EL PARAISO RESTAURANT & TAQUERIA
17312 NW US HWY 19
Overall Food Safety Rating
★½☆☆☆ (1.8/5)
Based on 5 health inspection reports
Location Map
Loading map...
Nearby Locations
All Inspection Reports
Inspection on 3/11/2025
High Priority
5
Intermediate
3
Basic
4
Total
12
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 08B-38-4:Basic - Food stored on floor. Three packages of raw pork stored on floor near three-compartment sink. Employee removed items from the floor during this inspection. Repeat Violation
- 33-16-4:Basic - Open dumpster lid. Dumpster lids both left open.
- 25-05-4:Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Sleeve of foam takeout containers stored directly on floor in kitchen. Manager placed the trays on a shelf during this inspection. Corrected On-Site
- 36-50-4:Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. 1. Floor inside kitchen heavily soiled with food debris. 2. Wall at cookline soiled with dust. 3. Floor inside kitchen heavily storage shed heavily soiled with food debris.
- 03D-02-5:High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. On shelf inside reach-in cooler near cookline: beans (69F-78F - Cooling since 6am). The beans are stored in a very large and deep pan. The manager stated she finished cooking the beans and placed them into the cooler at 6am this morning. Stop sale issued.
- 01B-36-5:High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. On shelf inside reach-in cooler near cookline: beans (69F-78F - Cooling since 6am). The beans are stored in a very large and deep pan. The manager stated she finished cooking the beans and placed them into the cooler at 6am this morning. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
- 03B-01-6:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In warming unit at cookline: pork (85F - Hot Holding); beef (91F - Hot Holding). Manager stated both items have been held hot since 1pm and began reheating them to 165 on grill during this inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
- 41-10-4:High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottle of "3-in-One oil" stored on shelf directly beside seasoning and freezer bags above handwash sink. Manager removed 3-in-one oil from shelf during this inspection. Corrected On-Site
- 29-34-4:High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Backflow prevention device missing at green hose connection on front of building. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
- 03D-15-4:Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. On shelf inside reach-in cooler near cookline: beans (69F-78F - Cooling since 6am). The beans are stored in a very large and deep pan. The manager stated she finished cooking the beans and placed them into the cooler at 6am this morning.
- 53A-03-7:Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ One ServSafe manager certificate for Hidalia Hernandez Garcia expired on 04/10/2024.
- 31A-11-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Dust pan stored down inside handwash sink near cookline. Inspector removed pan in order to wash hands. Corrected On-Site
Food safety inspection conducted on 3/11/2025 revealed 12 total violations (5 high priority, 3 intermediate, 4 basic).
Inspection on 11/18/2024
High Priority
5
Intermediate
0
Basic
6
Total
11
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 14-01-5:Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Single-use condiment cup without handle stored down inside pan of red salsa inside reach-in cooler near kitchen back door. Manager removed condiment cup from salsa during this inspection. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation
- 36-73-4:Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor inside exterior storage shed soiled with dirt/debris. Repeat Violation
- 08B-38-4:Basic - Food stored on floor. Mesh bag containing onions and several bags of potatoes stored directly on floor inside storage shed.
- 33-19-4:Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster. Pile of empty cardboard boxes on ground behind dumpster.
- 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. 1. Foil-wrapped shelving below grill soiled with grease. 2. Interior of reach-in freezer near kitchen entrance soiled with raw meat residue. 3. Handle of reach-in freezer near kitchen entrance soiled with food debris and/or grease. 4. Lids of seasoning containers on shelf near cookline soiled with grease. Repeat Violation
- 16-46-4:Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Old labels stuck to side of two clear plastic pans on clean dish rack above three-compartment sink. Repeat Violation
- 01A-05-4:High Priority - Food/ice received from unapproved source/no invoice provided to verify source. See Stop Sale. Pan containing approximately 3 dozen brown eggs in bottom of reach-in cooler near cookline. Manager does not have receipt or invoice and stated she will take them home today for personal use.
- 14-31-5:High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Several grocery bags filled with raw frozen beef inside reach-in freezer at kitchen entrance. Raw beef is in direct contact with grocery bags.
- 08A-05-6:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Pan containing chopped raw beef stored on shelf directly above pan containing cooked beans inside reach-in cooler near cookline. Manager moved beans away from raw beef during this inspection. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
- 01B-04-5:High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food originating from an unapproved source. Pan containing approximately 3 dozen brown eggs in bottom of reach-in cooler near cookline. Manager does not have receipt or invoice and stated she will take them home today for personal use. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
- 29-34-4:High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Backflow prevention devise missing at grey hose connection on front of building. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
Food safety inspection conducted on 11/18/2024 revealed 11 total violations (5 high priority, 0 intermediate, 6 basic).
Inspection on 4/3/2024
High Priority
8
Intermediate
2
Basic
9
Total
19
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 14-01-5:Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Single-use condiment cup stored inside container of salsa inside reach-in cooler near back door of kitchen. Repeat Violation
- 14-09-4:Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting board at cookline has deep cut marks.
- 40-06-5:Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone and money stored on shelf in center of kitchen above containers of seasoning. Manager removed both from area during this inspection. Corrected On-Site
- 24-08-4:Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Wet nested clear plastic pans on clean dish rack above three-compartment sink.
- 36-73-4:Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor inside storage shed soiled with food debris. Repeat Violation
- 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with grease. Air vents on window air conditioning unit soiled with mold-like substance.
- 16-46-4:Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Remnants of old labels stuck to side of three pans on clean dish rack above three-compartment sink.
- 42-03-5:Basic - Storage of maintenance equipment/tools in areas that may result in cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens and/or single-service and single-use articles. Package of sandpaper stored on wire shelf above takeout containers in center of kitchen.
