Mezza Latin House

19790 S Dixie Hwy, Cutler Bay, FL 33157

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Feb 8, 2024

Score

High Risk

The health department has logged three inspections at Mezza Latin House, the earliest from 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Feb 8, 2024. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well. Note that Mezza Latin House's inspection history hasn't been updated since Feb 8, 2024; current conditions may have shifted from what the file shows.

Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around six violations each.

Looking across the full record, “time/temperature control for safety food” is the recurring theme, flagged two times.

That's lower than the typical Cutler Bay restaurant, which scores around 70. There are enough flags in the record to merit a second thought.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Feb 8, 2024

Routine - Food

3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 6 violations

High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed cook breading raw chicken, continued to replace her used gloves for new gloves and failed to wash hand prior. Coached employee on proper hand washing techniques. **Corrective Action Taken**

12A-07-5

High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. In the upright reach in cooler located at cook line observed raw chicken stored over raw steak.

08A-20-5

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Stored On the preparation table at cook line observed cooked yellow rice (79 F - Hot Holding), as per employee for less than 1 hour, instructed employee to reheat the rice. **Corrective Action Taken**

03B-01-6

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. Employee Araceli De Jesus, working for more than 60 days not certified. **Admin Complaint**

53B-02-5

Basic - Employee eating while preparing food. Observed employee drinking water while preparing food.

12B-01-4

Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed battled water stored on the cutting board attached to the reach in cooler located next to the hand wash sink.

12B-02-4

Apr 3, 2023

Routine - Food

3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.

View 7 violations

High Priority - Metal stem-type thermometer soiled. Employee cleaned it onsite. **Corrected On-Site**

22-12-5

High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. In the reach in freezer located in front of the fryers Observed raw chicken thighs stored in direct contact with thank you bags.

14-31-5

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In the reach in cooler located next to the hand wash sink observed ham (51F - Cold Holding); cheese (50 F - Cold Holding). As per employee for less than 4 hours employee placed the ham and cheese inside the unit. **Corrective Action Taken**

03A-02-5

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed raw onions stored in the HWS located in the kitchen. Employee removed onions and cleaned the sink. **Corrected On-Site**

31A-09-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed RIF gasket soiled, reach in freezer located near the preparation table in the kitchen.

23-03-4

Basic - Reach-in freezer have accumulation of soil residues, reach in freezer located in front of the fryers in the kitchen.

22-16-4

Basic - Wet wiping cloth used to wipe tableware or carry-out containers. Observed wet WC stored over the reach in freezer.

21-02-4

Nov 1, 2022

Routine - Food

4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 7 violations

High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Stored In the reach in freezer in front of the fryers observed raw chicken, raw beef Patties in direct contact with Nonfood-graded bags.

14-31-5

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. Reach in freezer located in front of the fryers in the kitchen observed raw chicken over raw pork not all in the original package.

08A-17-6

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In hot holding unit at front counter observed cooked sweet plantains (129F - Hot Holding), as per manager for for less than an hour. Manager reheating food. **Corrective Action Taken**

03B-01-6

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed grill cleaner stored in the food storage shelves. Operator removed item and placed it in the chemicals area. **Corrected On-Site**

41-10-4

Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. Manager found the probe thermometer. **Corrected On-Site**

05-08-4

Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Oven located in the kitchen.

22-08-4

Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in freezer interior soiled, located in front of the fryers in the kitchen.

22-16-4

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Mezza Latin House last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Mezza Latin House on file is from Feb 8, 2024. The public record contains three inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Mezza Latin House?

Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Mezza Latin House.

How does Mezza Latin House compare to other restaurants in Cutler Bay?

Mezza Latin House most recently scored 52 out of 100, which is lower than the Cutler Bay average of 70.

Has Mezza Latin House's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Mezza Latin House have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a high risk rating mean?

A high risk rating at Mezza Latin House 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.

Nearby Restaurants

Score: 39 — High Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Cutler Bay → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Florida → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Cutler Bay