Taco Rico
Last inspected: Jan 30, 2026
78
Score
Across the available record, Taco Rico has 10 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Jan 30, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around four violations lately and about eight violations before that.
The pattern that stands out is “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease”, which has been cited seven times.
Restaurants in Miami average 74, so Taco Rico is doing better than most peers. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 30, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed chlorine test kit expired 12/25.
16-37-1
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed small plastic cup used as a scoop inside bin of sour cream.
14-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters at the cook line soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall on right hand side of cook line soiled.
36-27-5
78
Dec 22, 2025
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling tiles in kitchen area in disrepair. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-22: Observed ceiling tiles in kitchen area in disrepair. **Time Extended**
36-32-5
95
Sep 23, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Beatriz Hernandez and Patricia Arias expired June 2025. **Warning**
53B-14-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling tiles in kitchen area in disrepair. **Warning**
36-32-5
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed kitchen utensils stored in standing water at 87F next to cook line. Operator discarded water. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters at the cook line soiled. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed walk in cooler shelves with rust accumulation. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
14-17-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall next to cook line soiled. **Warning**
36-27-5
70
Mar 21, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed a container of aloe cream stored on the kitchen reach in cooler Manager removed container. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
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 - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed food safety certification Andrea Lara expired on 01/30/23
53B-14-5
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. Provided operator with form. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Incorrect chemical test kit provided for measuring the concentration of the sanitizer solution used in the three-compartment sink and/or dishmachine. Establishment use chlorine for sanitizer, manager provided quaternary test kit
16-32-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed interior of oven soiled.
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed under flat grill with heavy soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Observed spicy sauce stored in gallon of vinegar.
25-32-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed tacos stored in reach in freezer not covered. Employee covered tacos. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall soiled in the kitchen area.
36-27-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment. Observed hood filters with heavy soiled.
23-24-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed multiple floor broken tiles in the kitchen area,
36-17-5
41
Dec 10, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
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 100+ppm) in the kitchen, operator remade Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 50ppm).
41-15-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. At the front counter. Operator secured during the inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
51-11-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board in the prep station. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. In the employee bathroom. Operator printed and posted during the inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed fan covers with accumulated dust in the walk in cooler. Observed hood with accumulated grease.
23-03-4
Basic - Observed kitchen cutting board with heavy cut marks.
14-09-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
64
Apr 16, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some 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 2024-04-16: Required employee training expired for some employees. **Time Extended**
53B-14-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling tile in disrepair at cook line. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-16: Observed ceiling tile in disrepair at cook line. **Time Extended**
36-32-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed at front counter near juice machine. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-16: Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed at front counter near juice machine. **Time Extended**
36-22-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters soiled with accumulated grease. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-16: Observed hood filters soiled with accumulated grease. **Time Extended**
23-03-4
78
Apr 12, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked beef (50F - Cold Holding); raw pork (49F - Cold Holding); cut lettuce (52F - Cold Holding) at walk in cooler. As per manager, walk in cooler door was left open for delivery and restocking for less than 30 minutes. **Warning**
03A-02-5
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 chlorine solution at 200 plus ppm at cook line. **Warning**
41-15-5
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning**
53B-14-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling tile in disrepair at cook line. **Warning**
36-32-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed at front counter near juice machine. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-22-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters soiled with accumulated grease. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Observed walk in cooler ambient thermometer in disrepair. Manager placed ambient thermometer inside unit. **Warning**
05-09-4
55
Nov 29, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Tested at 10ppm chlorine and 0ppm quaternary. Manager made new solution. Tested at 50ppm chlorine. **Corrected On-Site**
22-42-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Pico de gallo on self served area 50F, less than 1 hour. Employee added ice to water bath underneath. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Food stuck to tomato dicer on clean dish shelf by three compartment sink. Moved to dish area for cleaning. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Drink on dry storage shelf over blender, next to peppers. Employee removed drink. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Food/grease accumulation on tinfoil between flattops.
23-03-4
61
Mar 9, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 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
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. Observed operator's probe thermometer inoperable.
05-08-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed underneath juice and soda machine at front counter area.
36-22-4
Basic - Old food stuck to clean dishware/utensils. Observed tomato dicer soiled with old food debris at storage shelf at ware washing area.
16-48-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed on container at storage shelf at ware washing area.
16-46-4
70
Sep 26, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Insects, Rodents, and Animals Not Present
FL-38
Food Temperature Measuring Devices Provided and Accurate
FL-46
47
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taco Rico last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taco Rico on file is from Jan 30, 2026. The public record contains 10 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 seven times, more than any other issue at Taco Rico.
How does Taco Rico compare to other restaurants in Miami?
Taco Rico most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is higher than the Miami average of 74.
Has Taco Rico's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Taco Rico have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Taco Rico means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
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