Mambos Cuban Express
Last inspected: Apr 20, 2026
55
Score
Across the available record, Mambos Cuban Express has nine inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Apr 20, 2026. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around seven violations lately compared to roughly three violations before.
When inspectors have written things up, “equipment in poor repair” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.
Mambos Cuban Express' latest score of 55 falls below the Jacksonville average of 74. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 20, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed Vacuum breaker missing from non chemical side of splitter at mop sink. Vacuum breaker installed before splitter on faucet at mop sink. Operator stated he will get with ecolab to remove it. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
29-42-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at hand wash sink in women's restroom. Operator replenished paper towels. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed blade of can opener at prep table soiled.
22-02-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed gaskets on reach-in cooler next to grill in disrepair. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed cup without handle used to dispense sugar in prep area. Operator removed cup. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employees personal belongings stored next to single use spoons and on can goods in dry food storage. Operator removed backpack and phone to properly store. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gasket on walk-in-cooler soiled. Also, shelf under grill has accumulation of debris. Also, door frame of large ice machine soiled. Also, faucet handles on hand wash sink at front service line soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observed Sanitizer Bucket (Quaternary 0ppm) at front service line and in prep area. Operator dumped both buckets. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
21-08-4
55
Nov 18, 2025
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. Vacuum breaker missing from non chemical side of splitter at mop sink. Observed backflow before splitter. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
29-42-4
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed multiple buckets of sanitizer stored next to bucket of chips below grill and next to single service sleeves of to go cups and lids below table of food warmer. Also, spray can containing toxic substance stored next to container of oil below computer stand. Operator removed sanitizer buckets and cleaner to properly store. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean stacked pans on storage shelf next to triple sink unable to properly air dry
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed gaskets on reach-in cooler next to fryers torn.
14-11-5
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Observed unwashed onions stored over ready to eat vegetables in walk-in-cooler
08B-17-4
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observed sanitizer Bucket (Quaternary 0ppm) at front service line. Operator remade solution and retested at 200ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
21-08-4
61
Apr 16, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. cooked chicken, cooked goat (97F-119F - Hot Holding) in steam table at front counter. Operator reheated both meats to more than 165F and placed back in steam table. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
29-42-4
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. Two employees missing proof of food safety training.
53B-13-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup up on floor under shelving in walk in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Multiple bags of meat thawing are stored in standing water in bucket in triple sink. Operator placed running water on meats to thaw. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Sanitizer bucket at front service line stored directly on floor. Operator placed another bucket underneath. **Corrected On-Site**
21-38-4
58
Nov 14, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
64
Jun 10, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Apr 9, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
64
Sep 20, 2023
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed in reach in cooler on service line raw chicken stored over cooked chicken wings. Manager removed pan and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed goat meat at 122F hot holding at the end of cook line sitting on top of steam well. Manager pulled meat and reheated to 202F. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed interior of ice machine soiled with mold-like substance near ice chute of unit.
22-20-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed air vents in walk-in cooler dusty.
23-03-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
64
May 2, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed door gasket torn on flip top cooler across from display steam table.
14-11-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed walk-in cooler door gasket soiled. Observed walk-in freezer door gasket soiled.
23-03-4
90
Nov 9, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed one flying insect near office in back room.
35A-02-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soda station in dining area to be soiled around nozzles. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
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. Observed some food certificates missing and one expired at inspection. **Repeat Violation**
53B-13-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed multiple employee drinks stored on prep table in middle of kitchen and on prep table near dish machine and at hand sink at entrance of kitchen. Manager removed and stored properly. **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 phone stored on top of prep table across from dish machine. Observed employee back pack stored on food dry storage rack.
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler on cook line to have torn drawer gaskets .
14-11-5
61
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Mambos Cuban Express last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Mambos Cuban Express on file is from Apr 20, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Mambos Cuban Express?
Across the inspection record, “equipment in poor repair” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Mambos Cuban Express.
How does Mambos Cuban Express compare to other restaurants in Jacksonville?
Mambos Cuban Express most recently scored 55 out of 100, which is lower than the Jacksonville average of 74.
Has Mambos Cuban Express' inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Mambos Cuban Express have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Mambos Cuban Express 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 Mambos Cuban Express inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Mambos Cuban Express is inspected around three times per year on average.
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