Vida Cocina & Tequila
Last inspected: Dec 22, 2025
100
Score
Across the available record, Vida Cocina & Tequila has 10 inspections on file, the first dated 2023. The newest entry in the record is dated Dec 22, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around nine violations to closer to five violations per visit.
“Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing two times across the record.
Compared to the broader Altamonte Springs restaurant scene, where the average is 76, this is a stronger showing. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 22, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Dec 19, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
35
Jul 16, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. -facility using sushi rice. Discussed options with kitchen staff, provided printed copy of Time Plan. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-16: Time plan completed. Current batch of sushi rice not discarded at 4 hours, operator will follow plan. **Time Extended** **Corrective Action Taken**
03F-10-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. -strainers in hand wash sink at bar. Employee removed. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-16: **Time Extended**
31A-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food stored on floor. -case of food on floor in walk-in freezer not from todays delivery. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-16: **Time Extended**
08B-38-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. -green handled knife on cook line. Removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-16: Yellow handled knife between equipment. Removed **Time Extended** **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. -open cup of coffee above cook line cooler. Employee removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-16: Open cups of water on cook line. Employee removed. **Time Extended** **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
70
May 14, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found. -3 small flying insects on inside of bar windows. **Warning**
35A-02-7
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. -raw chicken over empanadas in walk-in cooler, raw chorizo over limes. Items relocated. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. -strainers in hand wash sink at bar. Employee removed. **Warning**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. -facility has QR code menus only. Tuna and salmon on sushi menu in multiple items, tilapia and trio ceviche, over easy and sunny side up eggs need to be identified as raw. May be marked with asterisk that is at beginning of menu's consumer advisory. **Warning**
02B-01-5
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/. -CFM arrived during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
53A-05-6
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. -no soap at either hand wash sink behind bar. **Warning**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. -facility using sushi rice. Discussed options with kitchen staff, provided printed copy of Time Plan. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03F-10-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. -open cup of coffee above cook line cooler. Employee removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Presetting of unwrapped silverware and/or tableware outdoors. -plates not inverted pre-set on outside tables. Silverware is wrapped, cups are inverted. **Warning**
24-01-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. -green handled knife on cook line. Removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-17-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. -case of food on floor in walk-in freezer not from todays delivery. **Warning**
08B-38-4
37
Dec 17, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. 7 thawed sealed packs of MAHI, packs state keep frozen, open before use Large Ice bin front bar used for drinks has bottles of wine stored in ice
01B-13-4
High Priority - Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Shell eggs temp 74°: per manager eggs put less than 4 hours, moved to refrigerator for immediate temperature recovery **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-03-5
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 manager with form **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/
53A-05-6
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. Provided manager with form, current employees signed and dated form **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Buckets to fill ice are cracked on top
14-38-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Case of cooking oil on floor on cooks line Several whole intact beef packages on floor in walk-in-freezer Cases of produce on floor in walk-in-cooler
08B-38-4
Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. 1 hood filter missing on cooks line
14-42-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup entrance to walk-in-freezer
14-69-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Utensils in standing water in prep area 85°; operator discarded water **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
Basic - Light not functioning over cooking equipment
36-62-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler across from flat top **Corrected On-Site**
29-49-6
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone on table next to salsas at wait station Several purses on table at drink station area **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
35B-01-4
33
Jun 6, 2024
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Jun 3, 2024
Complaint Full
7 critical violations. 4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. -tomatillo salsa
01B-36-5
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. -tomatillo salsa made yesterday 57 degrees in the center. Product in deep container. Product discarded.
03D-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. -raw shell eggs above greens in cook line reach-in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. -4 small flying insects on windows behind bar, 2 small flying insects on windows in dining room, 1 small flying insect in storage area of kitchen near back door. No flies observed on food or food contact surfaces. **Admin Complaint**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Items stored in ice used for drinks. -bottles in ice well behind bar. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-56-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. -queso 43-45 in walk-in cooler less than 4 hours. Product moved to freezer for temperature recovery.
03A-02-5
High Priority - Food placed in soiled container/equipment. -washed avocados returned to cardboard box. Advised. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. -strainer in hand wash sink at bar. Asked bartender, stated it was used for dump sink. Removed.
31A-09-4
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. -manager unable to locate. Emailed new blank forms.
11-26-1
Intermediate - Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. -training date not filled in on certificates.
53B-10-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. -sanitizer spray bottle on expo line not labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. -in wait station ice bin. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. -no ambient thermometer in horchata cooler in expo area.
05-09-4
Basic - Outer openings not protected during operation and vermin and/or environmental cross contamination present. -2 front garage doors and patio door open at start of inspection. Air curtains not turned on. **Corrected On-Site**
35B-05-4
Basic - Water draining onto floor surface. -hand wash sink at front of bar heaps water running onto floor.
29-03-4
19
Apr 5, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Mar 29, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
39
Dec 15, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Food stored on floor. -bag of rice on floor in dry storage room.
08B-38-4
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Vida Cocina & Tequila last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Vida Cocina & Tequila on file is from Dec 22, 2025. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Vida Cocina & Tequila?
Across the inspection record, “raw animal food stored over/not properly separated” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Vida Cocina & Tequila.
How does Vida Cocina & Tequila compare to other restaurants in Altamonte Springs?
Vida Cocina & Tequila most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Altamonte Springs average of 76.
Has Vida Cocina & Tequila's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Vida Cocina & Tequila have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly nine earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Vida Cocina & Tequila 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 Vida Cocina & Tequila inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Vida Cocina & Tequila is inspected around five times per year on average.
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