Rancho Palafox Mexican Food
Last inspected: Mar 4, 2026
70
Score
Going back to 2023, Rancho Palafox Mexican Food has 10 inspections in the public record. The newest entry in the record is dated Mar 4, 2026. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around three violations compared to roughly seven violations earlier on.
“Probe thermometer not accurate within plus” comes up most often, recorded two times in the inspection record.
That's lower than the typical Hollywood restaurant, which scores around 75. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 4, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
70
Oct 13, 2025
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
86
Jun 30, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Employee dried hands on clothes/apron/soiled towel after washing. Employee wiped hands on soiled wiping cloth after opening container of soup to begin reheating. Reviewed with manager to explain to employee proper procedures for using wiping cloths and washing hands. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-18-4
High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. In kitchen fliptop upper cooler, paper towels lining container of diced tomatoes. Employee removed paper towels. **Corrected On-Site**
14-86-1
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. In Maxx Cold reach in cooler at back of kitchen, 1) tray of portioned raw beef above tray of raw whole fish. 2) portioned raw pork steaks in same container as portioned raw beef. Employee rearranged all items for proper separation. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knives between fliptop unit and prep table in kitchen. Employee removed knives. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
61
Mar 7, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jan 6, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee arrived to work and put on gloves to begin food prep without first washing hands. Reviewed with employee proper procedures and employee washed hands. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. In unisex bathroom. Manager replaced. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31B-02-4
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/. New ownership of restaurant remodeled parts of kitchen without submitting to plan review for approval. Provided necessary information to operator to submit plans. **Warning**
51-16-7
Intermediate - Probe thermometer not accurate within plus or minus 2 degrees Fahrenheit. Probe thermometer reading 39F in ice water. Adjusted for proper calibration. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
05-06-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unknown substance in spray bottle on floor by end of triple sink. Manager marked as bleach water. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-17-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. In unisex bathroom. Sign printed and posted. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31B-04-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Warning**
50-09-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. No ambient thermometer in Whirlpool refrigerator. **Warning**
05-09-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. 1) Squeeze bottles of water and oil at cook line not labeled. 2) Bulk container of sugar on prep table by cook line not labeled. 3) Container of sugar by espresso maker at front counter not labeled. **Warning**
02D-01-5
47
Sep 17, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Spray bottle of sanitizer reading over 200ppm chlorine. Manager remade bottle to proper 100ppm chlorine. **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
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. In chest freezer at back of kitchen, open frozen pack of raw steak above bag of whole fish. Manager moved fish to separate freezer with other seafood. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-17-6
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chlorine test kit.
16-37-1
Intermediate - Probe thermometer not accurate within plus or minus 2 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooking thermometer available only. Does not register cold temperatures.
05-06-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unknown substances in spray bottles at triple sink. Manager labeled as degreaser and sanitizer. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Container of fryer oil on floor in prep area.
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs on oven handle and in contact with soiled door. Manager removed tongs. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Ladle in container of standing water by beverage cooler in dining room. Employee dumped water and replaced with dry container. **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. White microwave in prep area has food debris buildup. Manager cleaned. **Corrected On-Site**
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Front of oven doors soiled with grease buildup.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Shelves in Traulsen 2 door reach in cooler are rust pitted.
14-33-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Gallon container of oil on prep table and bulk container of flour missing labels. **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Repeat Violation**
50-09-4
37
Mar 25, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
78
Nov 8, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - Food thermometer(s) not calibrated according to manufacturer's specifications.
05-07-4
90
Feb 8, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw pork and raw shelled eggs over unwashed vegetables inside reach in cooler in kitchen. Operator moved to lower shelves and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
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
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. **Repeat Violation**
05-08-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair over pizza over by front counter.
36-32-5
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Bags of onions and potatoes on floor in kitchen. Operator elevated **Corrected On-Site**
08B-47-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated dust behind trauslen reach in cooler in kitchen.
36-27-5
61
Jan 6, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 5 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shelled eggs stored over hot dogs inside whirlpool refrigerator in kitchen. Operator moved eggs to another RIC and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked white rice (55F - Cold Holding overnight per manager inside standing cooler next to Maxx cold freezer in kitchen. See stop sale , Manager discarded **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked white rice (55F - Cold Holding overnight per manager inside standing cooler next to Maxx cold freezer in kitchen. See stop sale , Manager discarded **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03A-02-5
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. Provided procedures to manager **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. **Warning**
53A-01-7
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
16-37-1
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. **Warning**
05-08-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses in cook line. Operator moved to be washed, rinsed and sanitized. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
10-20-4
Basic - Maxx cold reach in freezer bottom shelf have accumulation of soil residues in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-16-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Emailed sign to manager. Provided sign to manager **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
51-13-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in Traulsen reach in cooler and standing cooler next to max cold freezer in kitchen. **Warning**
05-09-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Standing cooler next to Maxx cold freezer in kitchen. **Warning**
14-33-4
30
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Rancho Palafox Mexican Food last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Rancho Palafox Mexican Food on file is from Mar 4, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Rancho Palafox Mexican Food?
Across the inspection record, “probe thermometer not accurate within plus” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Rancho Palafox Mexican Food.
How does Rancho Palafox Mexican Food compare to other restaurants in Hollywood?
Rancho Palafox Mexican Food most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Hollywood average of 75.
Has Rancho Palafox Mexican Food's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Rancho Palafox Mexican Food have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Rancho Palafox Mexican Food 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 Rancho Palafox Mexican Food inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Rancho Palafox Mexican Food is inspected around three times per year on average.
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