Merengue Restaurant and Catering
Last inspected: Mar 3, 2026
67
Score
Merengue Restaurant and Catering has been inspected nine times since 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Mar 3, 2026. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around two violations each.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing”, showing up two times.
Merengue Restaurant and Catering's latest score of 67 falls below the Stuart average of 81. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
9
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 3, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation.
View 3 violations
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
67
Sep 26, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
86
Mar 28, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed plastic pitcher inside hand wash sink at cook line. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed handle indirect contact with flour at prep counter. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
86
Oct 15, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw chicken over raw beef not commercially packed in tall stainless reach in cooler. Operator stored items properly. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed plastic container inside of hand wash sink at cook line. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed flour not labeled in plastic container under prep table in kitchen. Operator labeled items properly. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
35B-01-4
70
Mar 12, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed Raw sausage over evaporated milk in tall white reach in cooler. Operator stored properly. **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. Observed raw Ground beef over raw pork at walk in cooler. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Mofongo sauce (cooked vegetables) (134F - Hot Holding) Per operator, out of temperature for approximately 2 hours. Operator returned to stove to reheat to 165+F. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Portion cups stored in reused cut cardboard box. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
61
Sep 19, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 19, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Operator installed new Dish Machine(by 3 compartment area) **Warning**
51-16-7
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Milk/opened over 24 hours before/corrective action taken/operator date labeled milk/walk in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
82
Mar 15, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw chicken over raw beef/reach in freezer/corrective action taken/operator stored raw products properly. **Corrective Action Taken**
08A-17-6
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
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.
53B-13-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Oil/shortening containers/storage area/corrective action taken/operator stored foods properly. **Corrective Action Taken**
08B-38-4
67
Dec 13, 2022
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.
29-42-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Quaternary test strips.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Frontline
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Frontline
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Raw/undercooked animal food offered and establishment has no written consumer advisory. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service. Corrective action taken/operator posted consumer advisory. **Corrected On-Site**
02B-02-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Frontline
31B-04-4
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Merengue Restaurant and Catering last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Merengue Restaurant and Catering on file is from Mar 3, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Merengue Restaurant and Catering?
Across the inspection record, “handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Merengue Restaurant and Catering.
How does Merengue Restaurant and Catering compare to other restaurants in Stuart?
Merengue Restaurant and Catering most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Stuart average of 81.
Has Merengue Restaurant and Catering's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Merengue Restaurant and Catering have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Merengue Restaurant and Catering 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 Merengue Restaurant and Catering inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Merengue Restaurant and Catering is inspected around three times per year on average.
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