The Empanadas

20800 Biscayne Blvd, Aventura, FL 33180

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Dec 30, 2025

Score

Low Risk

The health department has logged seven inspections at The Empanadas, the earliest from 2022. The most recent report on file is from Dec 30, 2025. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.

Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near two violations each time.

The pattern that stands out is “no soap provided at handwash sink”, which has been cited four times.

Among Aventura restaurants, the typical score is 76; The Empanadas is comfortably above that bar. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Dec 30, 2025

Routine - Food

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Basic - Observed cases of bread stored on floor in walk in cooler.

08B-38-4

Jul 22, 2025

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 2 major violations.

View 3 violations

High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Observed employee take customer order touching POS machine then proceed to serve customer empanadas from heat cabinet without washing hands first. **Warning**

12A-16-4

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. **Warning**

53B-01-5

Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Located at front counter hand washing sink. **Warning**

31B-03-4

Feb 7, 2025

Routine - Food

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels

FL-14

Jul 30, 2024

Routine - Food

1 major violation.

View 1 violation

Toilet Rooms Maintained

FL-53

Jan 11, 2024

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 2 major violations.

View 3 violations

High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. As of 10/1/23.

50-17-3

Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Located behind front counter. Person in charge added. **Corrected On-Site**

31B-03-4

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed various employee items being stored in hand washing sink behind front counter. Employee removed. **Corrected On-Site**

31A-11-4

Jul 26, 2023

Routine - Food

5 major violations. 1 minor violation.

View 6 violations

Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.

05-08-4

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. Discussed and emailed form to operator. **Corrective Action Taken**

11-26-1

Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Located behind front counter.

31B-03-4

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. Discussed and emailed form to operator. **Corrective Action Taken**

11-27-4

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Located behind front counter and in kitchen area. Person in charge added. **Corrected On-Site**

31B-02-4

Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed cases of water being stored on floor in walk in cooler.

08B-38-4

Jul 11, 2022

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 1 minor violation.

View 6 violations

High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Observed employee take customer order and money, employee then put on gloves and served customer without washing hands. **Warning**

12A-16-4

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed frame and container of pens being stored in hand washing sink. Located in front. **Warning**

31A-09-4

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Located behind front counter or prep area. **Warning**

31B-02-4

53B-01-5

Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Located behind front counter. **Warning**

31B-03-4

Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Located behind front counter. **Warning**

31B-04-4

Show all 7 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was The Empanadas last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at The Empanadas on file is from Dec 30, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at The Empanadas?

Across the inspection record, “no soap provided at handwash sink” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at The Empanadas.

How does The Empanadas compare to other restaurants in Aventura?

The Empanadas most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Aventura average of 76.

Has The Empanadas' inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Empanadas have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at The Empanadas 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 The Empanadas inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, The Empanadas is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Joey Aventura

19505 Biscayne Blvd Ste 1150

Score: 90 — Low Risk

Salt & Straw

19505 Biscayne Blvd Ste 2155

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Jarana

19505 Biscayne Blvd Ste 5150

Score: 50 — High Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Aventura → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Florida → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Aventura