Rio's Cafe and Grill
Last inspected: Nov 5, 2025
86
Score
Rio's Cafe and Grill has been inspected 12 times since 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Nov 5, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around six violations to closer to eight violations.
Across the inspection history, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded seven times.
Rio's Cafe and Grill's latest score of 86 sits above the Pompano Beach average of 78. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
12
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 5, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-11-05: Observed same. **Time Extended**
53B-13-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling tiles soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance in kitchen. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-11-05: Observed same. **Time Extended**
36-34-5
86
Nov 4, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm). **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Container of raw fish stored on shelf above mayonnaise and chopped garlic in two door reach in cooler in kitchen. **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Employee used tobacco, ate, or drank then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee drinking water and then handled cleaned food utensils without handwashing. **Warning**
12A-05-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink at front counter. **Warning**
31B-02-4
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. **Warning**
53B-13-5
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed employee personal water bottle stored in two door reach in freezer in kitchen. **Warning**
12B-13-4
Basic - Ceiling tiles soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance in kitchen. **Warning**
36-34-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee personal water bottle stored on food prep table next to cutting board and cleaned utensils. **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed employee drinking at food prep table in the kitchen. **Warning**
12B-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. 1. Hood filters at cookline in kitchen. 2. Two door Grista reach in freezer door gaskets in kitchen. **Warning**
23-03-4
41
Jul 28, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 5 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed prepared, Fresh garlic in oil (66F - Hot Holding) on shelf opposite cookline in kitchen, under no temperature control. Prepared less than two hours ago per operator. **Warning**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed food employee rinsing soiled gloves at the triple sink in the kitchen and then handling cleaned utensils. **Warning**
12A-09-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. 1. Container of raw chicken stored directly on top of container of cooked chicken on same shelf in two door reach in cooler in kitchen. 2. Container of raw steak stored on shelf above bagged bread in two door reach in cooler in kitchen. **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Employee washed hands with no soap. Observed food employee rinse gloved hands with no soap at the triple sink in the kitchen after handling raw chicken. **Warning**
12A-20-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. **Warning**
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed French fry cutter stored in hand sink basin in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Two new employees hired less than 60 days working at the time of inspection. **Warning**
11-26-1
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink in the kitchen. **Warning**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Raw/undercooked animal food offered and establishment has no written consumer advisory. Establishment selling hamburgers cooked to order with no posted consumer advisory. Provided operator consumer advisory poster. **Warning**
02B-02-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed container of cleaned spoons and spatulas at the hand sink in the kitchen stored not inverted or protected. **Warning**
24-05-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. 1. Hood filters above cookline in kitchen. 2. Door gaskets at two door Delfield reach in cooler in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
23-03-4
30
Jan 3, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Nov 4, 2024
Routine - Food
5 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Mirella Soares, expired 6/18/24, Prometric. **Warning**
53A-03-7
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed soiled French fry cutter in basin of hand sink in kitchen. **Warning**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. **Warning**
53A-01-7
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Four employees observed working with food or food utensils at the time of inspection. **Warning**
53A-05-6
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 - Ceiling tiles soiled with accumulated food debris, grease or dust in ware wash area in kitchen. **Warning**
36-34-5
Basic - Clean equipment/utensils not stored at least 6 inches above the floor. Observed plastic baskets for food and food service film stored on floor in kitchen. **Warning**
24-26-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed cracked tiles in front of reach in coolers in kitchen. **Warning**
36-17-5
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Observed on lighting above triple sink in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
38-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. 1. Observed old food debris under microwave on counter in kitchen. 2. Observed old food debris on shelving in dry storage cabinet in kitchen. 3. Doors gaskets on two door reach in freezer in kitchen. 4. Door gaskets on both two door reach in coolers in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
23-03-4
47
Jul 17, 2024
Routine - Food
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Insects, Rodents, and Animals Not Present
FL-38
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
67
May 1, 2024
Routine - Food
7 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Basic - Ceiling tiles soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance, in the prep area in the kitchen.
36-34-5
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Frozen raw fish thawing in sealed ROP packaging at the triple sink in the kitchen. Fish still frozen. Operator removed from packaging. **Corrected On-Site**
06-09-1
Basic - Floor tiles in disrepair. Observed cracked tiles throughout the kitchen, prep, and storage area.
