Salsas Mexican Restaurant
Last inspected: Mar 16, 2026
20
Score
Salsas Mexican Restaurant appears in inspection records 10 times, starting in 2022. Salsas Mexican Restaurant was last inspected on Mar 16, 2026. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.
Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around 16 violations lately compared to roughly nine violations before.
“Stored food not covered” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing five times across the record.
Compared to other Palatka restaurants (averaging 75), there's room to close the gap. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.
10
Inspections
4
Critical latest
4
Major latest
12
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 16, 2026
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 major violations. 12 minor violations.
View 20 violations
High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Multiple use wiping cloth no food grade used to wrap tortillas on cook line. Discussed with operator.
14-86-1
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. In flip top reach in cooler, ceviche date marked 3/4. Operator discussed with employee to discard.
01B-24-5
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. Beef broth identified in time as public health control written procedures missing product time marking label. Discussed with operator. **Corrective Action Taken**
03F-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In glass door warming cabinet, queso (110F - Hot Holding) employee removed to grill to reheat. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on cook line with food residue staining build up. Tubing of bulk ice bin with mold like substance on casing. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink used to store soiled wiping cloth on wait station side of passenger through. Operator removed wiping cloth. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand wash sink on cook line. Operator provided paper towels. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. In walk in cooler prepared shredded beef previously frozen with no added date for when placed back into refrigeration. Discussed with operator.
02C-04-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl used as scoop in bulk sugar container.
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Mold like substance observed on ceiling air vent by rear exterior door and three compartment sink. Dust on surrounding ceiling tile.
36-34-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. On shelf of warewashing area, clean containers stacked while wet. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Plastic container of marinade stored on floor of walk in cooler. Operator had employee relocate. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. Build up of garbage on dumpster pad in enclosure.
33-19-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. On cook line, knives stored between prep table and reach in cooler. Operator relocated. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Burned food debris on bottom plate of microwave over steam table.
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Bulk ice bin vent cover with dust build up.
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. In walk in cooler, uncovered pork carnitas. In walk in freezer multiple uncovered trays of chile rellenos. **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Frozen beef steak thawing at ambient air temperature on shelf by rear exterior door. Operator discussed relocating so walk in cooler or to cook line to be prepared with employee. **Corrective Action Taken**
06-01-5
Basic - Utensils in poor condition. On shelf opposite dish machine, bowl stacked with chipped edges. **Repeat Violation**
14-12-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Pipe under three compartment sink leaking water on to floor around drain.
29-11-4
20
Jul 21, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found. Observed two live flies on the back warewashing line.
35A-02-7
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In warming cabinet, queso (109F - Hot Holding) operator placed back on stove top to reheat.
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on flip top reach in cooler stained with food residue. Bulk ice bin with mold like substance on the hose and top plate. Wait station soda bun with debris in the nozzle. Operator cleaned. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled chemical spray bottle of bleach. Operator labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on shelf over steam table. Operator relocated. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
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, operator relocated. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. On shelves of back warewashing line, clean containers stacked while wet. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Jug of fryer oil stored on the floor of the cookline. Chicken bouillon container on floor of dry storage, operator relocated. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Knives stored between reach in cooler and steam table in crack and tongs stored on oven door handles. Operator relocated. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-02-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. On warming cabinet single service single service Tina not inverted or covered.
25-05-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Uncovered chile rellenos and empanada in the walk in freezer, operator covered. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Utensils in poor condition. Knife on cook line with melted handle.
14-12-4
41
Jan 17, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 12 minor violations.
View 17 violations
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. In the walk in cooler two containers of ceviche, one from 12/29/2024 and one from 12/09/2024. Operator discarded. **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-24-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In the table top reach in cooler at pass through window, cut tomatoes in shallow container not touching cooling plate, cut tomatoes (48F - Cold Holding) discussed with operator to switch to deeper pan so container touches cooling plate. Operator switched out the cut tomatoes. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food held using time as a public health control not discarded at the end of the 4-hour/6-hour period. See stop sale. On the char grill, steak, chicken and carnitas marked with time of 11:07 and held on time as public health control not discarded at end of 4 hours. Operator had employee discard. **Corrective Action Taken**
03F-04-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Waitstation soda gun has syrup build up in nozzle. Cook line cutting board on reach in cooler has food residue staining.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink on cook line used to dump drink as evident by ice in hand wash sink at beginning of inspection.
