EL PATIO COFFEE & BISTRO/PEPITO AREPAS BAR

High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Observed a quart of beans date marked 02-13-26, more than seven days. Warning

High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed a quart of beans date marked 02-13-26, more than seven days. Warning

Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed metal and plastic containers on shelf at warewashing area not inverted. Warning

Basic - Dishmachine not washing/rinsing properly. Must wash, rinse and sanitize all dishware, equipment and utensils in three-compartment sink until dishmachine is functioning properly. Observed Dishwasher (Chlorine 10ppm) at warewashing area not sanitizing properly. Warning

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee cell on work station where food preparation is done at kitchen area. Employee removed phone from work station. Corrected On-Site Warning

Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs on oven handle at cook line. Warning

High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed PULLED CHICKEN (51F - Cold Holding); RAW BACON (50F - Cold Holding); PICO DE GALLO (47F - Cold Holding); TOMATO SAUCE (47F - Cold Holding) at arepa station reach in cooler. Warning

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed PULLED CHICKEN (51F - Cold Holding); RAW BACON (50F - Cold Holding); PICO DE GALLO (47F - Cold Holding); TOMATO SAUCE (47F - Cold Holding) at arepa station reach in cooler. Warning

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed a mold like substance in the interior of ice machine at the Elmpatio kitchen. Warning

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting board at area station with deep cut and not easily cleaned. Observed cutting board at El Patio kitchen with deep cut marks and not easily cleaned. Warning

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed dishwasher at ware washing area not functioning. Manager called technician during inspection to repair machine. Observed reach in cooler at arepa station not cooling properly. Operator removed product from reach in cooler. Corrective Action Taken Warning

Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed gap beneath rear exit at kitchen area. Repeat Violation Warning

Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed cases of fruit pulp stored on the floor at walk in freezer. Operator placed items on shelf. Corrected On-Site Warning

Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup at reach in freezer next to service window at kitchen area. Warning

Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed two tongs on oven handle at El patio kitchen area. Manager removed items. Corrected On-Site Warning

Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed standing water in reach in cooler next to service window at arepa station. Warning

High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Observed paper towels lining egg container in reach in cooler. Warning

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken pastries stored over bread in reach in cooler at kitchen at left of main entrance. Also observed raw shell eggs stored over pico de gallo in walk in cooler. Warning

High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw shell eggs stored over bacon in reach in cooler at kitchen on right side of main entrance. Repeat Violation Warning

High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. ime/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Cut Tomatoes (47F - Cooling) in reach in cooler. As per operator, it was placed at 6am this morning. Stop sale issued. Observed Cooked Beef (45F - Cold Holding); Raw Chicken (47F - Cold Holding) in reach in cooler. As per operator, it was placed in reach in cooler yesterday. Stop sale issued. Warning

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Cooked Beef (45F - Cold Holding); Raw Chicken (47F - Cold Holding) in reach in cooler. As per operator, it was placed in reach in cooler yesterday. Stop sale issued. Warning

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. Observed Cut Tomatoes (47F - Cooling) in reach in cooler. As per operator, it was placed at 6am this morning. Stop sale issued. Warning

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed sanitizer bucket stored on floor in kitchen at right side of main entrance. Warning

Intermediate - Certified food manager unable to answer basic Food Code questions pertaining to safe operation of establishment. Observed CFM unable to answer questions regarding the minimum thermometer calibration temperature. Corrective Action Taken Warning

Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Observed establishment serves seafood ceviche, tuna poke bowl, ceviche de coco without asterisk connecting it to the consumer advisory. Warning

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

Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed metal condiment container used as scoop inside granola container at kitchen left of main entrance. Warning

Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Observed employee drinking coffee from open container in kitchen at left side of main entrance. Warning

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee water bottle on preparation table at kitchen left of main entrance. Warning

Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employee wearing watch while preparing coffee for customer. Warning

Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed at back door of kitchen to left of main entrance. Repeat Violation Warning

Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed in walk in freezer at back of gas station. Warning

Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed knives stored between wall and three compartment sink at kitchen at right side of main entrance. Warning

Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed foam cup stored inside seasonings above stove at kitchen left of main entrance. Warning

Basic - Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Observed bug zapper installed over orange at handwash sink at kitchen to the left of main entrance. Warning

Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Repeat Violation Warning

Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed at kitchen in right side of entrance. Warning

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler gaskets soiled at kitchen on ride side of main entrance. Repeat Violation Warning

Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed in RIC at kitchen on right side of main entrance. Warning

Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed at mop sink at kitchen left of main entrance. Warning

Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed throughout entire establishment. Operator placed some wet wc in sanitizer solution. Corrective Action Taken Warning

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed shredded chicken (50F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese (48F - Cold Holding); goat cheese (49F - Cold Holding), located inside walk-in cooler. Manager moved all food items in to reach in cooler at kitchen area. Observed arepas (71F - Cold Holding) located at prep table inside Pepito arepas kitchen. Manager reheated arepas due to customer orders. Discussed time as public health control, 4hrs procedures. Provided form to manager. Corrective Action Taken Warning

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed empty boxes in front of hand washing sink near reach in cooler. Operator removed boxes. Corrected On-Site Warning

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed near reach in cooler by exit door at back kitchen. Operator placed new paper towel roll. Corrected On-Site Warning

Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer located at front counter. Repeat Violation Warning

Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tong hanging at kitchen oven. Warning

Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed no ambient thermometer in reach in cooler at front counter. Warning

Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed plastic forks not inverted at kitchen near squeeze orange juice machine. Warning

High Priority - Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. Observed a container of sugar and a container of brown sugar on the counter not covered. The manager put lids on the containers. Corrected On-Site

High Priority - In-use utensil stored in unclean water at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed ice cream scoops in water at 82° F. The manager poured out the water. Corrected On-Site

Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed Rosa; Jessica; Ana; Natalie; Henry; Fabiola; Albany; Arisnelma; Sebastian; and Elizabeth all expired in the beginning of the month.

Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed the handle of a scoop in the sugar on the front counter. The manager moved the scoop. Corrected On-Site

Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Observed one tile missing in the kitchen.

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed the preparation reach in cooler gaskets torn.

Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer. Observed at the kitchen entrance.

Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed a container of sugar on the front counter not labeled. The manager labeled it. Corrected On-Site