Morro Castle
Last inspected: Jan 15, 2026
41
Score
The health department has logged 11 inspections at Morro Castle, the earliest from 2022. The most recent report on file is from Jan 15, 2026. A high risk rating points to multiple serious findings at the most recent inspection.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near six violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “food stored on floor” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded six times.
Morro Castle's latest score of 41 falls below the Hialeah average of 76. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.
11
Inspections
5
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 15, 2026
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed black trash bags used to cover churros inside walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
14-31-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef stored over cut vegetables and cooked beef. Operator stored ready to eat food above raw beef. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Observed carton with eggs on top of prep table at kitchen, according to cook out for about 1 hour. Employee stored shell eggs inside walk in cooler buckets for rapid chill. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
03A-03-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed butter blend on top of counter at sandwich station 47F Cold Holding. Placed out 30 minutes ago, employee put butter blend sticks inside reach in cooler buckets. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed WD40 stored next to bread crumbs at shelf. Operator stored WD40 away from food storage area. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed cellphone stored on shelf next to flour. Operator removed cell phone. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed inside walk in cooler buckets with vegetable, mojo, black beans stored on the floor. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Operator removed knife, placed at 3 compartment for washing. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
41
Aug 15, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. Observed some expired 08/06/2025 **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-15: Observed some expired 08/06/2025 **Time Extended**
53B-14-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed gaskets in reach in coolers at kitchen torn. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-15: Observed gaskets in reach in coolers at kitchen torn. **Time Extended**
14-11-5
86
Aug 14, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw hamburger patties over cut vegetables inside reach in cooler. Operator moved raw hamburger patties patties to bottom shelf under ready to eat food. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed prove thermometer inside reach in cooler at kitchen across from flat grill cooked beef (46F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (45F - Cold Holding); hamburger patties (45F - Cold Holding); cut lettuce (46F - Cold Holding); sliced cheese (46F - Cold Holding). According to operator refrigerator was opened for about 30 minutes, operator placed ice bags inside reach in cooler for rapid chill. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at preparation table, garlic , onions and oils mix (125F - Hot Holding), according to cook prepared 1 hour ago. Cook placed container on top of stove to reheat. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03B-01-6
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. Observed some expired 08/06/2025 **Warning**
53B-14-5
Basic - Cloth used as a food-contact surface. Observed at kitchen, operator removed cloth **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
21-05-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employees preparing and serving food no hair restraints. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed gaskets in reach in coolers at kitchen torn. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-11-5
50
Jan 13, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed pooled eggs stored over cut ham inside reach in cooler at kitchen. Cook stored pooled eggs on bottom shelf under cut ham. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed blocked by trash can at kitchen hand sink. Employee moved trash can and made the hand sink accessible. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spry bottle containing alcohol, and bottle containing chlorine sanitizer at kitchen not labeled. Manager labeled spry bottles. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed gaskets in reach in cooler at kitchen torn. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed bucket with plantains and cooking oil containers stored on the kitchen floor. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed employee drink inside cooler. Employee discarded drink. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
Basic - Cloth used as a food-contact surface. Observed towel covering sweet plantains inside walk in cooler.
