Taco Rico
Last inspected: Mar 30, 2026
37
Score
Public records show 10 inspections at Taco Rico stretching back to 2022. The most recent visit was on Mar 30, 2026. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.
Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around seven violations per visit lately, up from roughly three violations before.
“Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
By comparison, the average Cutler Bay facility scores 70, putting Taco Rico on the weaker side. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
3
Major latest
11
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 30, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 15 violations
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. Observed employee removed watch and failed to wash hands.
12A-29-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener soiled. Employee took it to the 3 compartment sink. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed at the hand wash sink by the 3 compartment sink.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed surface rust of shelf across the 3 compartment sink.
22-31-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed multiples drinks stored above preparation table. Employee removed the drinks. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed a cell phone stored above vinegar bottles. Employee removed it. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed operator wearing a watch while preparing food. Operator removed it. **Corrected On-Site**
13-07-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler door gaskets torn at the front line.
14-11-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed both mop inside the bucket.
42-01-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet wiping cloth on preparation table. Operator removed it. **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed tacos and sweet plantains stored inside the reach in feeezer not covered.
08B-12-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed ceiling over prep 3 compartment sink not smooth and easily cleaned. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed AC vents with accumulated dust.
36-34-5
37
Dec 29, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Oct 3, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
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/ Observed four employees at time of inspection without a certified manager present. **Warning**
53A-05-6
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed interior of ice machine soiled. **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed ceiling to,es over prep and warewashing area not smooth and easily cleaned. **Warning**
36-37-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed two cases of plastic water bottles on the floor at dry storage. **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler / Walk in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed interior of reach in cooler under flattop griddle at cook line soiled with food debris. Observed shelves at walk in cooler soiled with debris. **Warning**
22-16-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed two wet wiping cloths left on cutting board at cook line. Employee stored in sanitizer bucket. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
21-12-4
70
Mar 4, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
61
Nov 20, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
78
Mar 28, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Feb 13, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In the freezer in cooler observed raw beef over cooked chicken.
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In the walk in cooler observed cut tomatoes (43F - Cold Holding); cut lettuce (45F - Cold Holding); cheese (46F - Cold Holding); flan (43F - Cold Holding); cooked beef (45F - Cold Holding), as per manager for less than 2 hours he also stated that the walk in cooler door was kept open for a while during the rush hour, instructed manager to keep walk in cooler door closed and open walk in freezer door to rapidly cool down the food product. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed employee washed his hands at the three compartment sink, coached employee and manager on proper hand washing. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-03-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. No hand soap at hand sink located at front counter.
31B-03-4
61
Nov 30, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
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. In the walk in cooler observed raw chicken over raw beef.
08A-17-6
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed cleaning disinfectant stored on top of the ice machine.
41-10-4
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. Owner printer form on site **Repeat Violation**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener
22-02-4
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. Owner printer form and completed it on site **Repeat Violation**
11-26-1
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. In the storage are under the front counter observed a coat, small backpack above beverages.
40-06-5
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed cooking oil stored on the floor in the dry storage area
08B-47-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer bucket 0 ppm, manager replaced water with 100 ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
21-08-4
45
Feb 6, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At front counter in a container in ice observed cut tomatoes (47 F - Cold Holding), As per manager for less than 4 hours. Employee added ice to bring the temperature down. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. HWS blocked by a large garbage can.
31A-09-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed boxes with shrimp stored in the walk in freezer floor.
08B-47-4
74
Aug 30, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. In refrigerated drawers underneath the flat grill in the kitchen observed raw chicken over cooked pork. Employee placed raw chicken under cooked pork on site. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.
29-42-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taco Rico last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taco Rico on file is from Mar 30, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Taco Rico?
Across the inspection record, “wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Taco Rico.
How does Taco Rico compare to other restaurants in Cutler Bay?
Taco Rico most recently scored 37 out of 100, which is lower than the Cutler Bay average of 70.
Has Taco Rico's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Taco Rico 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 Taco Rico 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 Rico inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Taco Rico is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants