LA FIESTA MEXICAN COCINA
State Highway 500
Ocala, Florida, 37775
Marion County County
Overall Food Safety Rating
★★½☆☆ (2.5/5)
Based on 7 health inspection reports
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All Inspection Reports
Inspection on 4/21/2025
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 4/21/2025 revealed 1 total violations (0 high priority, 0 intermediate, 0 basic).
Inspection on 4/18/2025
High Priority
3
Intermediate
4
Basic
8
Total
15
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 14-09-4:Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting board on flip-top make table in kitchen with grooves with black stains.
- 35A-03-4:Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Three dead roaches by the handwash sink by the back door.
- 24-08-4:Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean stacked Equipment ( plastic bins )not properly air-dried, and stored wet on clean ware rack resulting in wet nesting.
- 08B-38-4:Basic - Food stored on floor. Container of beef and Chicken on floor of walk-in-freezer
- 14-69-4:Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup up on floor of walk-in-freezer
- 10-20-4:Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs stored on oven door handle.
- 35B-03-4:Basic - Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Exterior back door to kitchen does not have a self closing mechanism
- 21-12-4:Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth stored on prep table.
- 08A-04-5:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw shelled eggs stored over cilantro and salsa buckets
- 35A-05-4:High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Two live roaches by the back kitchen door Warning
- 03B-01-6:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Beef at steam table at 115F, Manager advised that beef had been there for 90 minutes. Manager had beef reheated to 165F
- 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on flip-top make table with mold like substance in the grooves in kitchen.
- 31A-09-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwash sink at back of kitchen by back door blocked by equipment
- 31A-11-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Handwash sink at server station had two straws in the sink, the handwash sink at the entrance of the kitchen had a sanitizer bucket in the sink
- 02C-02-5:Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. two containers of salsa with no date mark prepared over 24 hours earlier
Food safety inspection conducted on 4/18/2025 revealed 15 total violations (3 high priority, 4 intermediate, 8 basic).
Inspection on 8/13/2024
High Priority
1
Intermediate
0
Basic
0
Total
1
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 22-41-4:High Priority - - From initial inspection : 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. Dishmachine at 0ppm Cl Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-13: Dishmachine at 0ppm Cl Admin Complaint
Food safety inspection conducted on 8/13/2024 revealed 1 total violations (1 high priority, 0 intermediate, 0 basic).
Inspection on 7/29/2024
High Priority
3
Intermediate
5
Basic
14
Total
22
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 14-01-5:Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl with no handle used to dispense food ( juice ) in reach in cooler.
- 12B-07-4:Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink stored on prep table next to microwave. Repeat Violation
- 24-08-4:Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Equipment not properly air-dried, and stored wet on clean ware rack resulting in wet nesting. Repeat Violation
- 36-22-4:Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Standing water on floor of walk-in-cooler
- 08B-38-4:Basic - Food stored on floor. Box of Corn in husk stored on the floor of the walk-in-cooler. Repeat Violation
- 36-24-5:Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Several holes in the wall in mop sink room. Repeat Violation
- 10-14-5:Basic - Ice bucket not stored inverted or in a protected manner between uses. Ice bucket used to transport ice not stored inverted or in a protected manner by ice machine.
- 14-69-4:Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup up on floor of walk-in-freezer
- 10-08-5:Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Ice scoop handle in ice at server stations. Scoop handle touching non-TCS food in sugar bin.
- 12B-13-4:Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Open employee drink in reach in cooler on cookline. Employee drink on prep table next to microwave
- 08B-39-4:Basic - Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Observed cut produce ( avocado) located in flip-top make table with produce stickers still on produce.
- 08B-17-4:Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed produce (strawberries ) stored over ready-to-eat food ( Flan and home drinks ) in reach in cooler. Avocado with sticker stored in cheese at flip-top make table cooler
- 29-11-4:Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Leaking pipe coming from wall in mop sink room.
- 21-09-4:Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. Dishwasher dried pan that he washed with soiled wiping cloth that hangs on his waist belt.
- 22-41-4: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. Dishmachine at 0ppm Cl Warning
- 12A-13-4:High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee wearing gloves handled a 55 gallon container with chips and poured them into chip warmer. Employee handled the bottom of the 55 gallon container that rests on the floor while pouring the chips into the warmer. Employee then handled the ice scoop and filled a clean metal container without removing gloves, washing hands and putting on clean gloves
- 14-31-5:High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Tortillas a stored in non-food grade bags (Thank-you bags) in walk-in-cooler
- 31A-09-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink next to ice machine blocked by equipment. Cup and sanitizer bucket in hand wash sink on cook line. Repeat Violation
- 53A-05-6:Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ No certified food manager present at time of inspection with six employees working.
- 31B-02-4:Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand wash sink on cook line do not have soap or paper towels.
- 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. Person in charge was not able to provide any food handler certificates for any of the employees. Warning
- 41-04-4:Intermediate - Toxic substance/chemical on premise that is not required for the operation of establishment. Gasoline container containing gasoline stored next to ice machine.
Food safety inspection conducted on 7/29/2024 revealed 22 total violations (3 high priority, 5 intermediate, 14 basic).
Inspection on 1/18/2024
High Priority
3
Intermediate
3
Basic
9
Total
15
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 12B-02-4:Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed employee on cookline eating chips. Observed employee coffee on prep table which prepping Chicken. Repeat Violation
- 24-08-4:Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed equipment not properly air-dried, and stored wet on clean ware rack resulting in wet nesting. Repeat Violation
- 08B-36-4:Basic - Food stored in a location that is exposed to splash/dust. Observed hand wash sink by steam Bain with food hot holding in kitchen susceptible to splash from hand wash sink.
- 08B-38-4:Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed plastic container of oil on floor on kitchen. Manager placed container on shelf. Corrected On-Site
- 36-24-5:Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed two holes in wall in mop room.
- 29-49-6:Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed standing water in bottom of flip-top make table cooler on cook line.
- 08B-12-5:Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed container of beef in reach in flip-top make table cooler uncovered. Employee placed a cover on container Corrected On-Site
- 42-01-4:Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed wet mop not in use stored in mop sink.
- 21-38-4:Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Observed sanitizer bucket stored on floor by server station.
- 08A-04-5:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed box of raw shelled eggs stored above pineapples and cut leafy greens in walk-in-cooler . Repeat Violation Admin Complaint
- 12A-09-4:High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed employee wearing gloves touch their face and then proceed to wash their hands while still wearing gloves. Employee did not remove gloves to wash their hands and put on a clean set of gloves. Discussed with Manager and advised employee how to properly wash their hands. **Corrective Action Taken**
- 01B-13-4:High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed container of tomato sauce dated nine days earlier inn walk-in-cooler
- 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed microwave on cookline next to flip-top make table cooler soiled with grease and food on the inside and outside. Repeat Violation
- 31A-09-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand wash sink sink at server station blocked by a chair. Employee removed chair. Observed lemon in hand wash sink next to stream Bain. Manager removed lemon from hand wash sink. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation
- 16-37-1:Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed establishment does not have chemical test strips for dishmachine or three-compartment sink Repeat Violation
Food safety inspection conducted on 1/18/2024 revealed 15 total violations (3 high priority, 3 intermediate, 9 basic).
Inspection on 9/18/2023
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 9/18/2023 revealed 1 total violations (0 high priority, 0 intermediate, 0 basic).
Inspection on 7/11/2023
High Priority
2
Intermediate
5
Basic
10
Total
17
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 14-01-5:Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed Bowl or container with no handle used to dispense food (Horchata, sugar)
- 12B-07-4:Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink bottle stored on top of flip-top make table cooler. Manager removed drink Corrected On-Site
- 24-08-4:Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed equipment not properly air-dried, and stored wet on clean ware rack resulting in wet nesting.
- 10-14-5:Basic - Ice bucket not stored inverted or in a protected mannerbetween uses. Observed ice bucket used to transport ice not stored inverted or in a protected manner by ice machine. Manaager inverted ice buckets Corrected On-Site
- 10-20-4:Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs stored on oven door handle. manager removed tongs Corrected On-Site
- 10-01-5:Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food ( sugar )
- 16-46-4:Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels not removed from food containers after cleaning on the clean ware rack.
- 08B-39-4:Basic - Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Observed produce ( avocado ) located in flip-top make table with produce stickers still on produce.
- 08B-17-4:Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Observed unwashed produce (mangos ) stored over ready-to-eat food (Horchata ) in reach in cooler
- 02D-01-5:Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed working container of food removed ( sugar, Horchata ) from original container not identified by common name.
- 14-31-5:High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed nonfood-grade t-shirt bag used in direct contact with food(tortillas). Employee placed tortillas in aluminum tray Corrected On-Site
- 08A-05-6:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed box of eggs stored above sauces in walk-in-cooler . Employee moved eggs to bottom shelf. Corrected On-Site
- 11-27-4: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. Observed person in charge at 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. Inspector provided vomitting and diarrhea procedure.
- 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed food-contact surface of commercial can opener soiled with food debris, mold-like substance.
- 31A-09-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand wash sink by server station and one in kitchen blocked by equipment
- 16-37-1:Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed not test strips available at establishment
- 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. Observed person in charge provided No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. Warning
Food safety inspection conducted on 7/11/2023 revealed 17 total violations (2 high priority, 5 intermediate, 10 basic).