Taqueria El Paisa
Last inspected: Apr 8, 2026
90
Score
Going back to 2022, Taqueria El Paisa has 14 inspections in the public record. The newest entry in the record is dated Apr 8, 2026. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near three violations per visit across recent inspections.
Across the inspection history, “raw animal foods not properly separated” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale average 80, so Taqueria El Paisa is doing better than most peers. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
14
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 8, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Addition of food preparation area in back of kitchen. Three compartment sink and hand wash sink present **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2026-02-03: 59 days **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2026-04-08: No plans submitted to plan review **Admin Complaint**
51-16-7
90
Feb 3, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Addition of food preparation area in back of kitchen. Three compartment sink and hand wash sink present **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2026-02-03: 59 days **Time Extended**
51-16-7
90
Feb 2, 2026
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
32
Oct 20, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Back patio which was previously screened in is now enclosed by walls. Includes multiple prep areas and cold holding equipment. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-10-20: No plans have been submitted and approved **Admin Complaint**
51-16-7
90
Aug 12, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
58
Jun 5, 2025
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken stored above raw beef. Operator relocated the chicken to bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Operator provided. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Operator provided. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Blocked with items from 3 compartment sink. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees.
31B-04-4
61
Mar 14, 2025
Complaint Full
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee wiped face then proceeded to handle clean pan without washing hands. PIC informed above the importance of washing hands.
12A-25-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed cooked steak stored next to raw chicken and steak in reach in cooler. PIC demo fed and stored appropriately. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken stored next to raw steak in reach in cooler across from cook line. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Beans (114F- hot holding, second temperature 185F), Steak (133F- hot holding). Per operator, item has been out of temperature for approximately 30mins. Items placed to be reheated. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03B-01-6
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.
11-26-1
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee beverage on cutting board at flip top cooler. Employee removed and stored appropriately.
12B-07-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed steak defrosting at room temperature at preparation table in back of kitchen. Employee removed and stored appropriately. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. Observed soiled wet wiping cloth in use at preparation table. PIC placed wiping cloth in sanitizer solution. **Corrected On-Site**
21-09-4
Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Observed under three compartment sink. Employee removed and stored appropriately. **Corrected On-Site**
21-38-4
41
Jan 22, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. In the kitchen reach in cooler, raw chicken over raw beef. The items were switched to be stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. At the grill station, cooked chicken (125F - Hot Holding); cooked beef (125F - Hot Holding). The items were being stored next to the grill. The items were returned to the grill to reheat to 165F to hot hold **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At the sink between the cook line and the triple sink. The paper towels were supplied during the inspection **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. At the sink between the cook line and the triple sink. The soap was provided during the inspection **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. In a bin of raw beef and vegetables, a bowl was stored and used to dispense the product. The bowl was removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. The flip top cooler lower door gaskets are torn.
14-11-5
55
Sep 18, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Feb 14, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. In the reach in cooler, raw cut cabbage and unwrapped tortillas were stored in thank you bags. The items were removed from the bags. **Corrected On-Site**
14-31-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In the TRUE reach in cooler, raw chicken was stored over a bin containing raw beef, raw shrimp and cooked peppers. The items were removed and reorganized. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Two bags of frozen raw chicken thawing in standing water on the prep table in the kitchen. Employee cleaned and sanitized sink and placed chicken under running water. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
70
Dec 11, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations.
View 4 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed
FL-27
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
64
Dec 4, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees.
31B-04-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. In Premium levella reach in located in front of truck.
05-09-4
90
Mar 3, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 5, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with cooked rice in steam table in cook line. **Repeat Violation**
14-31-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Flip top cooler cut tomatoes 45F , held under 4 hours ago, operator moved to reach in cooler for quick chill. True refrigerator in kitchen; cheese (45F) held less than 1 hr per manager. Per manager, cheese was delivered an hr ago.
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food thermometer(s) not calibrated according to manufacturer's specifications. Thermometer broken / damaged
05-07-4
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Training will be reviewed at the next routine inspection.
53B-05-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall next to true refrigerator in kitchen.
36-24-5
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
29-49-6
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taqueria El Paisa last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taqueria El Paisa on file is from Apr 8, 2026. The public record contains 14 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Taqueria El Paisa?
Across the inspection record, “raw animal foods not properly separated” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Taqueria El Paisa.
How does Taqueria El Paisa compare to other restaurants in Fort Lauderdale?
Taqueria El Paisa most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Fort Lauderdale average of 80.
Has Taqueria El Paisa's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Taqueria El Paisa have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Taqueria El Paisa means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Taqueria El Paisa inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Taqueria El Paisa is inspected around four times per year on average.
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