La Costa Mexican Latin Cuisine
Last inspected: Mar 3, 2026
61
Score
Going back to 2022, La Costa Mexican Latin Cuisine has 11 inspections in the public record. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 3, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around one violation to closer to four violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been the most frequent reason, cited two times.
By comparison, the average Fort Lauderdale facility scores 80, putting La Costa Mexican Latin Cuisine on the weaker side. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
3
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 3, 2026
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
61
Dec 4, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
50
Feb 20, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
55
Nov 12, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Sep 11, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed 4 employees on duty with no proof of any training. All 4 employees hired more than 60 days ago. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-10: Same **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-11: Same **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
90
Sep 10, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : 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 after multiple attempts - dishwasher machine 00ppm. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-10: Observed after multiple attempts - dishwasher machine 00ppm. **Time Extended**
22-41-4
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed at bar - approximately 10 small flying insects landing on avocados. Operator killed 6 and sanitized area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-10: Observed at bar - approximately 5 small flying insects. **Admin Complaint**
35A-02-6
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed 4 employees on duty with no proof of any training. All 4 employees hired more than 60 days ago. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-10: Same **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
67
Sep 9, 2024
Routine - Food
6 critical violations. 2 major violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed at reach in freezer - Raw short rib stored over cooked potatoes at reach in freezer ( both items not commercially packaged) operator stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at drawing cooler under grill. portioned chicken (53F - Cold Holding); portioned beef (54F - Cold Holding); portioned pork (54F - Cold Holding); shrimp (53F - Cold Holding); diced beef (57F - Cold Holding); chicken quarter legs (54F - Cold Holding); chicken breast (45F - Cold Holding) as per operator items not portioned or prepared today, items held out of temperature for over 12 hours. See stop sale Additionally observed at flip top cooler bottom area - container of tomato sauce (56F - Cold Holding) as per operator items not portioned or prepared today, items held out of temperature for over 12 hours. See stop sale **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed at drawing cooler under grill. portioned chicken (53F - Cold Holding); portioned beef (54F - Cold Holding); portioned pork (54F - Cold Holding); shrimp (53F - Cold Holding); diced beef (57F - Cold Holding); chicken quarter legs (54F - Cold Holding); chicken breast (45F - Cold Holding) as per operator items not portioned or prepared today, items held out of temperature for over 12 hours. See stop sale Additionally observed at flip top cooler bottom area - container of tomato sauce (56F - Cold Holding) as per operator items not portioned or prepared today, items held out of temperature for over 12 hours. See stop sale **Warning**
03A-02-5
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 after multiple attempts - dishwasher machine 00ppm. **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed at bar - approximately 10 small flying insects landing on avocados. Operator killed 6 and sanitized area. **Warning**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Observed at reach in cooler - chicken soup - seafood soup - ox tail - beef soup **Warning**
01B-24-5
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed 4 employees on duty with no proof of any training. All 4 employees hired more than 60 days ago. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed at handwashing sink next to triple sink. **Warning**
31B-03-4
33
Feb 27, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 11, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
78
Apr 6, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed shredded mozzarella (51°F - Cold Holding) at cook line. Per operator, food not prepped or portioned today; out of temperature for approximately 1 hour. Operator put mozzarella in ice bath to quick chill. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
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. Emailed vomit and diarrhea clean up procedures to operator. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee water bottle stored on top of cutting board on flip top cooler in kitchen. Employee removed. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
74
Dec 15, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired as of 12/01/2022.
50-17-2
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw bacon, steak and shrimp stored in top of drawer above cut tomatoes, shredded cheese, and cooked onions. Operator removed ready to eat foods and stored above. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels on containers stacked on shelves above dishwashing area. Advised operator to remove old labels.
16-46-4
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Costa Mexican Latin Cuisine last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Costa Mexican Latin Cuisine on file is from Mar 3, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Costa Mexican Latin Cuisine?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at La Costa Mexican Latin Cuisine.
How does La Costa Mexican Latin Cuisine compare to other restaurants in Fort Lauderdale?
La Costa Mexican Latin Cuisine most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Fort Lauderdale average of 80.
Has La Costa Mexican Latin Cuisine's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at La Costa Mexican Latin Cuisine have averaged around four violations per visit, up from roughly one earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at La Costa Mexican Latin Cuisine 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 La Costa Mexican Latin Cuisine inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Costa Mexican Latin Cuisine is inspected around three times per year on average.
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