Rico Rico Restaurant-Cafeteria
Last inspected: Mar 17, 2026
18
Score
Public records show 10 inspections at Rico Rico Restaurant-Cafeteria stretching back to 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Mar 17, 2026. High risk usually means inspectors flagged either critical violations or a stack of smaller ones.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near 10 violations per visit across recent inspections.
The pattern that stands out is “ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer”, which has been cited three times.
By comparison, the average Miami facility scores 74, putting Rico Rico Restaurant-Cafeteria on the weaker side. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.
10
Inspections
4
Critical latest
3
Major latest
16
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 17, 2026
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 16 minor violations.
View 23 violations
High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed female employee pick up trash on the floor and then proceeded to wipe down the prep counter before washing her hands. **Warning**
12A-13-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw shelled eggs stored above unwashed onions inside the walk in cooler. **Warning**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken stored above RTE cooked beef, cooked ground beef and cooked chicken inside upright RIC in the kitchen. Operator placed raw chicken on the bottom. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed beef empanada (cooked 1 hour ago) (127F - Hot Holding); chicken empanada (cooked 1 hour ago) (127F - Hot Holding) in hot holding unit at the front counter. Operator reheated food items, beef empanada (2nd temperature) (180F - Reheating); chicken empanada (2nd temperature) (200F - Reheating)**Corrected On-Site** **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Observed for various steak and egg your style items requested by customer. **Warning**
02B-01-5
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. Observed Lolie Calbo (cook), per operator employee has been working three for 3 months. **Warning**
53B-02-5
Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed for shelf housing clean food equipment in the kitchen area. **Warning**
22-31-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed for reach in freezer in the front area. **Warning**
14-69-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed in the female restrooms no handwashing sign. Operator was able to post a sign. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled door gasket of walk in cooler and in reach in coolers in the front area. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Observed in disrepair the hot water handle for the handwashing sink in the kitchen. **Warning**
29-08-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed in RIC in kitchen and front area. **Warning**
14-33-4
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed at mop sink and at the wall and floor junction near the walk in cooler and RIF. **Warning**
36-02-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observe in the walk in cooler. **Warning**
14-17-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed no label for sugar container in the front area near microwave. Also observed for three squeeze bottles in the cook line. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
02D-01-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed broken and missing for tiles for flooring inside the walk in cooler. **Warning**
36-17-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed not smooth ceiling tiles at the walk in cooler RIF area, in the kitchen area, and front counter area. **Warning**
36-37-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed in disrepair ceiling of walk in cooler. **Warning**
36-32-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Warning**
50-09-4
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed female employee wearing a watch while engaging in food production. **Warning**
13-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not washed, rinsed and sanitized in the correct order in three-compartment sink. Do not use dishes/equipment not properly sanitized. Observed dirty dishes inside the sanitizing basin of 3CS. Also observed employee rinsing washed soapy dishes inside sanitizing basin. **Warning**
16-13-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed broken gasket for reach in cooler in the kitchen area. **Warning**
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed box of oranges stored in the walk in cooler floor. **Warning**
08B-38-4
18
Jul 21, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw shell eggs over peeled potatoes at walk in cooler. Employee removed eggs and wash the potatoes. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed slicer soiled at kitchen.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed hand sink at kitchen lack of hat water. Cook was able to open up the faucet but the plumbing is broken. **Corrective Action Taken**
27-16-4
Basic - Faucet/handle missing at plumbing fixture. For hand sink located at kitchen by prep table.
29-09-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed walk in cooler wall need some paint or some kind repair.
36-24-5
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook placed bucket on stoved. **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Employee removed the towel.**Corrected On-Site** **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. At front unit located at counter.
05-09-4
55
Feb 18, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Feb 17, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
55
Oct 17, 2024
Routine - Food
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-17: Observed ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in kitchen. **Time Extended**
36-37-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Observed walk-in cooler with an ambient temperature of 56F. Informed operator about unit. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-17: Observed walk-in cooler with an ambient temperature of 56F. Informed operator about unit. No TCS product being stored n unit. **Time Extended**
14-74-7
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed gasket in disrepair at walk in cooler and at front counter low boy cooler. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-17: Observed gasket in disrepair at walk in cooler and at front counter low boy cooler. **Time Extended**
14-11-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup up in reach in chest freezer front counter. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-17: Observed ice buildup up in reach in chest freezer front counter. **Time Extended**
14-69-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-17: Observed missing drain plug at dumpster. **Time Extended**
33-11-4
78
Oct 14, 2024
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 4 major violations. 12 minor violations.
View 21 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed chicken stored over French fries in reach in freezer in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw chicken stored over potatoes and margarine in walk in cooler. **Warning**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw eggs stored over pita bread in walk in cooler. **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed at walk in cooler moros (49F - Cold Holding); white rice (49F - Cold Holding); (49F - Cold Holding); cooked pork (49F - Cold Holding); tamales cooked (48F - Cold Holding); raw marinated pork loin (48F - Cold Holding); shredded mozzarella (49F - Cold Holding); provolone (54F - Cold Holding); mozzarella block (54F - Cold Holding). As per manager for more than 24 hours. Informed manager product cannot be served to public. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at walk in cooler moros (49F - Cold Holding); white rice (49F - Cold Holding); (49F - Cold Holding); cooked pork (49F - Cold Holding); tamales cooked (48F - Cold Holding); raw marinated pork loin (48F - Cold Holding); shredded mozzarella (49F - Cold Holding); provolone (54F - Cold Holding); mozzarella (54F - Cold Holding). As per manager for more than 24 hours. Informed manager product cannot be served to public. **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Employee has not received adequate training related to their assigned duties as evidenced by the inability to answer basic food safety questions. Observed front counter employee without knowledge of proper ppm for chlorine sanitizer. Discussed with employee proper concentration levels and use of test kit. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
53B-16-4
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Observed products under TPHC, no written plan. Provided, printed, and explained TPHC document to operator. Operator filled out document during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
03F-10-5
Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Observed at women's bathroom. **Warning**
31B-05-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed containers of cooked pork not dated marked in walk in cooler, as per operator, for more than 24 hours. Also observed single service flans and tres leches not date marked at front counter dessert, as per manager for more than 24hrs. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed CO2 tanks not secured at front counter. **Warning**
51-11-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in kitchen. **Warning**
36-37-5
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Observed ceiling tile missing above cook line in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-36-4
Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Observed walk-in cooler with an ambient temperature of 56F. Informed operator about unit. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
14-74-7
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed one dead roach at walk in cooler entrance. Operator provided pest control invoice dated 10/12/24. Operator removed and discarded dead roach. **Warning**
35A-03-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed 2 front counter employees no hair restraint. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed gasket in disrepair at walk in cooler and at front counter low boy cooler. **Warning**
14-11-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup up in reach in chest freezer front counter. **Warning**
14-69-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. **Warning**
33-11-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no signs at women's and men's bathroom. **Warning**
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets at front counter coffee station and at front counter low bar cooler. Also observed soiled fan guard in walk in cooler. Observed front counter ice machine with water reservoir containing mineral deposits. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed multiple squeeze bottles of oil at cook line not labeled and bins of rice and beans in kitchen not labeled. **Warning**
02D-01-5
17
Jun 25, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw chicken over precooked fries stored inside standing freezer. Employee removed items and placed them correctly.
08A-02-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. See stop sale.
03F-02-5
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 loin, and ground meat stored inside reach in cooler, located at front counter without dated marked. As per operator food was prepared 2 days before the inspection. Employee labeled with the proper date. **Corrective Action Taken**
02C-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. Discussed with operator and provided email handout.
11-27-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink, located at front counter. Employee placed a new paper towel. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Discussed with operator and provided email form
03F-10-5
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Observed missing tile above the walk in cooler.
36-36-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed clean plates stored on shelf at preparation area not inverted.
24-05-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employees engage in food preparation without hair restraint.
13-03-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed hole on the wall, located between the 2 standing freezer near the walk in cooler.
36-24-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin, located at front counter.
22-20-5
39
Dec 13, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Nonfood-grade basting brush used in food.
14-14-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food.
14-01-5
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Kitchen.
05-09-4
82
Aug 14, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 5 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 16 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
9
Aug 10, 2022
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no test kit available at the time of inspection.
16-37-1
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed tiles damaged and in disrepair above hood filters in back kitchen.
36-32-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Throughout the kitchen area.
36-34-5
Basic - Food stored in a location that is exposed to splash/dust. Observed food in steam table is subject to splash from hand sink. Contractor is installing a splash gard. **Corrective Action Taken**
08B-36-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed walls inside walk in cooler soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. In kitchen area.
22-16-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Rico Rico Restaurant-Cafeteria last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Rico Rico Restaurant-Cafeteria on file is from Mar 17, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Rico Rico Restaurant-Cafeteria?
Across the inspection record, “ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Rico Rico Restaurant-Cafeteria.
How does Rico Rico Restaurant-Cafeteria compare to other restaurants in Miami?
Rico Rico Restaurant-Cafeteria most recently scored 18 out of 100, which is lower than the Miami average of 74.
Has Rico Rico Restaurant-Cafeteria's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Rico Rico Restaurant-Cafeteria have averaged around 10 violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Rico Rico Restaurant-Cafeteria 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 Rico Rico Restaurant-Cafeteria inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Rico Rico Restaurant-Cafeteria is inspected around three times per year on average.
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