Pita Loca
Last inspected: Apr 21, 2026
52
Score
Inspectors have visited Pita Loca nine times, with records going back to 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Apr 21, 2026. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around eight violations to closer to 16 violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “food stored on floor” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.
Compared to other Miami Beach restaurants (averaging 69), there's room to close the gap. There are enough flags in the record to merit a second thought.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
11
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 21, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 11 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed food inside RIC display bamba (41F - Cold Holding); potato cuber (41.4F - Cold Holding); corn salad (41F - Cold Holding); tuna salad (41F - Cold Holding), all from Friday 4/17.
02C-02-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed. Employee Red Bull on prep table .
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee engaged in food prep without beard guard. **Repeat Violation**
13-04-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Heavy accumulation of debris on second floor.
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed raw chicken in a plastic container on walk in cooler floor. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Person in charge fixed it. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-08-5
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed spoons inside in standing water at room temperature. **Repeat Violation**
10-07-4
Basic - Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Observed in grab and go display cooler for customer self service IC display : spicy bamba (41F - Cold Holding); potato cuber (41.4F - Cold Holding); corn salad (41F - Cold Holding); tuna salad (41F - Cold Holding) with no labels. **Repeat Violation**
02D-03-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Missing at the restrooms and for the kitchen . Owner ordered signs . **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
Basic - Storage area not maintained clean and organized. Observed second floor area completely disorganized.
33-34-4
52
Nov 12, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 20 minor violations.
View 25 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cut cabbage (45F - cold holding). Per operator it is cold serving and has been out for less than four hours. Manager placed on ice. **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed the can opener rusted at the kitchen prep area.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed food debris inside handwash sink basin near stove. Explained to operator cannot use for other purposes.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels available at the handwash station near the stove. Manager provided. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap available at the handwash station near the stove. Manager provided. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed cracks on the floor tiles in the kitchen area.
36-17-5
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed the food cover containers of baine marine cracked.
14-38-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Observed old license stating expired on Oct. 1, 2025 was displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Observed employee personal water bottle on prep counter in kitchen.
12B-12-5
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 on prep counter.
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed cook with a beard not using a beard guard while preparing food.
13-04-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed a gap at the exterior door next to ice machine and restrooms.
35B-01-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed stored on the floor, gallons of 3 plastic buckets of tahini in the kitchen, raw chicken in the walk in cooler floor, plastic bucket of peeled onions and more plastic bucket of tahini in the prep area. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. Observed many cardboard boxes on the ground around dumpster and dumpster pad.
33-19-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup up in reach in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed the entire ice scoop in the ice inside the ice machine. Employee corrected it. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-08-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed a tong stored on oven handle in kitchen . Employee moved the tong . **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed various utensil in a plastic up in dirty standing water near the stove.
10-07-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Observed a linen under a cutting board in back prep area.
21-04-4
Basic - Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Observed bug zapper above bags of parsley, other food items and next to sausage machine and a knife box.
35B-02-4
Basic - Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Observed in grab and go reach in cooler, plastic containers of pickled peppers, olives, chocolate cake, baklava, babbaganoush, per operator all made in house, lacking labels with minimum proper information,
02D-03-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no handwash sign in female restroom.
31B-04-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed at the bottom of the reach in freezer with accumulation of soiled residue. **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed rusted shelves inside the walk in cooler.
14-17-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet wiping cloth stored on the prep cutting board in the kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
21
Mar 19, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed grill onions at 126 F on the side of the cooler in the kitchen. Employee started reheating the food. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked.Observed cooked quinoa from 3/14 with no date mark. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed food in plastic containers on the walk in cooler floor ( potatoes). Also plastic mayonnaise containers on the floor .
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Employee correct it. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-08-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed accumulation of grease on filters. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in freezer interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed accumulation of food residue inside the reach in freezer.
22-16-4
Basic - Unwrapped single-service utensils not presented so that only the handles are touched. Observed disposable utensils with food contact surface up.
25-02-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet towels left on counters.
21-12-4
50
Jul 22, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
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
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
37
Apr 17, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
61
Dec 11, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
47
Jun 22, 2023
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
39
Dec 1, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Gryo meat ( shawarma) in a broiler that is turned off. Observed chicken gyro ( shawarma ) device turned off for approximately 2 1/2 hrs. Owner turned on immediately. **Corrective Action Taken**
03C-97-2
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed employee washing dishes , but the sanitizing step was omitted. Explained employee how to conduct the sanitation. Employee set up the 3 compartment sink with quat sanitizer 200 ppm and started sanitizing the utensils . **Corrected On-Site**
22-45-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with washed and prep vegetables. Observed raw beef above seasoning chick peas for falafel . Employee inverted the food item storage order in the cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. **Repeat Violation**
11-07-5
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed employee washing his hands using the 3 compartment sink.
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed old debris on can opener. Employee sent the can opener to the 3 compartment sink. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked food inside walk in cooler with no date: white beans and caramelized onions from Tuesday 11/29 as per employee. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed water damage on the ceiling at the warewashing area. **Repeat Violation**
36-32-5
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed owner engaged in food preparation without beard guard. **Repeat Violation**
13-04-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed onion bags and chicken boxes on the kitchen floor. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Employee correct it. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Observed wet towels under cutting boards. **Repeat Violation**
21-04-4
Basic - Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Observed chick pea salad for customer self service without minimum required labels. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
02D-03-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available. **Repeat Violation**
51-18-6
Basic - No drainboards or equivalent provided for soiled items and/or air drying cleaned items. Observed one 3 sink space was blocked with a rack on it to dry utensils.
16-04-4
Basic - Storage area not maintained clean and organized. Observed storage area completely disorganized. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
33-34-4
27
Oct 26, 2022
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Pita Loca last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Pita Loca on file is from Apr 21, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Pita Loca?
Across the inspection record, “food stored on floor” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Pita Loca.
How does Pita Loca compare to other restaurants in Miami Beach?
Pita Loca most recently scored 52 out of 100, which is lower than the Miami Beach average of 69.
Has Pita Loca's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Pita Loca have averaged around 16 violations per visit, up from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Pita Loca 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 Pita Loca inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Pita Loca is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants