El Mar Cafe
Last inspected: Sep 25, 2025
58
Score
Public records show nine inspections at El Mar Cafe stretching back to 2022. On Sep 25, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around two violations to closer to five violations per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “time/temperature control for safety food cold held”, showing up three times.
That's lower than the typical Lauderdale-By-The-Se restaurant, which scores around 76. The record is unremarkable in either direction.
9
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 25, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cookline; diced ham (42-58F - Cold Holding), observed on ice bath food product over ice line, operator removed excess and stored in reach in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Cookline; pork sausage (113F - Hot Holding), observed food item not on heat source. Operator placed back on flat top to reheat to 165F. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Basic - One door reach in cooler gaskets in disrepair. **Repeat Violation**
14-36-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer in back storage room.
14-69-4
Basic - Accumulation of mold-like substance in the interior of the ice bin. In back storage room.
22-20-5
Basic - Accumulation of dead insects in control devices. In kitchen behind stove on, Operator discarded and replaced trap during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
35A-06-4
58
Jul 15, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. -Dead insect observed in ice machine on ice.
01B-13-4
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 200ppm) operator remade solution Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 100ppm). **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
Intermediate - bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. -clear liquid in a condiment squeeze bottle not labeled, identified as bleach, operator labeled and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Interior of one door reach in cooler gaskets in disrepair.
14-36-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
61
Dec 2, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
67
Aug 16, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at Lowboy refrigerator ; sliced cheese , pork (44-47F - Cold Holding). Operator move to other refrigerator **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed to go cups on floor in dry storage
25-05-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed in feta cheese. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
78
May 6, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food re-served to customers. Butter chips and reconstituted Creamer, with a label indicating refrigeration needed. Left out on tables for customers reuse. See stop sale.
07-08-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Corned beef 53°F, left out on cook line shelf under grill. Cook stated removed from refrigerator 30 minutes ago. Cook placed corned beef back into refrigerator. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food re-served to customers. Butter chips and reconstituted Creamer, with a label indicating refrigeration needed. Left out on tables for customers reuse.
01B-02-5
Basic - A box of potatoes stored on floor under triple sink. Operator went to move box on a shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
61
Feb 13, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Feb 12, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine over 200ppm). Operator adjusted. Chlorine 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-27-4
High Priority - Employee handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up clean dishes without washing hands. Reviewed proper hand washing and employee properly washed hands. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12A-02-4
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. Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm). Advised Operator to set up triple sink for sanitizing. **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Cook cracked raw shell eggs and then handled clean plates without washing hands. Reviewed proper hand washing and employee properly washed hands. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12A-27-4
Intermediate - Establishment advertised fresh juice, but juice was not prepared from original fruit. Breakfast menu states, "Fresh Orange Juice" however establishment is serving juice provided by their purveyor. **Admin Complaint**
52-09-4
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored in visibly soiled container between uses. Operator removed and cleaned. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-12-5
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Several open employee drinks inside prep area reach in units. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-13-4
45
Jun 23, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation.
View 3 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
67
Dec 13, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw shell eggs over unwashed avocados in two door unit next to bathrooms. Removed **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Employee left kitchen to go outside and returned to work. Immediately put on gloves without washing hands and began cooking.
12A-16-4
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 200ppm).
41-27-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Bottle at three compartment sink. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Mar Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Mar Cafe on file is from Sep 25, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Mar Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at El Mar Cafe.
How does El Mar Cafe compare to other restaurants in Lauderdale-By-The-Se?
El Mar Cafe most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Lauderdale-By-The-Se average of 76.
Has El Mar Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at El Mar Cafe have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at El Mar Cafe 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 El Mar Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Mar Cafe is inspected around three times per year on average.
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