El Tito Cafe
Last inspected: Feb 6, 2026
55
Score
El Tito Cafe appears in inspection records eight times, starting in 2022. On Feb 6, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around six violations to closer to eight violations.
When inspectors have written things up, “no paper towels” has been the most frequent reason, cited three times.
Compared to other Hialeah restaurants (averaging 76), there's room to close the gap. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
8
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 6, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed vegetables inside thank you bags inside reach in cooler at cook line, employee removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
14-31-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed soiled knife inside handwashing sink. Employee removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels inside men bathroom, manager provided during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed hole on ceiling tile at dining area. .
36-32-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed microwave interior soiled with food debris at cook line. Employee cleaned during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed top of oven soiled with grease.
23-03-4
Basic - Unnecessary items/unused equipment on the premises. Observed on the floor discarded oven in front of main entrance.
33-31-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed in use wet towel on top preparation table at cook line. Employee removed and stored inside sanitizer bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
55
Oct 29, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food not separated from ready-to-eat food during preparation. Observed tomato sauce not separated from cheese cake container inside reach in cooler in kitchen area. Employee removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-14-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed microwave interior soiled with food debris at preparation area. Employee cleaned during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Observed paper towels dispenser not working properly inside ladies restroom.
31B-05-4
Intermediate - Soap dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense soap. Observed handwashing soap dispenser not working properly inside men's restroom.
31B-06-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling soiled with dark substance on top cooking equipment.
36-34-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed clean cooking utensils inside plastic container not inverted on top preparation area. Employee inverted during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
24-05-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed white cutting board with cut marks next to 3 compartment sink, manager discarded during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee personal glasses on top preparation table in kitchen area. Employee removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed handwashing sink faucet water handle missing inside women restroom.
14-11-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup inside reach in freezer in storage area .
14-69-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall soiled with grease next to frying station.
36-27-5
45
Feb 25, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
58
Nov 8, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 6, 2024
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. **Warning**
53A-02-7
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at men's handwashing sink. Employee provided during inspection . **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31B-02-4
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 employee **Warning**
53B-02-5
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. **Warning**
11-26-1
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed clean plates on top of 3 compartment sink not inverted. Employee inverted during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
24-05-4
64
Jan 18, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed milk (97F - Hot Holding) as per employee for less than an hour.
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed clean dishes stored on hand sink in kitchen area. Observed at front hand sink utensils stored inside. Employee removed and placed on correct shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed at hand wash sink in back kitchen area.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed at hand wash sink in back kitchen area.
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Nonfood-grade basting brush used in food. Observed metal paint brush used at coffee machine. Employee discarded brush. **Corrected On-Site**
14-14-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed at rear of kitchen clean pots and pans not inverted on shelf. Observed at front count serving plates not inverted.
24-05-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed small square hole in wall next to microwave wave. Observed large square hole in wall at front counter under coffee machine shelf.
36-24-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed in white chest freezer at rear of kitchen.
14-69-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
22-08-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
51-13-4
Basic - Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover. Observed at bottoms shelves of steam table at front counter.
14-20-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
39
Mar 15, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 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 form during inspection.
11-27-4
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. Provided form during inspection.
11-26-1
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed soiled door handles in white refrigerator.
23-24-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-03-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
10-20-4
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 in sugar container at front counter. Manager removed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Observed in kitchen area.
38-07-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
21-12-4
61
Oct 26, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 10 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
45
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Tito Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Tito Cafe on file is from Feb 6, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Tito Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “no paper towels” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at El Tito Cafe.
How does El Tito Cafe compare to other restaurants in Hialeah?
El Tito Cafe most recently scored 55 out of 100, which is lower than the Hialeah average of 76.
Has El Tito Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at El Tito Cafe have averaged around eight violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at El Tito 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 Tito Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Tito Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.
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