- 08B-12-5:Basic - Stored food not covered. Bin of rice stored uncovered inside exterior storage shed. Large piece of frozen meat stored uncovered and unwrapped directly on shelf in reach-in freezer at kitchen entrance.
- 03D-01-5:High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within 2 hours. Inside reach-in cooler at cookline: pork (105F - Cooling 2.5 hours); beef (113F - Cooling 5.5 hours). Manager stated the pork began cooling at 11am this morning and the beef began cooling at 9am this morning. Both are stored in closed containers stacked on top of each other and did not cool to below 70F within 2 hours. Stop sale issued. Inspector provided cooling handout in Spanish to manager during this inspection.
- 01B-36-5:High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. Inside reach-in cooler at cookline: pork (105F - Cooling 2.5 hours); beef (113F - Cooling 5.5 hours). Manager stated the pork began cooling at 11am this morning and the beef began cooling at 9am this morning. Both are stored in closed containers stacked on top of each other and did not cool to below 70F within 2 hours. Inspector provided cooling handout in Spanish to manager during this inspection.
- 14-15-4:High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Raw beef stored inside grocery bags inside reach-in freezer at kitchen entrance. Manager had employee place beef into food-grade zip bags during this inspection. Employee in kitchen making horchata in blue "Lowe's" bucket. Manager had employee pour horchata into pitchers during this inspection. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
- 35A-09-4:High Priority - Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. Several live spiders in webs inside exterior storage shed containing dry foods. One live spider in web inside open bin containing rice inside exterior storage shed. Stop sale issued. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
- 08A-05-6:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw personal shell eggs stored on shelf in center of kitchen above containers of seasoning. Manager removed eggs from area during this inspection. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
- 12A-09-4:High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee in kitchen washed gloved hands at handwash sink. Manager had employee remove gloves, wash hands, and put on new gloves. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
- 01B-13-4:High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. One live spider in web inside open bin containing rice inside exterior storage shed.
- 29-34-4:High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Backflow prevention device missing at green hose connection on front of building near picnic table. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
- 03D-15-4:Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Inside reach-in cooler at cookline: pork (105F - Cooling 2.5 hours); beef (113F - Cooling 5.5 hours). Manager stated the pork began cooling at 11am this morning and the beef began cooling at 9am this morning. Both are stored in closed containers stacked on top of each other and did not cool to below 70F within 2 hours. Stop sale issued.
- 31B-02-4:Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at handwash sink in kitchen. Manager replenished towels at handwash sink during this inspection. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation
Food safety inspection conducted on 4/3/2024 revealed 19 total violations (8 high priority, 2 intermediate, 9 basic).
Inspection on 12/8/2023
High Priority
0
Intermediate
0
Basic
0
Total
1
Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
Inspection Details:
- N/A:No Violations Were Observed
Food safety inspection conducted on 12/8/2023 revealed 1 total violations (0 high priority, 0 intermediate, 0 basic).
Inspection on 12/7/2023
High Priority
9
Intermediate
4
Basic
6
Total
19
Disposition: Facility Temporarily Closed
Inspection Details:
- 14-01-5:Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl without handle used as scoop inside bag of rice in exterior storage shed.
- 12B-07-4:Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee bottled water stored inside box of limes on top of limes. Repeat Violation
- 08B-38-4:Basic - Food stored on floor. Bah of chicken and several sealed bags of beef stored on floor below three-compartment sink in kitchen. Inspector had employee place meat into a cooler during this inspection. **Corrective Action Taken**
- 14-42-4:Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. Hood filters missing from hood above grill.
- 36-50-4:Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Floor throughout kitchen soiled with chicken and beef blood and food debris. Wall in kitchen near oven soiled with dust.
- 21-12-4:Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth stored on cutting board in kitchen on steam table.
- 12A-16-4:High Priority - Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Employee entered the kitchen from outside, put on gloves, and began handling food from the cooler and cooking food on the grill. Inspector had manager have employee wash hands. Employee touched phone and clothes, the continued to Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
- 35A-02-6:High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Five flies on and around vegetable storage rack in kitchen near back door. Two flies in kitchen on column near cookline. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
- 14-15-4:High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Pan of rice in steam table lined with a grocery bag.
- 08A-05-6:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Pan of raw beef stored on shelf above pan of beans and package of carrots inside reach-in cooler near cookline.
- 35A-04-4:High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. 17 rodent droppings on top of reach-in freezer in kitchen at entrance close to cookline. Warning
- 12A-09-4:High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Employee washed gloved hands in the three-compartment sink rather than change gloves. Inspector had manager have employee wash hands and change gloves. **Corrective Action Taken**
- 03A-02-5:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. On floor in kitchen below three-compartment sink: beef (47F - Cold Holding). Manager stated the beef was delivered two hours prior. Inspector had manager place beef into refrigeration during this inspection.
- 41-10-4:High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Can of bug spray and bottle of "vapor rub" stored on shelf beside seasonings and sauces in kitchen near prep sink. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
- 29-34-4:High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Backflow prevention device missing from hose connection on front side of building. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
- 12A-03-4:Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed gloved hands in three-compartment sink. Repeat Violation
- 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board at cookline stained. Repeat Violation
- 53B-01-5: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. Manager unable to locate proof of any training for employees during this inspection. Warning
- 31B-02-4:Intermediate - No soap and/or paper towels/mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Handwash sink in kitchen near prep area missing soap and towels. Manager replenished both during this inspection. Corrected On-Site
Food safety inspection conducted on 12/7/2023 revealed 19 total violations (9 high priority, 4 intermediate, 6 basic).