31A-11-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Metal pan used as a scoop for Birria in walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling vent over pass through area with dust build up.
36-34-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Blue ice buckets not stored inverted or covered when not in use.
24-05-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on in use prep table. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. In walk in beer cooler, employee personal food with drink mixes for bar drinks.
08B-49-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employees phone on prep table on cook line. Employees jacket on soda syrup boxes. Operator relocated the personal items. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. On shelves of warewashing area, clean plastic containers stacked while wet. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Fryer oil stored on the floor of the cook line. Operator relocated. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Tongs stored on cook line oven door handle. Knife stored between flip top reach in cooler and steam well prep table. Operator relocated all utensils. **Corrected On-Site**
10-02-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Dumpster lid open. **Repeat Violation**
33-16-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. In the walk in freezer uncovered chile rellonos on sheet tray. In walk in cooler uncovered contained of cooked black beans. **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Bulk salt container missing labeling. Operator labeled. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
29
Jul 11, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 8 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
26
Oct 12, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
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. Some employees missing proof of employee training. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-12: Operator on open administrative complaint. Need more time to train. **Time Extended**
53B-13-5
90
Oct 11, 2023
Routine - Food
8 critical violations. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Vitamins stored on shelf over steam table. Person in charge removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
41-07-4
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. One can of pie filling with dent along seam. Person in charge states no longer uses product.
01B-01-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 11 flying insects in bar area. Observed 6 flying insects near bag in box soda in kitchen. Observed 5 flying insects near side cart in hallway at side cart. Observed 2 flying insects in dishwash area. Observed 2 flying insects at mop sink. Observed approximately 30 flying insects in external dry storage closet with onion storage. **Warning**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw bacon stored over prepped lemons in walk in cooler. Person in charge removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. One live roach observed on cooler in kitchen. Person in charge killed and discarded. **Warning**
35A-05-4
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed employee wash gloved hands, then return to cookline, instead of removing gloves and washing hands.
12A-09-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Enchiladas at hot holding station at 79F. Person in charge states has been out less than 4 hours. Person in charge moved to walk in freezer. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Vacuum breaker in incorrect location at mop sink. Needs to be relocated to non chemical side of splitter with hose attached.
29-42-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Debris buildup in soda nozzles at the bar and in margarita machine.
22-02-4
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. Some employees missing proof of employee training. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
53B-13-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Two spray bottles with blue and yellow liquid unlabeled. Person in charge labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer bucket at 0ppm. Person in charge discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
21-08-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Multiple items in walk in cooler uncovered. Personal items not segregated in beverage walk in cooler, in walk in freezer from food to be served to customers. Person in charge began rearranging. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Framing around keg pipes in beverage walk in cooler with damage, heavy mold like substance buildup. Ceiling vents in kitchen with dust buildup. Beverage walk in cooler walls with mold like substance buildup.
36-24-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Shelving where clean dishware is stored with debris buildup. Walk in cooler fan with debris buildup. Shelf below grill with debris buildup.
23-03-4
18
Jul 11, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed approximately 4 flying insects in kitchen area. Observed approximately 5 flying insects in external storage closet with food storage. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-11: Observed two flying insects in kitchen during inspection, Observed one flying insect in external storage closet with food. Person in charge has added fans to both areas. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken**
35A-02-6
86
Jul 7, 2023
Routine - Food
7 critical violations. 5 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 22 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed approximately 4 flying insects in kitchen area. Observed approximately 5 flying insects in external storage closet with food storage. **Warning**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In walk in cooler raw steak stored over corn and spinach. Also, raw chicken stored over steak in walk in cooler. Also, in walk in freezer raw fish no longer commercially packaged stored on enchiladas with cooked filling. Person in charge began rearranging. **Corrective Action Taken**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Beans in walk in cooler dated 6/30.
