The Empanada's Downtown

230 Ne 4 St Ste 103, Miami, FL 33132

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Aug 11, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

Inspectors have visited The Empanada's Downtown eight times, with records going back to 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Aug 11, 2025. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.

Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near four violations per visit.

“No soap provided at handwash sink” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.

The Empanada's Downtown's latest score is in line with the Miami average of 74. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Aug 11, 2025

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. The employee was taught how to wash hands properly. **Corrective Action Taken**

12A-07-5

Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Plastic bottle of degreaser not labeled. Located under over.

41-17-4

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Kitchen.

36-34-5

Jan 31, 2025

Routine - Food

2 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Front counter area. Operator provided during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**

31B-03-4

Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Quaternary.

16-37-1

Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Front counter area. Operator removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

10-08-5

Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.

42-01-4

Oct 4, 2024

Routine - Food

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Observed reach in cooler in disrepair temperature 48f. - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-04: Still observed reach in cooler #4 in disrepair located kitchen. Temperature 50°f **Time Extended**

14-74-7

Jul 22, 2024

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 7 violations

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed shells eggs over unwashed oranges. Located front counter area. Operator stored properly during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

08A-04-5

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed Metal trays inside hand wash sink. Operator removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**

31A-09-4

Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Quaternary.

16-37-1

Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Located front counter area. Operator provided during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

31B-03-4

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.

53B-01-5

Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Observed reach in cooler in disrepair temperature 48°f.

14-74-7

Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.

50-09-4

Jan 24, 2024

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 5 violations

High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Admin Complaint**

50-17-3

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed metal tray block hand wash sink kitchen also blender inside hand wash sink front counter area. Operator removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**

31A-09-4

Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Operator provided form during inspection.

31B-03-4

Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.

50-09-4

Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.

42-01-4

Jun 14, 2023

Routine - Food

1 major violation.

View 1 violation

Food Obtained from Approved Sources

FL-11

Dec 2, 2022

Routine - Food

No violations found.

100

Nov 18, 2022

Routine - Food

2 major violations. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. Provided form at time of inspection.

11-07-5

Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.

53B-13-5

Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Front counter area.

31B-04-4

Show all 8 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was The Empanada's Downtown last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at The Empanada's Downtown on file is from Aug 11, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at The Empanada's Downtown?

Across the inspection record, “no soap provided at handwash sink” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at The Empanada's Downtown.

How does The Empanada's Downtown compare to other restaurants in Miami?

The Empanada's Downtown most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is about the same as the Miami average of 74.

Has The Empanada's Downtown's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Empanada's Downtown have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at The Empanada's Downtown means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

How often is The Empanada's Downtown inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, The Empanada's Downtown is inspected around three times per year on average.

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