LAS MARGARITAS MEXICAN RESTAURANT & GALLERY

High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Containers of ground beef at 45F and beans at 47F prepared on 12/28 in walk-in-cooler

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Bin of raw beef with aluminum foil covering raw beef stored above Chicken both in walk-in-cooler. Manager moved Chicken broth. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Container of Burris beef dated 12/22/2025

High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Containers of ground beef at 45F and beans at 47F prepared on 12/28 in walk-in-cooler. Container for Burris beef dated 12/22/2025

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on flip-top make table with mold like substance in the grooves in kitchen. Tea machine has white crust accumulated on tip of liquid discharge spout

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Ice in handwash sink at bar and server station. Manager cleaned out ice. Corrected On-Site

Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle not properly labeled with identifying contents ( sanitizer ). Manager removed bottles.

Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Food dispensed ( flour )with a bowl without a handle. Manager removed bowl Corrected On-Site

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting board on flip-top make table in kitchen with grooves with black stains.

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. employee back packs stored on top of cans in dry goods storage area. Manager removed back packs Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean stacked ( cups, bins )not properly air-dried, and stored wet on clean ware rack resulting in wet nesting.

Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Ice scoop touching ice in ice bin at server station. Ice scoop handle placed above ice. Corrected On-Site

Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. In-use utensil stored with handle touching food product(sugar, beans ). Manager placed handle up above food. Corrected On-Site

Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Handwash sink sign missing at dishwash area and back kitchen handwash sink . Repeat Violation

Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Three open bottles of employee drinks in reach in cooler on cookline stored above food served to the public. Repeat Violation

Flammables stored/debris present in meter room. For reporting purposes only. Two containers of gasoline stored in dry goods storage area. Manager removed both tanks from building. Corrected On-Site

High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed cook on cook line crack two eggs changed gloves but did not wash hands before putting on new gloves, then handle cooking equipment . Observed employee wearing gloves frying chips wipe face with towel and then proceeded to handle cooking equipment without washing hands and changing gloves. Advised Manager and manager discussed with employees, Corrective Action Taken Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting board on flip-top make table with mold like stains in grooves in kitchen. Repeat Violation

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee cups, handbag and tools stored above blooded soft drink syrup in kitchen

Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed box of oil and plastic gallon containers of margarita mix on floor in kitchen and walk-in-cooler. Manager placed both items on shelf. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice build up in walk-in-freezer on floor.

Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed In-use ice scoop not stored with handle above top of ice at server station in kitchen

Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Observed unwashed produce ( green peppers ) stored over ready-to-eat food ( cut vegetables, shedded cheese ) in walk in cooler Repeat Violation

High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee handled trash can on cook line and proceeded to change gloves without washing hands before handling shrimp. Manager had employee wash hands and change gloves. Corrective Action Taken

High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee in dish area handled dirty dishes and proceeded to handle clean dishes without washing hands. Manager had employee wash hands and rewash dishes. Corrective Action Taken

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from ambient temperature to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within four hours. See stop sale. Item in reach-in cooler across from cook line oven: pico (45F - Cooling). Manager stated item was prepared at 9 am, temperature taken at 2:10 pm.

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food prepared from/mixed with ingredient(s) at ambient temperature not cooled to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 4 hours. Item in reach-in cooler across from cook line oven: pico (45F - Cooling). Manager stated item was prepared at 9 am, temperature taken at 2:10 pm.

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Gas pressure washer stored next to margarita mix in dry storage room. Manager removed pressure washer from dry storage room. Corrected On-Site

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on reach-in cooler across from cook line grill. Soda gun in bar area. Repeat Violation

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand washing sink in back prep area blocked by garbage can. Manager moved can to another area. Corrected On-Site

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Spoon stored in hand washing sink across from walk-in cooler. Green scrubbing pad stored in dish area hand washing sink. Manager removed items from hand washing sinks. Corrected On-Site

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

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand washing sink in dish area. Manager provided paper towels at hand washing sink. Corrected On-Site

Intermediate - Probe thermometer not accurate within plus or minus 2 degrees Fahrenheit. Probe thermometer registering at 10F when calibrated.

Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Buckets stored in dish area. Employee turned containers over. Corrected On-Site

Basic - Cloth used as a food-contact surface. Employee touched food on plate with cloth as food was being transferred to pass through window.

Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee bottle of water stored in reach-in cooler across from cook line oven. Manager removed bottle of water. Corrected On-Site

Basic - Food stored on floor. Bags of salt for water conditioner stored on floor next to water conditioner. Manager moved salt to shelf. Corrected On-Site

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Outside of water nozzle of wait station tea machine. Manager cleaned item during inspection. Corrected On-Site

Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Pans stored on shelf in back of kitchen.

Basic - Shelf with rust that has pitted the surface. Shelf in dish area.

Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed peppers stored over container of pico. Manager placed peppers beneath pico. Corrected On-Site

Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ One male manager on site (F. Montano 04/09/2023). Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. At the prep,area, employee rinsed lid, inspector addressed situation, employee placed lid in dish machine. Repeat Violation

Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. At the bar area, spray bottle not labeled, Manager labeled windex. Corrected On-Site

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. At the server station, ice bin with mold like substance.

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. At the server station, cooler with 68F ambient temperature, manger turned on units and moved the new prep items to walk-in cooler. Corrective Action Taken

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. At the prep area, employee drink no lid on prep table, Manager discarded. Corrected On-Site

Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. In walk-in freezer.

High Priority - In-use utensil stored in unclean water at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit. At the server area, ice cream scoop in 573F, manager discarded. Corrected On-Site

High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. At the cook line, tortillas stores in thank you bags, employee removed from bag. Corrected On-Site

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. At the dry storage area near walk-in cooler entrance, WD-40 and tool box above soda bags and hot sauce containers, manager moved. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

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. Inspector provided a digital copy.

Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ For two male managers.

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Handwash sink at the cook line, male employee filled container with water. Repeat Violation

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Handwash sink at the dish machine area, also no sign, Manager provided. Corrected On-Site

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. At the cook line, employee back pack above prep table, employee moved. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Containers stacked near back door.

Basic - Food stored on floor. At the cook line, oil jug on floor, Manager moved. Corrected On-Site

Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Containers In Walk-in cooler with double stickers, also some with old glue residue

Basic - Open dumpster lid. Behind property.

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand sink in bar area with ice and straws in it. Observed hand sink in kitchen prep area with kitchen utensils in it. Observed hand sink next to cook line with lettuce and other food debris in it. Manager removed all items from sinks during inspection. Corrected On-Site

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed covered employee drink containers on prep tables next to cook line. Manager removed during inspection. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer. Observed ice build up along walls and gaskets of reach in freezer on cook line. Repeat Violation

Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed knife being stored between equipment and hand sink near cook line. Manager removed and placed in dishwasher area during inspection. Corrected On-Site

Basic - Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. Observed clean silverware on counter in kitchen stored upright. Manager placed silverware back in dishwasher area for cleaning. Corrective Action Taken

Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed take out containers in server area not properly inverted, manager corrected during inspection. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. Observed soiled wiping cloths throughout kitchen on prep tables. Employees removed during inspection. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

High Priority - Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands. Observed female employee walk dirty dishes to dish area move to server station and prepare drinks no hand wash. Manager instructed employee to wash hands. Corrective Action Taken

Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed containers of salsa, mole sauce and flan prepared 11.9 not date mark. Manager dated during inspection. Corrected On-Site

Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottles with blue solution and no labels in bar area on hand sink and in server area near hand sink. Manager stated solution was winded, and labeled during inspection Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed covered employee drink on counter in server area and on prep shelf in dish washing area. Employees removed during inspection. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer. Observed accumulation of ice build up on shelves of reach in cooler.

Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed at server station ice scoop in ice bin with handle touching ice. Employee removed during inspection.

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed some condensation and dirt in bottom shelves of reach in coolers throughout in bar area .

Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed tamales in freezer, food fully frozen but not covered. Manager covered food during inspection. Corrected On-Site