21-05-5
58
Aug 15, 2024
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed oils containers stored on floor at kitchen area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-15: Observed oils containers stored on floor at kitchen area. **Time Extended**
08B-38-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed wet mop not properly stored to dry at mop sink area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-15: Observed wet mop not properly stored to dry at mop sink area. **Time Extended**
42-01-4
90
Aug 14, 2024
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed an employee touching face, no washing hands or changing gloves. Manager coached employee how to proper wash hands and correct gloves use **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12A-09-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed sliced tomatoes (60F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (48F - Cold Holding); cut lettuce (68F - Cold Holding); croquettes (60F - Cold Holding). Place in unit 3 hours ago according to cook. Operator started relocating all products to walk in cooler for rapid cooling. Observed at sandwich area ham and cheese sandwich (62F - Cold Holding) as operator less than 2 hours. Operator relocated prepared sandwiches inside reach in cooler for rapid cooling. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at stove, beef soup (114F - Hot Holding); black bean (121F - Hot Holding). Operator turn burner on to started reheating the product. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed above three compartment sink. **Warning**
29-34-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef over cooked pork at walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed a trash can blocking the hand wash sink at kitchen area. Manager moved trash can away from hand wash sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed at front counter. Employee provided soap. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed flans at walk in cooler according to manager prepared the day before in the morning around 10 am. **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Clean utensils stored between equipment and wall. Observed a knife between wall and three compartment sink. Operator removed knife to be wash at three compartment sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
24-14-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee at sandwich area no hair restraint. **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed oils containers stored on floor at kitchen area. **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Walk in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observe shelves inside walk in cooler soiled with food residue. **Warning**
22-16-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed wet mop not properly stored to dry at mop sink area. **Warning**
42-01-4
27
Apr 22, 2024
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Air gap between water supply inlet and flood rim of equipment/sink is less than one inch. Observed hose used at 3 compartment. **Repeat Violation**
29-44-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed at kit two spray bottles containing sanitizer and degreaser no labeled. **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed employee drinking from a bottle at kitchen while serving food.
12B-02-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed gaskets in reach in coolers at kitchen torn. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed at kitchen under prep table.
36-22-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed cooking oil container, and seasoning bucket stored on the kitchen floor, and sack with onions inside walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
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 inside rice handle of metal container touching the rice. Employee stored scoop with handle upwards. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. Observed at kitchen under plastic container holding frozen Potatoes.
21-09-4
58
Mar 22, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 7 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
37
Sep 25, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Air gap between water supply inlet and flood rim of equipment/sink is less than one inch. Observed hose in use at 3 compartment sink. **Repeat Violation**
29-44-4
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed thank you bags in use to store chicken inside reach in freezer.
14-31-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at cook line pooled eggs (57F - Cold Holding) Out for about 40 minutes. Employee put pooled eggs container in an ice bath for rapid chill, 20 minutes later, pooled eggs (42F - Cold Holding) **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle containing sanitizer on cleaning cart, no labeled with name. Manager labeled spray bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed inside walk in cooler cooked beef , cooked pork, co chicken and flans according to cook prepared the day before no date labeled. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed garbage can in front of hand wash sink at kitchen. Em moved garage can away from hand wash sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine. Observed no measuring device available for dish machine.
16-62-1
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed at kitchen area. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Soiled dry wiping cloth in use. Observed at kitchen. Employee replaced soiled towels. **Corrected On-Site**
21-10-4
39
Mar 13, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Air gap between water supply inlet and flood rim of equipment/sink is less than one inch. Observed hose in use at 3 compartment sink.
29-44-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw be containers stored above cooked beef con instead walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Manager coached employee about glove change and proper hand washing. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-09-4
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed next to 3 compartment sink.
29-34-4
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 - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.
11-26-1
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Manager provided soap. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked pork, cooked beef, flans according to cook prepared the day before no date labeled. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed cooking oil containers stored on the floor at kitchen. Employee stored cooking oil containers six inches above floor. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed reach in coolers and walk in cooler handle soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-24-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed gaskets torn in reach in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. **Repeat Violation**
21-04-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. **Repeat Violation**
22-08-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
21-12-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed flour containers at kitchen and sugar by coffee preparation area no labeled with name.
02D-01-5
26
Oct 13, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
47
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Morro Castle last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Morro Castle on file is from Jan 15, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Morro Castle?
Across the inspection record, “food stored on floor” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Morro Castle.
How does Morro Castle compare to other restaurants in Hialeah?
Morro Castle most recently scored 41 out of 100, which is lower than the Hialeah average of 76.
Has Morro Castle's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Morro Castle have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Morro Castle 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 Morro Castle inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Morro Castle is inspected around three times per year on average.
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