Taco Rico
Last inspected: Dec 3, 2025
52
Score
Going back to 2022, Taco Rico has nine inspections in the public record. Taco Rico was last inspected on Dec 3, 2025. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near six violations per visit.
“Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
The city-wide average sits at 74, which Taco Rico's 52 doesn't quite reach. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
3
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 3, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed at mop sink that has a splitter installed.
29-42-4
Intermediate - Equipment drain line draining into handwash sink. Observed water heater drain line installed to drain into hand sink in kitchen.
31A-10-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed for hand sink at entrance of kitchen blocked by trash can. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed for containers of beans, rice, birria sauce in walk in cooler not dated.
02C-02-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed in a container of corn salsa.
14-01-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed stored on cook line oven door handle. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed at kitchen prep area on top of microwave a tray of taco shells stored uncovered. Operator covered with plastic wrap. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Observed sanitizer bucket stored on the floor under hand washing sink at entrance to kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
21-38-4
52
Jul 14, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels in women's restroom. Operator provided paper towels. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup up in white chest reach in freezer next to three compartment sink.
14-69-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs stored on oven door handles.
10-20-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid.
33-16-4
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observed Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 0ppm). Operator added sanitizer Final solution Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 100ppm).
21-07-4
Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Observed sanitizer bucket stored on the floor under hand washing sink at entrance to kitchen. Operator stored sanitizer bucket properly. **Corrected On-Site**
21-38-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed food residue on microwave handle.
23-24-4
67
Jan 10, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle containing degreaser without label at mop sink station. Operator labeled bottles. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed bowl inside corn mix container inside walk in cooler. Operator removed the bowl. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed across cook line.
14-09-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed aluminum containers not inverted on shelves over prep area. Operator inverted containers. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed taco flautas stored inside chest freezer not covered. **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
74
Jul 11, 2024
Complaint Full
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
16
Mar 13, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jan 5, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 4 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. Observed for Alejandro F,Elio G, Dailen H, Luam M, Yulieys C. as per operator all working at the establishment for more than 2 months. **Warning**
53B-14-5
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. No battery. **Warning**
05-08-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed for the gravy. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
14-01-5
Basic - Employee preparing food in customer section of dining area. Observed employee packaging chunky salsa in main dining area. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-48-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler gaskets soiled with accumulation of food debris.,**Corrected On-Site** **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Walk -in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-16-4
67
Jul 20, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed chlorine strength at greater than 200ppm,operator diluted to 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Observed cardboard used as separator between taquitos,flautas located in the reach in chest freezer. **Corrected On-Site**
14-86-1
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed raw beef stored in shopping bag located in the walk-in cooler. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-31-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Kitchen: yellow rice ,as per operator about an hour ago operator place in walk-in cooler for cold holding. (107F - Hot Holding) **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed vents at the front counter above reach in cooler.
36-34-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed for chest unit by the walk-in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed interior of microwave oven soiled with encrusted food debris. **Corrected On-Site**
22-08-4
Basic - Walk -in cooler shelves have accumulation of food debris. **Corrected On-Site**
22-16-4
45
Jan 27, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed parsley stored in shopping bag located in the walk-in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
14-31-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed ice chute soiled with mold like substance,frontline. **Corrected On-Site**
22-20-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed in the chest freezer by the fryers, by the walk-in cooler.
14-69-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed in the kitchen togo food containers not inverted. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Observed fan covers in walk-in cooler soiled with accumulation dust.
36-50-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed by the 3 compartment sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
36-27-5
67
Jul 15, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener blade soiled with accumulation encrusted food. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
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. Observed by the 3 compartment sink. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
36-27-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed bag containing onions stored on the floor of the walk-in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler gaskets soiled with accumulation food debris,prep unit. Observed shelf above prep sink soiled with accumulation grease and food debris. **Corrected On-Site**
23-03-4
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taco Rico last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taco Rico on file is from Dec 3, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Taco Rico?
Across the inspection record, “bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food” has been cited three 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 six 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 three times per year on average.
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