La Ventanita
Last inspected: Apr 9, 2026
64
Score
La Ventanita has been inspected 10 times since 2022. On Apr 9, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around four violations, down from roughly six violations earlier in the record.
“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
Restaurants in West Palm Beach average 79, so La Ventanita trails the local norm. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
10
Inspections
3
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 9, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee handled paper money and coin change while collecting customer payment then handled clean equipment, clean utensils and unwrapped single service cups, lids and food storage/service containers without washing hands. Operator discussed with employee who then washed hands. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-29-4
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee entered kitchen from dining room/common area, donned gloves and began preparing beverages for customers without washing hands. Operator discussed with employee who then washed hands and changed gloves. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-07-5
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within 2 hours. At reach in cooler; cooked rice (80F - Cooling 2:20). Operator stated cooked rice cooling since 11:00am in full, tightly closed plastic ziplock portion bag, did not reach 70F within 2 hour, began reheating item to 165F to start cooling process again during which the cooked rice to be cooled from 135F-70F within 2 hours. **Corrective Action Taken**
03D-01-5
64
Jan 30, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Approximately 10 live, small flying insects found in kitchen on wall behind juicing machine. Advised Operator to eliminate live, small flying insects, clean/sanitize area. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-30: Approximately 10 live, small flying insects found in kitchen on wall behind juicing machine. Advised Operator to eliminate live, small flying insects, clean/sanitize area. **Admin Complaint**
35A-02-7
86
Jan 29, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Approximately 10 live, small flying insects found in kitchen on wall behind juicing machine. Advised Operator to eliminate live, small flying insects, clean/sanitize area. **Admin Complaint**
35A-02-7
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 and began preparing food for customers without washing hands. Operator discussed with employee who then washed hands. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12A-16-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At front counter; horchata with milk (56F - Cold Holding). Operator stated not prepared or portioned today, held at room temperature for less than 4 hours, added ice, second temperature 39F. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Throughout kitchen cases/bags/pans of various produce stored on floor. Advised Operator to properly store food at least 6" off floor. **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Hand washing sink leaking from drain under cabinet. Advised Operator to repair. **Warning**
29-08-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Throughout establishment. **Warning**
36-73-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Storage shelves soiled. **Warning**
23-03-4
52
Oct 18, 2024
Routine - Food
8 critical violations. 4 major violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within 2 hours. At Kitchen; cooked beans (132F - Cooling)since 12pm @2:14pm Item held in large closed container See Stop Sale
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At Front Counter; horchata (58F - Cold Holding) Per operator held for two hours on counter. Advised operator who moved to cooler **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within 2 hours. At Kitchen; cooked beans (132F - Cooling)since 12pm @2:14pm Item held in large closed container See Stop Sale
03D-01-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. At Front counter showcase warmer; chicken empanadas (105F - Hot Holding); beef empanadas (106F - Hot Holding) Advised operator to reheat to 165+F Operator started reheating process **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Employee washed hands with no soap. Employee handled raw beef then washed hands without soap and handled clean utensil Advised operator Employee washed hands with soap **Corrected On-Site**
12A-20-4
High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. At Reach in Cooler; Cut lettuce stored in non food grade bags Advised operator who removed **Corrected On-Site**
14-15-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. At Reach in Cooler; Raw portioned chicken stored above dough Advised operator who removed **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. At Reach in Cooler; Raw portioned chicken above raw portioned shrimp Advised operator who removed **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge failed to notify the division of employee diagnosed with Norovirus, Hepatitis A, Shigella spp., Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, Typhoid fever (caused by Salmonella Typhi) or Salmonella (nontyphoidal). Emailed poster
11-01-5
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed hands at triple sink Advised operator Employee washed hands at handwashing sink **Corrected On-Site**
12A-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. Emailed poster
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Handwash sink had pot holders and pan stored in it Operator removed **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
20
May 29, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-29: 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. Employee (food handler) working longer than 6 months, no proof of required state approved training provided. **Admin Complaint**
53B-01-5
90
Mar 28, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 major violations.
View 6 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
52
Oct 25, 2023
Routine - Food
5 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Employee provided soap. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-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. Emailed one
11-27-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. For chlorine
16-37-1
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
05-08-4
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. Server working 30 days no food employee reporting agreement. Emailed one.
11-26-1
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Male employee handling food without any hair restraint for loose head hair. Explained
13-03-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bag of white onions and box of oil stored on floor under the table.
08B-38-4
55
Feb 22, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Feb 17, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored in same container as ready-to-eat food...raw chicken with cooked chicken in flip top reach in cooler . Employee properly stored food. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-08-5
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...horchata 70° at front counter being held more than 4 hours . **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit...horchata 70° at front counter being held more than 4 hours . Stop sale issue . Employee discarded food...rice 51°, cooked chicken 51°, cheese 55° storing top of other containers at flip top reach in cooler being held less than 4 hours . Employee discarded food. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing...containers stored in Handwashing sink , employee moved . **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-11-4
58
Sep 21, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Ventanita last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Ventanita on file is from Apr 9, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Ventanita?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at La Ventanita.
How does La Ventanita compare to other restaurants in West Palm Beach?
La Ventanita most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the West Palm Beach average of 79.
Has La Ventanita's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at La Ventanita have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at La Ventanita 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 Ventanita inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Ventanita is inspected around three times per year on average.
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