Arepa Life
Last inspected: Aug 27, 2025
70
Score
Inspectors have visited Arepa Life 14 times, with records going back to 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Aug 27, 2025. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around seven violations per visit versus roughly two violations earlier in the record.
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” comes up most often, recorded seven times in the inspection record.
That's lower than the typical St. Augustine restaurant, which scores around 81. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
14
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Aug 27, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting board soiled with food debris. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
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 one food handler expired.
53B-14-5
Basic - Single-service articles stored next to handwash/food preparation sink exposed to splash. Observed single service bags next to hand sink. Person in charge moved bags. **Corrected On-Site**
25-22-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed flip-top cooler gasket soiled with food debris.
23-03-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup up in deep freezer preventing lid from fully closing.
14-69-4
70
Jan 31, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. Observed food truck window and rear door left open without screening while food is being prepared in food truck. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-01-31: Observed door opened and window opened at callback. **Admin Complaint**
08B-02-4
86
Jan 29, 2025
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 5 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed approximately 8 live flying insects breeding and flying around hand washing station in kitchen. **Warning**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed clear plastic food containers washed without out sanitizing per person in charge. Triple sink set up 50ppm chlorine. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
22-45-4
High Priority - Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. Observed food truck window and rear door left open without screening while food is being prepared in food truck. **Warning**
08B-02-4
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed food employee handle cell phone with gloves on and proceeded to handle clean utensils without changing gloves and washing hands. Discussed with person in charge.
12A-09-4
High Priority - Raw sewage on ground of establishment. Observed waste water leaking from drainage hose connection at truck. Person in charge tightened hose. Hose is gravity draining into sewer system and is backing up due to poor setup. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
28-13-5
Intermediate - Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Observed cooked chicken, pork, rice frozen without date marks.
02C-04-5
Intermediate - Employee has not received adequate training related to their assigned duties as evidenced by the inability to answer basic food safety questions. Observed sole food employee present on food truck without the knowledge of setting up proper ware washing. Food employee did not know sanitizing is a required step for triple sink ware washing.
53B-16-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand washing station blocked by dirty wet rags and hardware repair supplies. Person in charge removed everything from blocking hand washing station. **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. Observed no chemical test kits on food truck.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No sanitizer of any kind available for warewashing. Only use single-service items to serve food to customers until sanitizer is available for warewashing. Observed not chemical sanitizer Observed no available sanitizer for warewashing on truck. Person in charge went to store during inspection and purchased chlorine. Triple sink set up 50ppm chlorine. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
22-38-5
Basic - Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Observed duct tape used to repair metal table under service window.
14-71-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed gaskets on reach in cooler torn.
14-11-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters soiled with grease. Observed gaskets on flip-top cooler soiled with food debris. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Outer openings not protected during operation and vermin and/or environmental cross contamination present. Observed sliding window left open without screening. Observed exterior door to food truck not self-closing and open creating environmental contamination risks.
35B-05-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed two wet sipping cloths stored in hand washing station sink.
21-12-4
22
Sep 18, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand washing station blocked by plastic containers. Person in charge unblocked sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on reach in coolers soiled with black/green mold like substance. Observed glass door on reach in cooler soiled with black/green mold like substance. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling leak in driving area of food truck.
36-32-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing water on floor of driving area of food truck.
