LA PALAPA RESTAURANT SEAFOOD & GRILL

High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 2 live roaches inside oven on cook line. Warning

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at handwashing sink by entrance of kitchen. Warning

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling in disrepair above electrical panel to the right of cook line. Warning

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed excessive cut marks on cutting boards by prep table. Warning

Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed one large dead roach by electrical panel, 3 small dead roaches under stairway that leads to upstairs dry storage, 1 small dead roach inside oven on cook line. Operator had employee clean up dead roaches onsite. Corrective Action Taken Warning

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed gasket in disrepair on walk in cooler door. Warning

Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed soiled interior of microwave in front of cook line. Warning

Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. Warning

Basic - Open dumpster lid. Warning

Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed pipe in disrepair at handwashing sink by entrance of kitchen. Warning

High Priority - Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed Dishwasher's (Chlorine 0ppm). Warning

High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed approximately 7 flies in the kitchen by the prep area. Observed 1 live fly landing on the dough in the prep area. Warning

High Priority - Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. Observed approximately 15+ centipedes dead throughout the storage area on the 2nd floor. Observed rodent Warning

High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 20+ rodent droppings on the 2 floor storage room behind the single service items, 15+ rodent droppings behind the AC unit on the 2nd floor. Warning

High Priority - Rodent rub marks present along walls/ceilings. Observed rodent rub marks on the floor under the single service items on the 2nd floor. Warning

High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed employee moving the trash can to another location in the kitchen and about to start food preparation, educated employee how and when to wash their hands properly. Corrective Action Taken Warning

High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed 1 live fly landing on the dough in the prep area. Warning

High Priority - Wiping cloth solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed stored in a location that could result in the cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Observed Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 200+ppm) stored in the kitchen. Operator discarded solution. Corrected On-Site Warning

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed food debris inside the hand washing sink in the kitchen. Warning

Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Observed Caesar Lopez with no manager certificate. Warning

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/ At the time of the inspection observed 4 employees with no manager on duty. Warning

Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed employees with no employee training named Litica Mena and Juana Mena hired 18 years ago. Warning

Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed 2 door reach in cooler door handle with food debris. Warning

Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Warning

Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed approximately 6 dead roaches on the 2nd floor storage room. Observed 2 dead roaches in the kitchen behind the stairwell where containers of salt, rice and beans are stored. Warning

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed gaskets torn in both reach in coolers in the kitchen. Warning

Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. In the walk in cooler and walk in freezer. Warning

Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed flour containers with cracked lids. Warning

Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed cut plantains stored on the floor in the kitchen. Warning

Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed multiple holes in the wall at the 2nd floor storage room. Warning

Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed 4 knifes between wall and 3 compartment sink. Warning

Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Operator removed. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation Warning

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood with accumulation of grease. Warning

Basic - Observed reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Warning

Basic - Screen in door torn/in poor repair - vermin present. Observed no screen at the bar gates by the door on the outside exterior patio. Warning

Basic - Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink, three-compartment sink, or mop sink. Observed hand washing sink in the kitchen with slow drainage. Warning

Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Warning

Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed 2nd floor walls soiled. Warning

Basic - Worn, torn and/or soiled floors/carpeting. Observed 2nd floor storage room heavily soiled. Warning

High Priority - Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. The cook has the triple sink set up for sanitizing. Corrective Action Taken

High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food.

High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed pork in a shopping bag in a plastic container on the walk-in freezer floor.

High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Observed plantains and limes in water a plastic container that has a label Pro Form joint compound.

High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Repeat Violation

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over canned/bottled drinks. Observed a pan with whole snapper on top cases of beer in the walk-in cooler. The cook moved the pan to the appropriate shelf. Corrected On-Site

High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over raw shell eggs in the upright cooler across from the oven.

High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed the cook crack raw shell eggs and continue cooking other items.

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. Form provided via email. Corrective Action Taken

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime.

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed a shopping bag in the sink. Observed a stainless pan with silver ware in the hand wash sink at the kitchen entrance.

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/

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. Form provided via email. Corrective Action Taken

Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed at the bar.

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 Xiomara, Pamela, Cinthina, Juana, La palapa all expired 10-22-23.

Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed at the preparation reach in cooler at the kitchen entrance in a pan of Parmesan cheese and sauce.

Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed at the bar.

Basic - Exterior door has a gap on the that opens to the outside.

Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed pork in a shopping back in a plastic bucket on the walk-in freezer floor. The cook moved the bucket to a shelf. Corrective Action Taken

Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed holes in the wall at the bar by the juice dispenser.

Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed in a cooler at the bar. The waitress removed the scoop. 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. Observed plastic squeeze bottles with oil not labeled.

Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed pork in a plastic container with water. The cook turned on the cold water and left if on. Corrected On-Site

Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean.

Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed a plastic squeeze bottle containing oil not labeled at the cook line. Repeat Violation

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed horchata (48F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (65F - Cold Holding), as per operator horchata was prepared approximately 1 hour ago, as per operator chicken was pulled out of cooler approximately one hour ago and placed back inside approximately 5 minutes ago, operator moved items to walk in freezer for rapid chill Corrective Action Taken Warning

Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed expired food handler training for employee Cinthia who has been employed for a minimum of one year. Warning

Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed water at hand wash sink in mens bathroom reach 88F for 2 minutes Operator fixed breaker for water heater. Corrected On-Site Warning

Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed bowl used to scoop chimol. Operator removed bowl Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation Warning

Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured at bar area Warning

Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Warning

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee purse on top of cans of coconut milk in kitchen area. Operator removed purse Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation Warning

Basic - Equipment in poor repair observed torn gaskets in reach in cooler across from grill Repeat Violation Warning

Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall above hand sink next to three compartment sink Warning

Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. Warning

Basic - Reach-in cooler interior across from grill have accumulation of soil residues. Warning

Basic - Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink next to three compartment sink Warning

Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in walk in cooler Warning

High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed 0 ppm . Explain to operator to use 3 compartment sink.

High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Observed covered on tortilla in container

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

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shrimp and raw chicken over container sauces in the reach in cooler. Operator readjusted the product Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

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 spaghetti/ beef/ steak in the reach in cooler made yesterday per operator

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.

Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed box of conch meat on the walk in freezer floor

Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed interior of microwave soiled

Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. None observed over steam table

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gasket soiled and torn in the reach in coolers / hood filters soiled

Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Repeat Violation

Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed container of cooked beef mixture uncovered in the walk in cooler

Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed at the front counter container of sugar without labeling