South Miami Café
Last inspected: Feb 17, 2026
43
Score
South Miami Café has been inspected 10 times since 2022. On Feb 17, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A high risk rating points to multiple serious findings at the most recent inspection.
Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around seven violations lately compared to roughly three violations before.
Looking across the full record, “reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface” is the recurring theme, flagged five times.
South Miami Café's latest score of 43 falls below the Miami average of 74. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.
10
Inspections
3
Critical latest
2
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 17, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed cleaning spray stored above dry food in closet. Operator corrected during inspection.
41-10-4
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. Observed raw burger patty's stored above croquettes in reach in freezer in kitchen. Operator corrected during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-17-6
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed hand lotion stored on counter with to go bags and single service straws. Operator corrected during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
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. Observed no form or kit; inspector provided via email. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment.
22-31-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed dust accumulation on vents throughout cafe.
36-34-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed case of water on floor in dry food closet.
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed in ice cream freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed in multiple reach in coolers.
14-33-4
43
Sep 5, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed windex and Lysol stored on same shelf as food and above blenders. Operator segregated for proper storage. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed beef raw patty above guava pastries opened. Operator fixed on site. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed laxative stored on same shelf as seasonings, above triple sink. Operator segregated for proper storage. **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
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. Observed no form or kit; inspector provided via email. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed on knife magnet.
22-31-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed in ice cream freezer at front.
14-69-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed in reach in coolers.
14-33-4
47
Mar 13, 2025
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed a garbage can ,and boxes in front of the kitchen hand washing sink.
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Incorrect chemical test kit provided for measuring the concentration of the sanitizer solution used in the three-compartment sink and/or dishmachine. Observed establishment used chlorine for sanitizer no quaternary.no chlorine test kit onsite
16-32-5
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chlorine test kit onsite.
16-37-1
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed rice pudding, cut fruits prepared onsite with not date marked. Manager date marked the puddings , and the cut fruits. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
64
Nov 14, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
45
Apr 4, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
50
Jan 9, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Dec 5, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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** - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-05: 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** **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed reach in freezer shelves rusted. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-05: Observed reach in freezer shelves rusted. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** **Time Extended**
14-33-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Observed products not included date product was packaged. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-05: Observed boiled eggs and watermelon not date when were packaged. **Time Extended**
02D-03-4
82
Sep 25, 2023
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 5 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed Triple Sink (Chlorine 0 ppm). Operator added chlorine to get 50 ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-42-4
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine + 200 ppm) at front counter. Operator added water to get 100 ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-27-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed garlic in oil (69 F - Cold Holding) at preparation table. As per operator for less than two hours. Operator put the product under ice bath for rapid cooling. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef stored over sweet plantains at reach in cooler. Operator relocated the products. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw shrimp and raw salmon open boxes stored over tequenos and sweet plantains at reach in freezer. Operator relocated the products. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-02-6
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. **Warning**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand wash sink blocked by garbage can. Operator moved the garbage can. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-09-4
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
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. **Warning**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed rice pudding not properly date marked. As per operator were made three days ago. Operator was informed that they need to be date marked. **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed a bag of foam containers stored on floor at storage area. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
25-05-4
Basic - Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Observed products not included date product was packaged. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
02D-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed reach in freezer shelves rusted. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-33-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed sweet plantains thawed at room temperature. Operator moved the product to the reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
06-01-5
Basic - Two employees with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. At cutting boards located front counter. **Warning**
21-12-4
21
Apr 7, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed the triple sink chlorine sanitizing solution concentration at 25ppm Operator corrected the chlorine concentration to 50 ppm **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
22-42-4
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food.
12A-07-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at the front counter hand wash sink
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed no hot water in the mens bathroom. Allowed water to run for at least 4 minutes. Water temperature 79F **Repeat Violation**
27-16-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed the reach in freezer shelves rusted. **Repeat Violation**
14-33-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean.
21-09-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the door of the kitchen reach in cooler by the triple sink soiled
23-03-4
Basic - Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Observed the food prepared and packaged on site for customer self service is lacking the date food was prepared **Repeat Violation**
02D-03-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
21-12-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed a box of white hinged lid containers stored on the floor of the storage room.
25-05-4
Basic - Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. Observed kitchen utensils stored on top of the triple sink with the food contact area facing up.
24-18-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed the scoop handle in the lentil container touching the food.
10-01-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed the shelf of the kitchen reach in cooler by the fries in disrepair
14-11-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
37
Oct 25, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed
FL-27
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
37
Frequently Asked Questions
When was South Miami Café last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at South Miami Café on file is from Feb 17, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at South Miami Café?
Across the inspection record, “reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at South Miami Café.
How does South Miami Café compare to other restaurants in Miami?
South Miami Café most recently scored 43 out of 100, which is lower than the Miami average of 74.
Has South Miami Café's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at South Miami Café have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at South Miami Café 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 South Miami Café inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, South Miami Café is inspected around three times per year on average.
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