36-22-4
78
Aug 2, 2024
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Jul 16, 2024
Complaint Partial
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
86
Jul 15, 2024
Complaint Partial
5 critical violations. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed cutting boards and utensils not sanitized after washing in triple sink. **Warning**
22-45-4
High Priority - Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. Observed food truck service window does not have sliding windows that can be closed between guests. Window is left open allowing environmental contamination to occur inside food truck. **Warning**
08B-02-4
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired 6/1/2024
50-17-3
High Priority - Raw sewage on ground of establishment. Observed black sewage hose, connected from food truck to commissary's dump outlet, leaking through holes onto ground next to food truck. **Warning**
28-13-5
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed approximately four live flying insects inside food truck landing on squeeze bottles filled with food, and while food preparation is happening. **Warning**
35A-02-6
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 written procedures and discussed with person in charge. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
11-27-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels available at all on food truck. Discussed with person in charge.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No sanitizer of any kind available for warewashing. Observed no sanitizer being used at triple sink. Discussed with person in charge and they do not have any chemical or high temperature water for sanitization. **Warning**
22-38-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling inside food truck showing warping and buckling from water damage. Observed ceiling leak in driving area of food truck. **Repeat Violation**
36-32-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing water on floor next to driver seat. **Repeat Violation**
36-22-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets soiled with black/green mold like substance. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Utensils in poor condition. Observed multiple grill utensils with melted handles.
14-12-4
29
Nov 29, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
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 written procedures and discussed with person in charge. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gasket on flip-top cooler door soiled with food debris.
23-03-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing water in front cab of truck.
36-22-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed hole in ceiling of cab. Observed cleanable liner on ceiling hanging down. Person in charge states handy man has scheduled repairs and will install stainless steel liners. **Corrective Action Taken**
36-32-5
78
Jul 17, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed three live roaches under hand washing station near potable water tank. **Warning**
35A-05-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on flip-top cooler soiled with black/green mold like substance.
23-03-4
82
Jul 14, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 13, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed beef (110F - Hot Holding); pork (119F - Hot Holding) in steamer well. Well lacking water. Discussed with person in charge to add more water. Person in charge started reheating pork and beef on grill.
03B-01-6
High Priority - Raw sewage on ground of establishment. MFDV sewage pipe is drip leaking onto ground. Small puddle has formed. Operator was able to close pipe valve. Operator is going to buy quick disconnect hose to hook up to marinas dump outlet. **Warning**
28-13-5
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. Observed some employees hired over 60 days with no proof of training. **Repeat Violation**
53B-13-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters soiled with grease. Observed gaskets on reach in coolers soiled with food debris.
23-03-4
64
Apr 27, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef over arepas in reach in freezer. Person in charge moved beef to bottom. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Fan, electrical stuff in sink. Person in charge removed everything. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
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. Establishment is missing training for some employees.
53B-13-5
Basic - Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink, three-compartment sink, or mop sink. Hand washing sink is slow draining. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
29-20-5
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Single service items not inverted. To-go boxes not inverted. Forks, knives not all in same direction.
25-06-4
64
Feb 27, 2023
Routine - Food
6 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 7 violations
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 written procedures and discussed with person in charge **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards on flip-top cooler stained with food debris.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand washing station blocked by aprons,brushes, and food. Person in charge removed all items from hand washing station. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No quat test kit for triple sink.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No sanitizer of any kind available for warewashing. Only use single-service items to serve food to customers until sanitizer is available for warewashing. No sanitizer available on MFDV. Person in charge asked neighboring food truck for quat tablets. **Corrected On-Site**
22-38-5
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap for hand washing station.
31B-03-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Ambient air thawing, Discussed proper thawing methods with person in charge. Person in charge placed all thawing items in refrigerator. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
52
Dec 20, 2022
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand washing station has slices and cleaning rags stored inside. Person in charge removed from sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No person in charge present during hours of operation. Only employee at food truck has been recently hired and has limited food safety knowledge.
53A-11-4
Intermediate - No sanitizer of any kind available for warewashing. Employee went to store next door and purchased bleach. Triple sink set up at 50ppm with inspectors help. **Corrected On-Site**
22-38-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloths stored on side of triple sink.
21-12-4
Basic - Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink. Hand washing station sink near triple sink.
29-20-5
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Arepa Life last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Arepa Life on file is from Aug 27, 2025. The public record contains 14 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Arepa Life?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at Arepa Life.
How does Arepa Life compare to other restaurants in St. Augustine?
Arepa Life most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the St. Augustine average of 81.
Has Arepa Life's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Arepa Life have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Arepa Life 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 Arepa Life inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Arepa Life is inspected around five times per year on average.
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