Taco Rico
Last inspected: Jan 8, 2026
52
Score
The health department has logged eight inspections at Taco Rico, the earliest from 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Jan 8, 2026. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near 11 violations each time.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease”, showing up four times.
Compared to other Miami restaurants (averaging 74), there's room to close the gap. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
11
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 8, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 11 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed flans, tres leches made onsite with not date marked. Manager put date on flans, tres leches **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment. Observed printers in the kitchen area with heavy soiled.
23-24-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed ceiling vents inside of the oven soiled. **Repeat Violation**
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed ceiling vents under flat grill with heavy soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed standing water inside of a prep reach in cooler in front of the stove.
29-49-6
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed tacos not covered inside of the white chest freezer. Operator covered tacos. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed walk in cooler shelves with rust **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed walls soiled in the kitchen area. **Repeat Violation**
36-27-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling vents soiled in the kitchen area.
36-34-5
52
Jul 8, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Employee touched bare body part and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee washing hands, then drying them on clothing before putting on gloves. Discussed and reinforced proper methods with the operator to ensure compliance with standard practices. Employee washed hands. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-10-4
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken stored over raw pork in flip top reach in cooler located at cooking line. During the inspection employee removed items and placed them correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed Triple Sink (Chlorine 0ppm). During the inspection employee set up Triple Sink (Chlorine 100ppm). **Corrected On-Site**
22-42-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener soiled. During the inspection employee cleaned it. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed corrosion on the bottom surface of the preparation table
22-31-4
Basic - Abrasives and detergents not removed during the rinse process.
16-10-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not rinsed between washing and sanitizing. Discussed and coached employee in proper methods. Employee washed utensils. **Corrective Action Taken**
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. Discussed and coached employee in proper methods.
16-13-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed flip top reach in cooler gaskets torn.
14-11-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris, throughout the kitchen areas.
36-73-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
22-08-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust, throughout the kitchen areas.
36-27-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
32
Jan 10, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed rust on shelves where dry food and clean dishes are kept. Observed surface rust on knife magnet.
22-31-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed soiled ceiling tiles and air vent in kitchen area.
36-34-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup in all 3 chest freezers in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed exterior of microwave soiled in kitchen.
23-03-4
78
Aug 27, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand sink with food bucket on top of it next to three compartment sink.
31A-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 bag stored on top of sodas
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed boxes of sour cream stored on floor of walk in cooler
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed buildup in both reach in freezers in back of kitchen.
14-69-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Manager closed lid after observation. **Corrected On-Site**
33-16-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed soiled wall in back of kitchen next to exit
36-27-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet cloth on floor by exit in back of kitchen.
21-12-4
67
Apr 1, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
41
Jan 17, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 16 minor violations.
View 20 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed 2 cans dented. 6 lbs and 9 oz of ground tomatoes and 6 lbs and 3 oz of Nachos de Chile Jalapeños. Owner discarded product.
01B-01-4
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.
29-42-4
Intermediate - Probe thermometer not accurate within plus or minus 2 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed probe thermometer reaching 34.8 F.
05-06-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener soiled.
22-02-4
Basic - Light not functioning. Observed light bulb not functioning located above walk in cooler.
36-62-4
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Observed light fixture with missing shield located above all in cooler.
38-07-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster.
33-11-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed microwave soiled in kitchen located in front of steam table and hood filters soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Observed dumpster lids open. Owner closed lids to dumpster. **Corrected On-Site**
33-16-4
Basic - Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Observed reused container of horchata used to stored dressing.
25-32-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed container of prepped taquitos inside reach in freezer not covered.
08B-12-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall soiled around kitchen area near stove and grill, and wall soiled above 3 compartment sink.
36-27-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed wet mop stored in mop bucket in front of mop sink. Owner stored mop to dry. **Corrected On-Site**
42-01-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed squeeze bottles with sauces not labeled and observed containers with spices not labeled.
02D-01-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed walk in cooler door handle soiled.
23-24-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling tiles and vents soiled in kitchen area.
36-34-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
35B-01-4
Basic - Fly sticky tape hanging over food/food preparation area/food-contact equipment. Observed fly sticky tape over dry storage area. Owner removed sticky tape and discarded them. **Corrected On-Site**
35B-08-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup in reach in freezer next to fryer.
14-69-4
27
Jun 27, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
47
Jul 20, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 7 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 cooked beef (109F - Hot Holding) stored at room temperature as per operator less than 1 hour, operator placed food in the freezer. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Wiping cloth solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed stored in a location that could result in the cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Observed Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 200ppm) in the kitchen area.
41-15-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense cut onions inside the walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed lid broken inside the walk in cooler.
14-11-5
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed containers with chips at the front counter.
08B-47-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hand washing sink soiled with food debris.
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.
16-46-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed chicken flautas with no cover inside the reach in freezer.
08B-12-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry located in the dishwasher area. **Corrected On-Site**
42-01-4
52
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taco Rico last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taco Rico on file is from Jan 8, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Taco Rico?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Taco Rico.
How does Taco Rico compare to other restaurants in Miami?
Taco Rico most recently scored 52 out of 100, which is lower than the Miami average of 74.
Has Taco Rico's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Taco Rico have averaged around 11 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 two times per year on average.
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