Mi Havana Latin Cafe and Catering
Last inspected: Dec 18, 2025
64
Score
The health department has logged nine inspections at Mi Havana Latin Cafe and Catering, the earliest from 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Dec 18, 2025. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around four violations each.
Across the inspection history, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded five times.
Compared to other Sarasota restaurants (averaging 81), there's room to close the gap. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 18, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
50-17-3
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed a soiled can opener. Operators moved and cleaned. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed ready to eat food items in the reach in coolers needing dates when prepared. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed grease build up on hood make up air vents and hood filters.
23-03-4
Basic - Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Observed a broken non functioning back door closer. **Repeat Violation**
35B-03-4
64
Jul 29, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed ready to eat food items in the reach in coolers needing dates when prepared. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed grease build up on hood make up air vents and filters.
23-03-4
Basic - Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Observed a broken non functioning back door closer. **Repeat Violation**
35B-03-4
82
Dec 17, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
50-17-3
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled can opener. Operator removed for cleaning. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at handwashing sink in back kitchen. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed ready to eat food items in the reach in coolers needing dates when prepared.
02C-02-5
Basic - Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Observed a broken non functioning back door closer.
35B-03-4
61
Jul 2, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
86
Nov 30, 2023
Complaint Full
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood walls and ansul system with grease build up and beginning to drip. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed black mold like substance on wall behind triple sink. **Repeat Violation**
36-27-5
90
Oct 13, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed employee touching ready to eat food without washing hands before and after wearing gloves. Coached employee on proper hand washing and glove changing. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-09-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled can opener on back prep table. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed personal drink above food prep table. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed personal phone stored above food prep table. Operator moved phone. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed greasy ansul system pipes and hood filters beginning to drip. Owner stated hood cleaning company is scheduled. Owner will also wipe down pipes to prevent dripping. **Corrective Action Taken**
23-03-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed a black mold like substance on the wall above the triple sink. **Repeat Violation**
36-27-5
64
Mar 27, 2023
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee handled the trash can then clean equipment without washing hands. Employee washed their hands and changed gloves. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-09-4
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee handled raw bacon then changed their gloves without washing hands. Employee washed their hands and changed gloves. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Beans stored in the stand up reach in cooler prepared on 3/25 not date marked. Owner placed a date mark on the beans. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled. Owner removed the can opener to be cleaned. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Several items stored in the hand washing sink next to the cook line. Manager removed the items. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave in the preparation area. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
22-08-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Walls above the three compartment sink and walls in the preparation area soiled. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
36-27-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. As a repeat violation the importance of following proper protocol with this violation was reinforced with the employee. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
47
Mar 22, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 29, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs above ready-to-eat cut peppers in a container. Operator moved and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed slicer soiled with an accumulation of food debris. Operator cleaned slicer. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hoods and hood filters soiled with an accumulation of grease and food debris. Operator stated a cleaning is scheduled for 08/15/22. **Corrective Action Taken**
23-03-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed chicken and raw beef thawing in a container of cold water. Operator turned on water. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Mi Havana Latin Cafe and Catering last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Mi Havana Latin Cafe and Catering on file is from Dec 18, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Mi Havana Latin Cafe and Catering?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Mi Havana Latin Cafe and Catering.
How does Mi Havana Latin Cafe and Catering compare to other restaurants in Sarasota?
Mi Havana Latin Cafe and Catering most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Sarasota average of 81.
Has Mi Havana Latin Cafe and Catering's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Mi Havana Latin Cafe and Catering have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Mi Havana Latin Cafe and Catering 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 Mi Havana Latin Cafe and Catering inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Mi Havana Latin Cafe and Catering is inspected around three times per year on average.
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