36-17-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer in the prep area.
14-69-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Observed above ware wash area.
38-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. 1. Hood filters above cookline. 2. Door gaskets on reach in freezer in the prep area. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Loose faucet and not fully connected to sink at the hand wash sink at the front counter.
29-08-4
70
Feb 27, 2024
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. 1. Hood filters in kitchen. 2. Hood in kitchen. - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-27: Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. 1. Hood filters in kitchen. 2. Hood in kitchen. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-27: Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. 1. Hood filters in kitchen. 2. Hood in kitchen. **Time Extended**
23-03-4
95
Feb 26, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 1. Three live roaches behind hand sink faucet in kitchen. 2. One live roach in storage drawer under hand sink in kitchen. 3. One live roach in boxed foil on counter by hand wash sink in kitchen. 4. One live roach in dry storage cabinet in kitchen. 5. One live roach in water heater pan, next to cook line in kitchen.
35A-05-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chlorine test kit. **Repeat Violation**
16-37-1
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. 1. Hood filters in kitchen. 2. Hood in kitchen.
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Single serve cup stored on floor in kitchen.
25-05-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. 1. Two dead roaches behind hand sink cabinet in kitchen. 2. Three dead roaches in cabinet under hand sink in kitchen. 3. One dead roach next to reach in cooler at the front counter. 4. One dead roach in light shield in kitchen.
35A-03-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bagged rice stored on the floor in kitchen.
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container, scoop inside rice container in kitchen.
10-01-5
61
Oct 3, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. A pan of raw chicken and a pan of raw beef stored over hot dogs and shredded cheese. Operator reorganized. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dish machine chlorine sanitizer solution tested at 0ppm. Observed empty sanitizer solution bottle connected to the dish machine. Operator replaced with filled sanitizer solution bottle. Dishwasher retested at 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
22-41-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Wet wiping cloths and a spoon observed in the handsink at the front counter. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No test kit for chlorine sanitizer.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink in the employee bathroom. Operator provided. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
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. No written plan for salads at the cold buffet. Provided operator Time as Public Health Control. Operator completed and signed form. **Corrective Action Taken**
03F-10-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee bag stored on packaged juices on food storage rack in the kitchen. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease and food debris. 1. Door gaskets on reach in freezer in the kitchen. 2. Dry pantry shelves in the kitchen.
23-03-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Salt in an unlabeled container in the kitchen. Operator labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
43
Apr 13, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dish machine tested at 0ppm. Sanitizer empty. No sanitizer to replace. Establishment has chlorine sanitizer available to set up triple sink. Instructed operator to set up triple sink
22-41-4
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - ready-to-eat food used for multiple menu items, some of which will not be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed employee cutting vegetables with bare hands. Item will be used for cooking and salads. Discussed with operator. Employee washed hands and put gloves on **Corrective Action Taken**
09-19-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef over cooked beef in reach in cooler. Operator reorganized **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Operator provided **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors.
32-04-4
55
Dec 16, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw beef not commercially packaged over French fries in tall reach in freezer- operator stored beef to lower shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 200ppm)- operator corrected to 100PPM chlorine. **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
50-17-2
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. Emailed Big 6 poster to operator- operator printed and posted. **Corrected On-Site**
11-07-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Handwash sink uses to wash dishes at front counter- educated operator- employee stoped washing dishes in sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No chlorine chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of sugar under prep table not labeled- operator labeled. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Pork thawing at room temperature in three compartment sink for 1 hour- operator moved to be cooked.
06-01-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Oil on floor by tall reach in freezer- operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee coffee on prep table in kitchen- operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
39
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Rio's Cafe and Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Rio's Cafe and Grill on file is from Nov 5, 2025. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Rio's Cafe and Grill?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Rio's Cafe and Grill.
How does Rio's Cafe and Grill compare to other restaurants in Pompano Beach?
Rio's Cafe and Grill most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is higher than the Pompano Beach average of 78.
Has Rio's Cafe and Grill's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Rio's Cafe and Grill have averaged around eight violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Rio's Cafe and Grill 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 Rio's Cafe and Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Rio's Cafe and Grill is inspected around four times per year on average.
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