The Taco Haven
Last inspected: Jan 28, 2026
64
Score
The health department has logged 11 inspections at The Taco Haven, the earliest from 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Jan 28, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around four violations each.
Looking across the full record, “raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce” is the recurring theme, flagged two times.
By comparison, the average Pembroke Pines facility scores 79, putting The Taco Haven on the weaker side. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
11
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 28, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 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
64
Dec 1, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
67
Sep 8, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
45
Feb 24, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
74
Aug 21, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. -Observed raw shell eggs stored over cases with unwashed vegetables in Fagor Cooler. Operator relocate raw shell eggs. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drinks stored on food preparation table next to food items. Operator removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer .
14-69-4
74
Mar 5, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other during preparation based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken and ground beef stored in same container at reach in cooler.
08A-24-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed no date marked on tomato soup stored in refrigerator. Per operator, soup made yesterday morning. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas.
36-37-5
74
Jan 17, 2024
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 3 major violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. -Observed raw chicken tenders stored over French Fries in reach in freezer. Operator relocate raw chicken. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-17: At the time of callback inspection, Observed raw chicken tenders stored over French Fries in reach in freezer. **Admin Complaint**
08A-02-6
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-17: Violation not complied **Admin Complaint**
11-26-1
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Required employee training provided by an unapproved provider. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-17: Violation not complied. **Admin Complaint**
53B-03-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No certified food manager for establishment. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-17: Violation not complied. **Admin Complaint**
53A-07-6
64
Nov 14, 2023
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. -Observed raw beef and pork stored over cases with unwashed produces in Fagor refrigerator. **Warning**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. -Observed raw chicken tenders stored over French Fries in reach in freezer. Operator relocate raw chicken. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-02-6
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. **Warning**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. -Observed at 11:30 a.m. no date marked on soup stored in refrigerator. Per operator, soup cooked at 9:00 a.m. yesterday. Soup held more than 25 hours without date marked. **Warning**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Required employee training provided by an unapproved provider. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning**
53B-03-5
Intermediate - No certified food manager for establishment. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ **Warning**
53A-07-6
Basic - Stored food not covered. -Observed an uncovered container with soup stored in refrigerator. Soup placed in unit from yesterday. **Warning**
08B-12-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. -Observed steak and ground beef thawing at room temperature. Advice operator to placed items underneath running water. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
06-01-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. -Observed employee cellular phone stored on food preparation table next to food items. **Warning**
40-06-5
43
Jul 25, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
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. A poster has been given to the operator.
11-26-1
90
Jan 31, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. Poster provided **Corrective Action Taken**
11-07-5
90
Aug 16, 2022
Food-Licensing Inspection
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster. - Observed dumpster lid open.
33-11-4
Basic - Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors.
35B-03-4
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Taco Haven last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Taco Haven on file is from Jan 28, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Taco Haven?
Across the inspection record, “raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at The Taco Haven.
How does The Taco Haven compare to other restaurants in Pembroke Pines?
The Taco Haven most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Pembroke Pines average of 79.
Has The Taco Haven's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Taco Haven have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at The Taco Haven 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 The Taco Haven inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Taco Haven is inspected around three times per year on average.
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