Taco Masala
Last inspected: Jan 14, 2026
43
Score
Public records show 11 inspections at Taco Masala stretching back to 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Jan 14, 2026. A high risk rating points to multiple serious findings at the most recent inspection.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around four violations to closer to seven violations per visit.
“Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled” comes up most often, recorded four times in the inspection record.
Taco Masala's latest score of 43 falls below the Lauderhill average of 75. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
11
Inspections
1
Critical latest
3
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 14, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
43
Aug 14, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
45
Mar 19, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Splitter with attached hoses at mop sink missing vacuum breakers.
29-42-4
High Priority - Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Dishwasher washed, rinsed, sanitized and put up dishes without ever washing hands before handling the clean dishware. Reviewed with manager proper procedures to wash hands before handling the clean dishes.
12A-29-4
Intermediate - Nonfood-grade basting brush used in food. Standard paint brush in container of oil on back prep table.
14-14-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Visible light around bottom right did of back door.
35B-01-4
64
Oct 16, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. 1) Kitchen Counter adjacent to microwave, white rice (84F - Hot Holding); Food under no temperature control for less than 4hrs, operator moved to walk in cooler for quick chill. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. 1)Single door lowboy cooler; cooked chicken (46F - Cold Holding). Per operator foods not portioned or prepared today, in unit less than 4hrs. Operator moved food to walk in cooler for quick chill. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee donned gloves before washing hands **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle next to triple sink with clear substance. Operator labeled water **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee backpacks stored on dry storage rack. Operator removed **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
55
Jun 28, 2024
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Jun 27, 2024
Complaint Full
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Behind the front counter: underneath kitchen flip top; raw shrimp (46F - Cold Holding); raw fish (46F - Cold Holding). Per operator foods portioned and prepared today, in unit less than 3 hours. Moved to WIC for quick chill. **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 1 small roach behind front counter next to cook line area. Operator killed and sanitized the area Observed 2 small live roaches behind front counter next to cook line area, underneath cash register, next to drain. Operator killed and sanitized area Front counter is not a separate area from cook line. **Admin Complaint**
35A-05-4
High Priority - Metal stem-type thermometer soiled. Operator cleaned and sanitized **Corrected On-Site**
22-12-5
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Food server behind front counter served food and removed gloves. Put on new gloves without washing hands and continued serving food.
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked chicken in 2 door lowboy cooler not date marked. Per operator food in unit more than 24 hours. Operator date marked **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee samosa not separate from customer food in 2 door low boy cooler behind front counter. Operator removed samosas **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Multiple employee water bottles in 2 door lowboy cooker behind front counter. Operator disposed of water bottles **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
45
Feb 27, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
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.
53B-01-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not rinsed between washing and sanitizing.
16-16-4
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.
16-13-5
82
Nov 14, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Sanitizer sink reading 0ppm chlorine. Employee remade to proper 100ppm chlorine. **Corrected On-Site**
22-42-4
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. Employees hired less than 60 days do not have signature forms on file. Bulletin provided to manager to have employees sign. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unknown substance in spray bottle by hand sink at front counter missing label. Manager labeled bottle as cleaning solution. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer buckets at front counter reading 10ppm chlorine. Employee corrected to proper 100ppm chlorine. **Corrected On-Site**
21-07-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Old labels on bus pans being used for hot holding.
16-46-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Plastic bowl in bulk container of flour. Manager removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
61
Feb 7, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
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.
11-27-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils.
12B-07-4
Basic - Observed In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board.
21-04-4
82
Dec 7, 2022
Complaint Full
9 critical violations. 8 major violations. 13 minor violations.
View 30 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
50-17-2
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw shrimp stored over cauliflower in standing Frigidaire reach in freezer. Observed raw fish stored over peas and cauliflower in standing Frigidaire reach in freezer in 3 compartment sink area
08A-20-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed chemicals stored with products opened used for cooking, corn starch, baking powder.
41-10-4
High Priority - Wiping cloth chlorine solution exceeding the maximum concentration above 200ppm at cook line allowed stored in a location that could result in the cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles.
