Los Avina Mexican Restaurant
Last inspected: Apr 27, 2026
50
Score
Public records show eight inspections at Los Avina Mexican Restaurant stretching back to 2022. Los Avina Mexican Restaurant was last inspected on Apr 27, 2026. A high risk rating points to multiple serious findings at the most recent inspection.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around 10 violations, down from roughly 12 violations earlier in the record.
Looking across the full record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” is the recurring theme, flagged six times.
By comparison, the average Chiefland facility scores 72, putting Los Avina Mexican Restaurant on the weaker side. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.
8
Inspections
2
Critical latest
3
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 27, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. On rolling cart at cookline: steak (54F - Cold Holding). Employee stated the steak has been held at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes and added ice to begin cooling the steak to 41F. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Evidence of mop/cleaning wastewater dumped onto ground. Evidence of grey water dumped on ground behind establishment.
28-14-5
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 Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association food handler certificate expired on 04/08/2025.
53B-14-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Employee at front counter dumped and filled a bucket into the handwash sink.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Pans containing cooked chicken and cooked beef missing date marks on shelf inside walk-in cooler. Manager stated both items were cooked two days prior and added the proper date marks during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. Trash and discarded building materials on ground around dumpster. **Repeat Violation**
33-19-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Handles of large chip bin in back of kitchen soiled with food debris. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
50
Sep 30, 2025
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Aerosol can containing "WD-40" stored directly on top of case of beer in kitchen, near walk-in cooler. Manager removed chemical from top of beer during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. On rolling cart at cookline: raw beef (48F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (54F - Cold Holding). Employee stated the chicken and beef have been held outside of refrigeration at cookline for approximately one hour. Inspector had employee add ice to both items to rapidly cool to 41F.
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Pan containing raw beef stored on shelf directly above open pan containing sauce inside reach-in cooler at cookline. Employee moved the raw beef to the bottom shelf during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Raw shrimp stored inside grocery bag inside reach-in freezer near cookline. Employee placed shrimp in a food grade container during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
14-31-5
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee at cookline handled raw chicken with gloved hand, changed glove without first washing hands, then continued to handle food and equipment at cookline. Inspector had employee wash hands and put on new gloves before continuing to work at cookline. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Deflector plate inside ice machine soiled with brown substance. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Metal bowl without handle stored down inside bin of rice in dry storage area.
14-01-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bag of rice stored directly on floor in dry storage area. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. Trash scattered on ground around dumpster inside enclosure. **Repeat Violation**
33-19-4
Basic - Grease receptacle lid open, broken, or missing. Lid of grease receptacle left open.
33-29-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. 1. Exterior of lids on rice and beans bins in dry storage area soiled with black substance. 2. Hood filters above grill soiled with grease.
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Lid of dumpster left open. **Repeat Violation**
33-16-4
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. 1. Wall in dry storage room near ice machine soiled with dust. 2. Several air vents on ceiling soiled with dust in kitchen.
36-50-4
30
Feb 4, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw frozen beef removed from original packaging and wrapped in plastic stored on shelf directly above bag of frozen fries inside reach-in freezer near fryers. Employee removed the raw beef from over fries during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. 1. Bottom shelf on interior of reach-in cooler at cookline soiled with food debris. 2. Bottom edge of deflector plate inside ice machine soiled with brown substance. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No towels at handwash sink near three-compartment sink. Employee replenished towels during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. One employee, Jimmy Sanchez, working at cookline without proof of food handler training. Mr. Sanchez signed the employee health reporting agreement on 03/04/2024 and was present during the last inspection.
53B-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. Three new employees in kitchen without proof they have been informed of their health reporting responsibilities. Inspector witnessed two of the three employees handling food and the third employee stated she does help prep food.
11-26-1
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Ceiling tile missing in back of kitchen near mop sink.
36-36-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. One co2 tank not secured beside ice machine.
51-11-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. 1. Frying oil stored directly on floor in kitchen at cookline. 2. Pans containing raw chicken and onions stored directly on floor inside walk-in cooler.
08B-38-4
Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. Trash scattered on ground around dumpster.
33-19-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Dumpster lids left open behind building.
33-16-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink cup stored directly on top of meat grinder in back of kitchen. Employee removed drink from area during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
43
Oct 14, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw Steak over raw shrimp in walk-in-cooler. Employee placed steak with other beef. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ice deflector in ice machine has build up of mold like substance/slime. Food-contact surface of commercial can opener soiled with food debris, mold-like substance.
22-02-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Wet mop not in use stored in wringing device.
42-01-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Single service aluminum take out trays or inverted or protected
25-06-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Two by four behind hand wash sink in dishwash area area and clothesline clips used for receipts are made of wood and are not smooth and easily cleanable.
14-47-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Build up in reach in freezer **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Carbon dioxide tanks not adequately secured in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
51-11-4
61
Mar 4, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Two bottles of lotion on shelf beside fountain soda box on shelf in dry storage area. Manager removed lotions from shelf during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
41-10-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. On rolling cart at cookline: shrimp (68F - Cold Holding). Manager stated the raw shrimp has been stored on cart for approximately 30 minutes and placed ice on shrimp to aid in cooling to 41F. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Open container of raw chicken on shelf above raw beef inside reach-in freezer at cookline. Manager moved raw chicken to the bottom shelf during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Open pan of raw beef stored on shelf above container of salsa inside reach-in cooler in front of kitchen near cookline. Employee moved raw beef to the bottom shelf during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
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. One new employee working in kitchen putting away truck who has not signed the employee health reporting agreement. Inspector provided manager a new copy during this inspection. **Repeat Violation**
11-26-1
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Three co2 tanks not secured in dry storage area in back of kitchen.
