Las Margaritas Cafeteria
Last inspected: Feb 20, 2026
22
Score
Las Margaritas Cafeteria appears in inspection records nine times, starting in 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Feb 20, 2026. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around four violations to closer to nine violations.
Looking across the full record, “accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” is the recurring theme, flagged six times.
By comparison, the average Hialeah facility scores 76, putting Las Margaritas Cafeteria on the weaker side. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
9
Inspections
4
Critical latest
5
Major latest
8
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 20, 2026
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 5 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 17 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw shell eggs stored on top of washed limes. Employee stored properly during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed at back storage area next to kitchen.
29-34-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Cooked Onions (130F - Hot Holding) inside steam table at front counter. Operator removed and reheated during inspection Cooked Onions (167F - Reheating). **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Natural Minced Garlic (76F - Cold Holding) on top of preparation table at kitchen area. As per operator stored outside for less than 2 hours. Employee stored inside walk in cooler for rapid cooling. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Employee did not report symptoms/diagnosis of a disease transmissible through food to the person in charge. Observed employee Tomas C. with no employee health agreement. As per operator hired less than a month. Provided form to operator. Operator provided employee health agreement signed by employee during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
11-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener blade soiled at preparation table at kitchen area. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chlorine test kit available at the time of inspection.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towel at hand wash sink at kitchen area. Employee provided during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Person in charge unable to answer basic questions about allergens.
53A-15-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed black mold like substance inside ice machine at front counter.
22-20-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed clean utensils stored not inverted inside container under preparation table at kitchen area.
24-05-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed hole on the wall next to the floor outside of walk in cooler at kitchen area.
36-24-5
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster.
33-11-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided choking poster to operator. **Corrected On-Site**
51-13-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed cases of plastic cups stored on the floor at front counter.
25-05-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed sugar container not identified at front counter.
02D-01-5
22
Sep 26, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can blade opener soiled on prep table. Operator started cleaning blade. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed at front counter. Operator started to clean. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-20-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed next to triple sink.
31B-04-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
78
Jan 2, 2025
Routine - Food
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin, located at front counter.
22-20-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. During the inspection employee removed item. **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed 1 case of water stored on the floor at front counter. During the inspection employee removed item and placed correctly.
08B-38-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable, located at cooking line.
14-09-4
78
Jul 8, 2024
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
82
Feb 8, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed kitchen employees touching body parts before engaging in food preparation no hand washing. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-29-4
Intermediate - Food thermometer(s) not calibrated according to manufacturer's specifications. **Corrected On-Site**
05-07-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opene.
22-02-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. **Corrected On-Site**
21-09-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Most kitchen coolers.
05-09-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner.
24-05-4
61
Nov 28, 2023
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed hole in kitchen area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-28: Still observed **Time Extended**
36-32-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-11-28: Still observed **Time Extended**
22-20-5
90
Nov 15, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw chicken over raw pork inside reach in cooler. **Warning**
08A-17-6
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Warning**
50-17-3
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 dishwasher machine with chlorine sanitation solutions of 0 ppm. **Warning**
22-41-4
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. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
11-26-1
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed hole in kitchen area. **Warning**
36-32-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed raw bacon on walk in cooler floor. Operator properly stored it. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-20-5
50
Apr 7, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
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 dishwasher machine with chlorine sanitation solutions at 0 ppm. Operator properly set up the three compartment sink with chlorine sanitation solutions at 100 pp. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
22-41-4
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. **Repeat Violation**
05-08-4
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. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-27-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Operator replaced paper towels during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
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. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
55
Aug 18, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations.
View 6 violations
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 dishwasher machine with sanitation solutions at 0ppm, operator set up three compartment sink with chlorine sanitation solutions at 100 ppm.
22-41-4
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed raw pork stored inside thank you bags.
14-31-5
High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Observed Chlorine sanitation solutions at 200 ppm, operator add water recheck 100 ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
41-27-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Chlorine test kit.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
05-08-4
47
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Las Margaritas Cafeteria last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Las Margaritas Cafeteria on file is from Feb 20, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Las Margaritas Cafeteria?
Across the inspection record, “accumulation of black/green mold-like substance” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Las Margaritas Cafeteria.
How does Las Margaritas Cafeteria compare to other restaurants in Hialeah?
Las Margaritas Cafeteria most recently scored 22 out of 100, which is lower than the Hialeah average of 76.
Has Las Margaritas Cafeteria's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Las Margaritas Cafeteria have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Las Margaritas Cafeteria means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Las Margaritas Cafeteria inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Las Margaritas Cafeteria is inspected around three times per year on average.
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