41-15-5
High Priority - Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employees touching face, hair to go containers, tickets for food, and return to cooking products without washing hands or wearing gloves.
12A-25-4
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed employee buttering cooked bread, handling raw dough, without gloves or having an AOP to use bare contact.
09-01-4
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed no sanitizing solution set up at any food preparation areas in kitchen area. inspector had employee set up sanitizing solution.
22-45-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed approximately 20-30 or more live flies in dry storage area directly on onions, paper goods, to go silverware, sugar bags opened foil paper. Observed approximately 10-15 live flies landing on cans, can sodas, opened foil catering container and open to go containers in secondary dry storage area.
35A-02-6
High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Observed establishment using molded cleaning towels to shape and mold dough before placing in bread oven.
14-86-1
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.
11-07-5
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. Observed sour cream in walk in cooler not labeled.
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting boards with heavy mold like substance in kitchen area. Observed can opener and blade with heavy mold like substance build up.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at hand washing sink located in 3 compartment sink kitchen area next to prep table.
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Observed Hand-wash sink not accessible with bucket of water in sink at front counter for employee use at all times. Employee removed bucket from sink. Observed bag of onions in front of hand washing sink in kitchen area and towels hanging off sink.
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Observed No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink in kitchen area next to prep table.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed chicken masala, tofu, chick peas, rice pudding , vegetable balls egg plant,chicken curry, cooked potatoes, cooked chicken thighs,, cooked vegetables all prepared more than 24 hours per operator not labelled
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle unlabeled in dining room. Operator labeled bottle.
41-17-4
Basic - Food stored in a location that is exposed to splash/dust. Observed peeled onions stored on prep table beside 3 compartment sink in use exposed to splash from dirty wash sink area.
08B-36-4
Basic - Fly sticky tape hanging over food/food preparation area/food-contact equipment. Observed approximately 100 dead flies attached to sticky rapid fly adhesive tape over onions and gallons of oil stored in dry storage area. Observed approximately 50 dead flies attached to sticky rapid fly adhesive tape in 3 compartment sink area over dry storage located in 3 compartment sink area.
35B-08-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
35B-01-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet wiping cloth cloth throughout not stored in sanitizing solution. No sanitizing solution set up.
21-12-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee beverages throughout establishment on prep tables and counters throughout.
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee in food preparation not wearing hair restraint.
13-03-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
Basic - Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Observed produce onions not washed before prep.
08B-39-4
Basic - Observed Working containers of white cashew, rice removed from original container not identified by common name. Operator labeled products **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance.
36-34-5
Basic - Observed Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination.
25-06-4
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 handle of scoop directly touching sugar at cook station.
10-01-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed case of cabbage, margarine stored on floor in walk in cooler.
08B-38-4
6
Aug 2, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 12 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 employee portioning sauce without gloves and touching inside of container. Operator discarded containers. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-13-4
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.
11-07-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener blade with mold accumulation.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed all TCS foods,cooked lamb, curry chicken, chicken tikka, cooked spinach,cooked chicken peas, cooked sauce, cooked vegetables from 48hours Sunday 7/31 not labeled in walk-in cooler .
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed bleach and disinfectant in clear bottles not labeled
41-17-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee beverages on counters, prep table by hand washing sink.
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation in prep area.
13-03-4
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 In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container directly touching rice, sugar in prep area.
10-01-5
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed single service to go items located at front counter not inverted.
25-06-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
21-12-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed Working containers of salt removed from original container not identified by common name.
02D-01-5
41
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taco Masala last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taco Masala on file is from Jan 14, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Taco Masala?
Across the inspection record, “spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Taco Masala.
How does Taco Masala compare to other restaurants in Lauderhill?
Taco Masala most recently scored 43 out of 100, which is lower than the Lauderhill average of 75.
Has Taco Masala's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Taco Masala have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Taco Masala 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 Taco Masala inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Taco Masala is inspected around three times per year on average.
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