Lupitas Taqueria
Last inspected: Mar 10, 2026
41
Score
The health department has logged eight inspections at Lupitas Taqueria, the earliest from 2022. Lupitas Taqueria was last inspected on Mar 10, 2026. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around six violations per visit versus roughly one violation earlier in the record.
“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
That's lower than the typical Ocala restaurant, which scores around 78. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.
8
Inspections
1
Critical latest
6
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 10, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 6 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Item stored in reach-in cooler across from cook line grill: cheese (46F - Cold Holding). Manager stated cheese placed in cooler one hour prior to temperature being taken. Manager placed ice on cheese to reduce temperature to 41F. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
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 written procedure available. Inspector provided written procedure to operator. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
11-27-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chlorine test kit available. **Repeat Violation**
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels available at hand washing sink next to three compartment sink. Employee provided towels at hand washing sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. No probe thermometer available.
05-08-4
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. One employee employed since November of 2025 does not have employee food safety training.
53B-13-5
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 employee certificate expired on 8/3/2025
53B-14-5
Basic - Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Cardboard lining shelf next to back door.
14-45-4
Basic - Mobile food dispensing vehicle license number not permanently affixed on the side of the unit in figures at least 2 inches high and in contrasting colors from the background of the vehicle. No license number provided on side of truck. **Repeat Violation**
50-04-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Shelves inside of reach-in cooler across from cook line grill soiled with old food debris.
22-16-4
41
Oct 3, 2025
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee handled raw beef and proceeded to handle to go container without changing gloves and washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands, change gloves and use a new to go container. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-09-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef stored above cheese in reach- in cooler across from cook line. Manager moved beef to reach-in freezer to be properly stored. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found Observed two flies in kitchen area.
35A-02-7
High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Paper towel on top of parsley in reach-I cooler across from three compartment sink. Manager removed paper towel during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
14-86-1
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Item stored in reach-in cooler across from three compartment sink: beef (50F - Cold Holding). Manager stated beef place in cooler at 11:00 am. Manager moved beef to reach-in freezer to reduce the temperature to 41F. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
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 written procedure available. Inspector provided operator with written procedure. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No quaternary test kit available.
16-37-1
Basic - Mobile food dispensing vehicle license number not permanently affixed on the side of the unit in figures at least 2 inches high and in contrasting colors from the background of the vehicle. No 2 inch numbers on exterior of vehicle.
50-04-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Cracked drawer in reach-in cooler across from cook line.
14-11-5
35
Oct 26, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Oct 25, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - No color/concentration comparison chart available for chemical test kit used to check sanitizer. No chemical test strip chart for Cl.
16-36-4
Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Reach-in cooler (prep table) disconnected, time temperature control for safety (TCS) food in ice bath. Also vertical reach-in cooler with a ambient temperature of 70F. **Warning**
14-74-7
86
Oct 23, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 5, 2023
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Mobile food dispensing vehicle license number not permanently affixed on the side of the unit in figures at least 2 inches high and in contrasting colors from the background of the vehicle. Observed Mobile food dispensing vehicle license number not permanently affixed on the side of the unit in figures at least 2 inches high and in contrasting colors from the background of the vehicle. **Repeat Violation**
50-04-4
95
May 22, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations.
View 4 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
64
Dec 9, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cut lettuce 57F, cut tomato 52F in the flip top reach-in cooler. These were moved to the freezer and dropped to 51 and 44 in 10 minutes. These were then kept in the freezer. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed motor oil stored over hand wash sink. This was moved below. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 3 flying insects in the food prep area. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
35A-02-6
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. Observed Marco, over 60 days, no employee training on the truck.
53B-02-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed 3 employee drinks stored over tortilla wraps. **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Observed the exterior door is not self closing, flying insects inside. ALSO, the screens were not in use. The screens were then used during the inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
35B-03-4
52
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Lupitas Taqueria last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Lupitas Taqueria on file is from Mar 10, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Lupitas Taqueria?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Lupitas Taqueria.
How does Lupitas Taqueria compare to other restaurants in Ocala?
Lupitas Taqueria most recently scored 41 out of 100, which is lower than the Ocala average of 78.
Has Lupitas Taqueria's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Lupitas Taqueria have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Lupitas Taqueria 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 Lupitas Taqueria inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Lupitas Taqueria is inspected around two times per year on average.
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