Pizza Express and La Ceiba
Last inspected: Jan 13, 2026
35
Score
Pizza Express and La Ceiba appears in inspection records eight times, starting in 2022. Pizza Express and La Ceiba was last inspected on Jan 13, 2026. High risk usually means inspectors flagged either critical violations or a stack of smaller ones.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near seven violations per visit.
“Ready-to-eat” comes up most often, recorded two times in the inspection record.
Restaurants in Ocala average 78, so Pizza Express and La Ceiba trails the local norm. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
8
Inspections
3
Critical latest
4
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 13, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed
FL-27
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
35
Aug 20, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed
FL-27
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
39
May 7, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Large open bowl containing raw frozen chicken stored directly above pan containing raw frozen beef on shelf inside walk-in freezer. Manager moved the chicken to another freezer during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
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. One National Registry of Food Safety Professionals Food Handler certificate expired on 02/24/2025.
53B-14-5
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Old date labels stuck to side of two pans on clean dishes and rack in back of kitchen.
16-46-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on prep table beside clean dishes and above food near ice machine.
40-06-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Large vent on ceiling in back of kitchen soiled with dust.
36-34-5
67
Aug 14, 2024
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Food-contact surface of commercial can opener soiled with food debris, mold-like substance.
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. Milk opened two days earlier per manager not date marked, also portioned beef in walk-in-cooler prepared two days earlier not date marked.
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle not properly labeled with identifying contents ( Fabuoso ). Manager labeled bottle **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Bathroom facility in disrepair. Bathroom on pizza side of establishment is marked out of order.
32-05-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee water bottle stored on prep table and above flour bags. Manager removed water bottle **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Establishment using sponges on cleaned and sanitized, or in-use food-contact surface. Establishment using sponge on in-use food-contact surface at three-compartment sink.
21-23-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Reach in freezer has ice build up
14-69-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water in reach in cooler on cook line.
29-49-6
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed produce ( plantains ) stored over ready-to-eat food ( pupusa sauce ) in reach in cooler. Manager removed sauce **Corrected On-Site**
08B-17-4
55
Jan 5, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. At the prep area, observed roach and flying insect killer on prep table next to steam table, manager moved to chemical area. **Corrected On-Site**
41-05-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At the cook line at room temperature, fresh garlic and oil 76F, per employee items is in constantly used. Inspector explained the use of time as a Public Health control.
03A-02-5
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Female employee at the cook line touched with her bare hands already heated Cuban sandwich, Inspector explained the correct handling of ready to eat food.
09-01-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. At the mop sink area, spray bottle with liquid not labeled.
41-17-4
Intermediate - Establishment not maintaining clam/mussel/oyster tags for 90 days. No tags available for fresh clams. **Repeat Violation**
01C-02-4
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. No documents available, Inspector provided a digital copy.
03F-10-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table at the cook line.
12B-07-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under triple sink heavily soiled.
36-73-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available.
51-18-6
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach-in cooler next to pizza cooler with shelves soiled.
22-16-4
35
Aug 22, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations.
View 4 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
61
Mar 23, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Oct 18, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Pizza Express and La Ceiba last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Pizza Express and La Ceiba on file is from Jan 13, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Pizza Express and La Ceiba?
Across the inspection record, “ready-to-eat” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Pizza Express and La Ceiba.
How does Pizza Express and La Ceiba compare to other restaurants in Ocala?
Pizza Express and La Ceiba most recently scored 35 out of 100, which is lower than the Ocala average of 78.
Has Pizza Express and La Ceiba's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Pizza Express and La Ceiba have averaged around seven violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Pizza Express and La Ceiba 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 Pizza Express and La Ceiba inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Pizza Express and La Ceiba is inspected around two times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants