Ricos Mexican & Latin Food
Last inspected: Mar 26, 2026
86
Score
Public records show eight inspections at Ricos Mexican & Latin Food stretching back to 2023. On Mar 26, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around 10 violations per visit versus roughly six violations earlier in the record.
Among Altamonte Springs restaurants, the typical score is 76; Ricos Mexican & Latin Food is comfortably above that bar. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 26, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. -rinsing towel in hand wash sink in kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-25: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-26: **Time Extended**
31A-11-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. -gap above screen door at back of kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-25: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-26: **Time Extended**
35B-01-4
86
Mar 25, 2026
Routine - Food
6 critical violations. 5 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. -portion cups of sour cream and kabob sauce in countertop cooler 80. Unit not working. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-25: **Time Extended**
03A-02-5
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. -sour cream, kabob sauce in counter top cooler. -large bowl of cooked rice 81 -noodles 61 **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-25: **Time Extended**
01B-02-5
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. -raw shell eggs above ketchup in glass door cooler. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-25: **Time Extended**
08A-05-6
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. -employee pulled gloves out of box without washing hands. Advised. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-25: **Time Extended**
12A-07-5
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. -rice cooling 6 hours per operator in large bowl, covered, in reach in cooler 81. Noodles cooling 6 hours per operator 61. Operator discarded. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-25: **Time Extended**
01B-36-5
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. -rice 81 noodles 61, both cooling 6 hours per operator. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-25: **Time Extended**
03D-02-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Probe thermometer not within the intended measuring range of use. -unable to measure below 50. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-25: **Time Extended**
05-03-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. -rinsing towel in hand wash sink in kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-25: **Time Extended**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. -for quat 3 compartment sink. Unable to locate. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-25: **Time Extended**
16-37-1
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine. -no method of testing new hot water saniting machine. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-25: **Time Extended**
16-62-1
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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/. -operator added dish machine. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-25: **Time Extended**
51-16-7
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. -gap above screen door at back of kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-25: **Time Extended**
35B-01-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food stored on floor. -cardboard box of onions, potatoes on floor in kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-25: **Time Extended**
08B-38-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -hood filters soiled with grease. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-25: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Uncleanable knife block in use to store knives. -operator will remove. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-03-25: **Time Extended**
14-55-4
20
Jan 26, 2026
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 5 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 13 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
Food Properly Stored/Protected
FL-48
18
Jul 28, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
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
32
Oct 1, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. -cook washed hands with gloves on. Advised employee that gloves must be removed, hands washed, then new gloves. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-09-4
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. -milk open 2 days. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Operator has no CFM for facility. **Warning**
53A-01-7
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. -chlorine test kit.
16-37-1
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. -in bench freezer.
14-69-4
61
Jun 6, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Aug 24, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
86
Feb 13, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. -1 small flying insect in kitchen near 3 compartment sink.
35A-02-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. -raw shell eggs on top shelf of reach-in cooler above mayo. Operator moved raw shell eggs. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. -for quaternary ammonia in 3 compartment sink. Provided small amount to operator until more can be acquired. **Corrective Action Taken**
16-37-1
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. -hand wash sink at front counter and kitchen have no hot running water. Operator was able to turn hot water to both sinks.
27-16-4
Basic - Accumulation of dead or trapped birds, insects, rodents, or other pests, in control devices. -5 dead roaches in sticky traps under bar hand wash sink. Operator discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
35A-06-4
Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. -no cove molding in kitchen area. Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. -acoustic tiles throughout kitchen.
36-03-4
Basic - Outer openings not protected during operation and vermin and/or environmental cross contamination present. -back door open during inspection, small flying insect present in kitchen. Employee closed door, advised to keep closed.
35B-05-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. -hot water leaking under bar hand wash sink.
29-11-4
50
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Ricos Mexican & Latin Food last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Ricos Mexican & Latin Food on file is from Mar 26, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
How does Ricos Mexican & Latin Food compare to other restaurants in Altamonte Springs?
Ricos Mexican & Latin Food most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is higher than the Altamonte Springs average of 76.
Has Ricos Mexican & Latin Food's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Ricos Mexican & Latin Food have averaged around 10 violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Ricos Mexican & Latin Food means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Ricos Mexican & Latin Food inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Ricos Mexican & Latin Food is inspected around three times per year on average.
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