Taco Rico
Last inspected: Mar 4, 2026
27
Score
Taco Rico appears in inspection records seven times, starting in 2024. Taco Rico was last inspected on Mar 4, 2026. High risk indicates the latest inspection turned up problems worth knowing about.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around eight violations each.
Across the inspection history, “time/temperature control for safety food” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
Restaurants in Homestead average 70, so Taco Rico trails the local norm. Diners may want to scan the inspection details before deciding to visit.
7
Inspections
3
Critical latest
1
Major latest
15
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 4, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 15 minor violations.
View 19 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked steak (49F - Cold Holding); raw shrimp (47F - Cold Holding) on drawers at cook line, as per employee less than 2 hours. Employee moved food containers to walk in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed yellow rice (89F - Hot Holding) on top of stove, as per employee less than 2 hours. Employee proceeded to reheat food. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed a whole tomatillo dented can on rack at dry storage. Operator segregates can to be discarded.
01B-01-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled seasoning food containers at preparation area.
22-02-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed soiled walk in cooler handle.
23-24-4
Basic - Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty drawer or rack. Observed clean equipment stored on dirty containers on rack across 3 compartment sink. **Corrected On-Site**
24-06-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed soiled white cutting boards under preparation table. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed personal phone on shelves above food across flat grill. Employee removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employee at cook line engaging food preparation wearing a bracelet.
13-07-4
Basic - Floor not cleaned when the least amount of food is exposed. Observed under rack at dry storage area. Also under fryers.
36-01-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Observed scoop handle on top of yellow rice warmer. Employee removed scoop during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
10-06-5
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed spatulas in standing water at 84° F under steam table at kitchen area, employee removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled gaskets in unit across flat grill. Also observed soiled bottom part of preparation table at kitchen area.
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed on clean containers rack across 3 compartment sink.
16-46-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed personal water bottles inside reach in cooler by dry storage.
12B-13-4
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed at kitchen area. **Repeat Violation**
36-02-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed at walk in cooler.
14-17-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed at preparation area behind rack.
36-27-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean.Observed preparation table at kitchen area.
21-09-4
27
Oct 7, 2025
Routine - Food
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
10-20-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed cases of cups stored on the floor inside.
25-05-4
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed kitchen floor unsealed.
36-02-5
82
Mar 18, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed employee touching her phone and continuing to cut onions without changing gloves. Coached employee on proper procedures.
12A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observe dirty glasses inside hand wash sink at front counter, operator removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observe cleaning solution spray bottle not labeled at front counter.
41-17-4
70
Dec 6, 2024
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Observed scoop handle on top of cooked rice. **Corrected On-Site** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-06: Still observed. **Corrected On-Site**
10-06-5
95
Oct 7, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed ground beef (132F - Hot Holding) on steam table, as per employee less than 1 hour. Employee proceeded to reheated. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed sponge and dirty utensils inside HWS at front counter. Also observed container inside HWS next to 3 compartment sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
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. Observed no training for Sarahi and Jenny have been working more than 60 days.
53B-01-5
Basic - Observed desserts not properly identified on reach in cooler at ice cream station.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.
02D-03-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed on diced pineapple container at cook line. Also observed on cut tomatoes container at walk in cooler. Employee removed during inspection.**Corrected On-Site** **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
32-12-5
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Observed personal food inside reach in cooler at kitchen area. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Observed scoop handle on top of cooked rice. **Corrected On-Site**
10-06-5
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed utensils in standing water at 90°F by steam table. **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
22-08-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed raw pork(frozen) inside 3 compartment sink. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed at front counter. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
45
Jun 3, 2024
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cheese sauce (129F - Hot Holding); cheese sauce (166F - Reheating) at preparation area. As per employee less than 3 hours.**Corrected On-Site** **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Establishment conducts non-continuous cooking of raw animal foods without monitoring and documenting initial heating time and temperature, cooling times and temperatures, cold holding temperature and final cooking temperature. Send form to operator.
03C-96-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed dirty containers inside HWS by the back door. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed inside birria sauce container inside walk in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed personal drink on preparation area next to rice warmer. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Observed ice scoop on top of the machine. **Corrected On-Site**
10-12-5
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed cooked shredded beef not covered inside drawers at cook line. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed several WC at kitchen area.
21-12-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed crispy onions, rice and beans containers not identified with common name, at dry storage area. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
52
May 17, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taco Rico last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taco Rico on file is from Mar 4, 2026. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Taco Rico?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Taco Rico.
How does Taco Rico compare to other restaurants in Homestead?
Taco Rico most recently scored 27 out of 100, which is lower than the Homestead average of 70.
Has Taco Rico's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Taco Rico have averaged around eight violations per visit across the recent 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 four times per year on average.
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