 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Basic - Bowl with no handle used to dispense rice. Operator removed the bowl. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. In walk-in cooler; tomatoes container stored on floor.
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use tong stored on equipment door handle between uses at cook line. Operator removed tong. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Multiple ceiling tile shows damage throughout kitchen.
36-32-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Interior of hood soiled with grease.
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service food containers not stored inverted or protected from contamination next to ice machine. Operator stored inverted. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - Storage of maintenance equipment/tools in areas that may result in cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens and/or single-service and single-use articles. Multiple tools stored over oil containers near by cook line. Operator removed tools. **Corrected On-Site**
42-03-5
Basic - Stored salt not covered at dry storage.
08B-12-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease behind cooking equipments at cook line.
36-27-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Salt container not labeled at dry storage.
02D-01-5
58
Feb 27, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
29
Oct 22, 2024
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. In walk-in cooler cooked beans (58F - Cooling) overnight per operator. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03D-02-5
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. One #10 can white queso in dry storage rack in back of kitchen heavily dented. **Warning**
01B-01-4
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. In reach-in cooler cook line, raw chicken over raw beef. Operator placed chicken on lower shelf for proper food storage. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In walk-in cooler cooked beans (47F - Cold Holding); cut tomatoes salsa (45F - Cold Holding); cooked beef (47F - Cold Holding); sour cream (47F - Cold Holding); cooked tomatoes sauce (51F - Cold Holding); cooked green tomatoes jalapenos (53F - Cold Holding); mozzarella (49F - Cold Holding); cooked pork (48F - Cold Holding); raw shell eggs (50F ambient - Cold Holding); cooked chorizo (49F - Cold Holding) stored overnight per operator. Also Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. In walk-in cooler cooked beans (58F - Cooling) overnight per operator. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In walk-in cooler cooked beans (47F - Cold Holding); cut tomatoes salsa (45F - Cold Holding); cooked beef (47F - Cold Holding); sour cream (47F - Cold Holding); cooked tomatoes sauce (51F - Cold Holding); cooked green tomatoes jalapenos (53F - Cold Holding); mozzarella (49F - Cold Holding); cooked pork (48F - Cold Holding); raw shell eggs (50F ambient - Cold Holding); cooked chorizo (49F - Cold Holding) stored overnight per operator. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Ambient air thermometer in holding unit not accurate within plus or minus 3 degrees Fahrenheit. Walk-in cooler thermometer reading 36F, ambient temperature is 50F. **Warning**
05-05-4
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. **Warning**
03D-15-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. All foods in walk-in cooler not date marked, multiple per operator stored between 1 and 4 days. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Grease and food accumulated under cook line equipment. Dry storage area shelf's with food debris underneath. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-73-4
Basic - Floors not constructed to be easily cleanable around drains in kitchen. **Warning**
36-12-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bagged onions on floor dry storage area. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer. Tall white reach-in freezer in back of kitchen with heavy buildup. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Shelving by dish sink with accumulated debris. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Old food stuck to clean dishware/utensils by triple sink. **Warning**
16-48-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Some ceiling tiles throughout kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-37-5
Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing throughout kitchen. **Warning**
36-03-4
23
Apr 17, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 12 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
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
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
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Insects, Rodents, and Animals Not Present
FL-38
19
Dec 28, 2023
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed
FL-27
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
55
Mar 28, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 15 minor violations.
View 22 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Salsa 54F cold hold, raw beef 55F cold hold, sour cream 55F cold hood less than 4 hours. Operator double panned time/temperature control for safety foods with ice. Observed Sauce 53F cold hold, tamales 52F cold hold, Mexican cheese 50F cold hold in walk in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw shell eggs stored over vegetables in walk in cooler. Educated operator on importance of proper separation of raw animal foods. Operator placed raw shell eggs on bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08A-04-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed precooked foods/sauces/soups in walk in cooler not date marked. Educated operator on importance of date marking. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
02C-02-5
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. **Warning**
11-26-1
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. **Warning**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink does not have enough water pressure to properly wash hands. Front service hand wash sink. **Warning**
27-19-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand wash sink at cook line used to thaw packaged raw beef. Operator removed raw beef. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-11-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-08-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-20-4
Basic - Accumulation of gray-like substance in the interior of the ice dispensing chute. **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense salsa. **Warning**
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed acoustic ceiling tiles in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-37-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-32-5
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employee prepping food wear bracelets and rings. **Warning**
13-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not washed, rinsed and sanitized in the correct order in three-compartment sink. Do not use dishes/equipment not properly sanitized. Observed wash and rinse together. **Warning**
16-13-5
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed bag of onions stored on floor in back dry storage. **Warning**
08B-47-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris on outside of reach in cooler near back kitchen exit and on outside of cooking equipment and hood filters. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. **Warning**
12B-13-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Reach in cooler at cook line. **Warning**
29-49-6
Basic - Stored food not covered in walk in cooler. Soups/sauces. **Warning**
08B-12-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed packaged frozen raw beef thawing in hand wash sink at cook line. **Warning**
06-01-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease/gray-like substance around mop sink and behind food prep table. **Warning**
36-27-5
21
Jan 13, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
33
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Valentina Mexican Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Valentina Mexican Restaurant on file is from May 13, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Valentina Mexican Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at La Valentina Mexican Restaurant.
How does La Valentina Mexican Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Lehigh Acres?
La Valentina Mexican Restaurant most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Lehigh Acres average of 78.
Has La Valentina Mexican Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at La Valentina Mexican Restaurant have averaged around 12 violations per visit, down from roughly 14 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at La Valentina Mexican 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 Valentina Mexican Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Valentina Mexican Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
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