01B-24-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In drawers at cooktop corn, chicken, spinach at 47-52F. Person in charge states has had drawers open frequently. In fliptop cheese, sour cream at 51-54F. Person in charge states lids have been open for approximately 3 hrs. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Cheese at 119F, beans in oven at 118F. Person in charge began reheating. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Wastewater on ground of establishment. Drain at dishmachine not properly draining, observed large amount of wastewater on the floor. Person in charge began removing, snaked drain during inspection. Is draining correctly by end of inspection. Employee sanitized floor. **Corrected On-Site**
28-13-5
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Ointment stored on shelf with food items and utensils. Person in charge removed. **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Pan in hand wash sink at dishmachine. Spoon at hand wash sink at cookline. Observed employee wring out towel in hand wash sink at server line.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. Person in charge unable to provide thermometer during inspection.
05-08-4
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. Some employees working 3 months per person in charge with no proof of training. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
53B-13-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Items in walk in cooler made 2-3 days ago with old labels per person in charge.
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink at cookline inaccessible due to broken handle, unable to wash hands with hot water at sink. **Warning**
31A-09-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. In walk in freezer multiple items stored uncovered.
08B-12-5
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Old labels on clean dishware. **Repeat Violation**
16-46-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. At all ice bins, handles touching ice. Person in charge moved to appropriate location. Also, utensils at bar in water at 64F. Also, tongs stored on oven door. **Corrective Action Taken**
10-08-5
Basic - Inside/outside of dumpster not clean. Side of shared dumpster with food debris buildup on left side, attracting large amount of flying insects, also lid open.
33-10-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine chute with mold like substance buildup. Soda nozzles in bar and at server line with debris buildup. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Cups at server station wet nesting. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Knife in use with end of blade broken. Person in charge removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-11-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Tiles missing by back door.
36-17-5
Basic - Fly sticky tape hanging over food/food preparation area/food-contact equipment. Sticky fly trap stored on bag in box soda. Person in charge removed. **Corrected On-Site**
35B-08-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar at server line unlabeled.
02D-01-5
13
Jan 24, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations.
View 2 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
74
Sep 7, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. To go bags in direct contact with tortillas. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-07: Observed one bag of tortillas on plate in bag unwrapped with bag touching tortillas on side. **Admin Complaint**
14-31-5
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach in cooler drawers below cooktop shrimp, tomato at 45-46F. Person in charge states drawers have been open repeatedly for lunch rush. In fliptop reach in cooler sour cream, tomato, corn, tamale 48-52F. Ambient temperature of unit is 48F during inspection. Lids open during inspection. Person in charge turned unit down during inspection. In walk in cooler rice, beef at 45-48F. Person in charge provided invoice from Rafael Produce dated 9/6/22. All other items in unit 43F or below. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-07: In reach in cooler drawers items below 43F. In fliptop items are 43-62F. Have been in unit overnight per person in charge cheese, lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, pico, tomato, cabbage, salsa, chicken, beef, corn, shrimp, tamales, eggs, Mac and cheese. Do not utilize unit until it is holding temperature and foods items are at 41F or below. In walk in cooler all cold holding items 43F or below. Items cooling overnight 47-51F beans and soup. **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Vacuum breaker is located in incorrect location at mop sink, needs to be moved to left side of splitter with black hose attached. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-07: No change. **Admin Complaint**
29-42-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Misrepresentation of a fruit or fruit juice. Establishment has drink menu indicating fresh lime juice and fresh orange juice is utilized in their margaritas. When I inquired about what establishment is utilizing, they provided bottled orange and bottled lime juice. Person in charge states they used to squeeze their own juice, no longer do. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-07: Menu has not been changed. Person in charge states they will start squeezing limes and orange juice by hand. **Time Extended**
52-02-4
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Salsas Mexican Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Salsas Mexican Restaurant on file is from Mar 16, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Salsas Mexican Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “stored food not covered” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Salsas Mexican Restaurant.
How does Salsas Mexican Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Palatka?
Salsas Mexican Restaurant most recently scored 20 out of 100, which is lower than the Palatka average of 75.
Has Salsas Mexican Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Salsas Mexican Restaurant have averaged around 16 violations per visit, up from roughly nine earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Salsas Mexican Restaurant 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 Salsas Mexican Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Salsas Mexican Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
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