51-11-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Ice bucket not inverted on top of ice machine in kitchen. Manager inverted ice bucket during this inspection.
24-05-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Deep cut marks in cutting board at cookline. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Heavy ice buildup on shelving inside reach-in freezer at cookline. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters above grill soiled with grease. Outside of lids on chip storage bins soiled with grease. Outside of grill and fryers heavily soiled with grease. Shelf below grill soiled with food debris. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Frozen shrimp thawing in standing water in prep sink in back of kitchen. Manager turned on cool running water during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Air vents throughout kitchen soiled with dust. Wall near microwave in front of kitchen soiled with dust. **Repeat Violation**
36-50-4
35
Nov 6, 2023
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 5 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 18 violations
High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Employee entered the kitchen from the seating area and scooped ice without washing hands. Inspector had employee wash hands before continuing to work with food.
12A-16-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Pan of raw pork stored above salsa inside reach-in cooler near cookline. Manager moved pork to the bottom shelf during this inspection. Pan of raw beef stored on top of frozen fries inside reach-in freezer near cookline. Manager rearranged freezer during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Two ROP packages of tilapia thawed inside ROP packaging with instructions to remove fish from packaging before thawing.
01B-13-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In steam table near cookline: queso cheese (100F - Hot Holding). Queso was stored in metal pan sitting up above the safe storage line of the steam table. Manager stated it was stored this way to prevent the cheese from burning. Inspector explained that it must be held hot at a minimum of 136F and had manager begin reheating the cheese to 165F. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Six cans of spray paint and a bag of douse poison on shelf beside cans of tomatoes in dry storage area. Manager discarded all chemicals during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Employee with artificial nails/nail polish working with exposed food without wearing intact gloves. Employee scooped ice with painted nails without wearing gloves. Inspector had employee put on gloves before continuing to scoop ice.
13-06-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board near cookline heavily stained.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Ice cream scoop stored inside handwash sink at front counter. Employee removed scoop from sink during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Chlorine test kit expired in 2018.
16-37-1
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. One employee hired approximately one month prior working with food who has not signed the employee health reporting agreement. Inspector provided a new copy of the health reporting agreement to manager during this inspection. **Repeat Violation**
11-26-1
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Heavy ice buildup on reach-in freezer shelves near cookline. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall above prep table and prep sink in back of kitchen soiled with food debris.
36-27-5
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Dumpster lid left open in enclosure behind building. Manager closed lid during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
33-16-4
Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. Cardboard and broken glass on ground in enclosure around dumpster behind building.
33-19-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood vents above grill dripping with grease. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting board at make-table near cookline heavily scored.
14-09-4
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. Two ROP packages of tilapia thawed inside ROP packaging with instructions to remove fish from packaging before thawing. Stop sale issued.
06-09-1
Basic - Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Handheld bug zapper stored on prep table in kitchen beside meat grinder. Manager discarded zapper during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
35B-02-4
19
Feb 27, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bleach stored on shelf beside cans of tomato sauce on bottom shelf of rack in dry storage area. Manager moved cans of sauce to another shelf during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
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. None available. Inspector provided during this inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Dishes stored inside handsink near front counter. Employee removed dishes from sink during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Five employees working without a CFM present. **Repeat Violation**
53A-05-6
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. None available. Inspector provided during this inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl without handle used as scoop inside bucket of seasoning on lower shelf of prep table at cookline. Manager removed bowl from seasoning during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee croissants on top of containers of sour cream and diced tomatoes on shelf inside walk-in cooler. Manager removed croissants from shelf during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone and purse on prep table near back door above clean pans. Manager had employee remove phone and purse from table during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup inside reach-in freezer in kitchen near fryers.
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Ceiling fan inside kitchen over prep table heavily soiled with grease and dust. Ceiling ve **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Wet mop stored down inside mop bucket near three-compartment sink. Manager hung mop to dry in the mop sink during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
42-01-4
43
Aug 23, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired on 6/1/2022 **Admin Complaint**
50-17-2
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 to wash hands. Manager had employee wash hands. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-16-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on reach-in cooler in front pass through window. Blade of can opener on kitchen prep table. Slicer on kitchen prep table. Ice chute of dining room soda machine. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand washing sink in wait station used as a dump sink. Dishes stored in hand washing sink in front of three compartment sink.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/. Five employees working with no certified food manager present during inspection.
53A-05-6
Basic - Food stored on floor. Cooking oil stored on floor in kitchen. Manager placed cooking oil on shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Vents above grill greasy. Walk-in cooler gasket. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Containers stored over three compartment sink. **Repeat Violation**
16-46-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Manager closed lid. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
33-16-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Mop stored in mop bucket next to dish area hand washing sink.
42-01-4
43
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Los Avina Mexican Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Los Avina Mexican Restaurant on file is from Apr 27, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Los Avina Mexican Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Los Avina Mexican Restaurant.
How does Los Avina Mexican Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Chiefland?
Los Avina Mexican Restaurant most recently scored 50 out of 100, which is lower than the Chiefland average of 72.
Has Los Avina Mexican Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Los Avina Mexican Restaurant have averaged around 10 violations per visit, down from roughly 12 earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Los Avina 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 Los Avina Mexican Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Los Avina Mexican Restaurant is inspected around two times per year on average.
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