Mama's Latin Cafe
Last inspected: Jan 12, 2026
82
Score
Mama's Latin Cafe has been inspected nine times since 2023. On Jan 12, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near four violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “time/temperature control for safety food” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
Compared to the broader Fort Lauderdale restaurant scene, this is about average. The record reflects steady performance over time.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 12, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed plastic cup stored inside front counter hand wash sink. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed kitchen chest freezer gasket and freezer exterior soiled with grease residue.
23-03-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed unlabeled container of sugar stored at front counter.
02D-01-5
82
Jul 2, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. 1. Observed guava and cheese pastry (121 F - Hot Holding) inside pastry box at front counter. Per employee, food left out of temperature for approximately 30 minutes; foods are held on time without proper time as a public health control procedure. Educated employee on proper hot holding and time as a public health control procedure; provided procedures to operator. 2. Observed chorizo (121F - Hot Holding) on shelf above stove top at cook line. Per employee, food left out of temperature for approximately one hour; per operator, foods are being held on time without proper time as a public health control procedure. Educated employee on proper procedure and hot holding; provided procedures to operator. Operator put food on stove top to reheat to 165F and begin time process. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Toxic substance/chemical on premise that is not required for the operation of establishment. Observed Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 200ppm) at front counter . Employee remade and corrected to 50ppm; **Corrected On-Site**
41-04-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. 1. Observed build up of grease residue on oven handle and fridge doors in kitchen . 2. Observed accumulation of mold like substance on the door frame of fridge door inside kitchen .
23-24-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed build up of ice and food debris on bottom interior of reach in freezer in kitchen.
14-69-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed Bread container uncovered at dish rack . Operator covered the bread container . **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
67
Feb 11, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef stored above plantains inside reach in cooler, in kitchen. Operator properly stored. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Probe thermometer not accurate within plus or minus 2 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed probe thermometer +10 degrees F above temperature. Operator calibrated thermometer. **Corrected On-Site**
05-06-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed deep cut marks on red cutting board stored inside kitchen.
14-09-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloths stored in detergent and sanitizer mixed together. Observed wet wiping cloth stored inside chlorine sanitizer bucket at front counter. Employee discarded and remade chlorine sanitizer. **Corrected On-Site**
21-03-4
70
Oct 1, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed at mop sink. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-01: Same **Time Extended**
29-42-4
86
Sep 30, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed at mop sink. **Warning**
29-42-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at front display case - guava and cheese pastry (116F - Hot Holding); ham croquette (107F - Hot Holding) as per operator items held out of temperature for approximately 90 minutes. Operator raised the case temperature. Additionally observed on stove in kitchen - cooked chorizo (97F - Hot Holding) as per operator item held out of temperature for approximately an hour. Operator turned stove back on. **Warning**
03B-01-6
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed at main grill. **Warning**
10-20-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed at reach in cooler across from main grill. Operator removed and stored properly. **Warning**
12B-13-4
Basic - Soiled dry wiping cloth in use. Observed on preparation table across from steam table. Operator stored correctly. **Warning**
21-10-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Plastic bottles of water stored directly on the floor at front near the chest freezer. Operator stored correctly.
08B-38-4
61
Feb 22, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed several bottles of medicine above prep table and pantry area. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Observed operator crack eggs put on grill and proceeded to prepare ready to eat foods, no handwashing. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-27-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw prepared breaded steaks over ready to eat empanadas in reach-in freezer. Operator moved. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Observed shelled eggs at 56F at cook line. As per operator, out for 60 min at 9:25AM. Operator placed in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-03-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink next to espresso cups in front area. 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. Observed employee cell phone above prep table at kitchen prep area. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed breaded steak in freezer not protected. Operator covered. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet in use wiping cloth on counted at front area. Operator placed in sanitizer bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
45
Sep 27, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed grilled onions (110°F - Hot Holding) at cook line. Per operator, food out of temperature for approximately 1 hour. Operator turned stove on to reheat to 165°F or above.
03B-01-6
86
Apr 6, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at reach in cooler, raw marinated chicken (49°F - 51°F - Cold Holding). Per operator, food not prepped or portioned today; stored in cooler overnight. Stop sale.
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw shrimp, not commercially packaged, stored over French fries, not commercially packaged, in chest freezer in kitchen. Operator removed and properly stored. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-02-6
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. Observed at reach in cooler, raw marinated chicken (49°F - 51°F - Cold Holding). Per operator, food not prepped or portioned today; stored in cooler overnight. Stop sale.
01B-02-5
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Observed ham croquetas and empanadas kept on time; operator does not have Time as a Public Health control form. Emailed Time as a Public Health Control procedures to operator. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-10-5
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.
11-27-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed in kitchen, salt bin not labeled. Operator labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
50
Jan 6, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Mama's Latin Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Mama's Latin Cafe on file is from Jan 12, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Mama's Latin Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Mama's Latin Cafe.
How does Mama's Latin Cafe compare to other restaurants in Fort Lauderdale?
Mama's Latin Cafe most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is about the same as the Fort Lauderdale average of 80.
Has Mama's Latin Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Mama's Latin Cafe have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Mama's Latin Cafe means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Mama's Latin Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Mama's Latin Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.
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