AZUL TEQUILA MEXICAN CUISINE
2521 US Highway 27 North
Florida, 33870
Highlands County County
Overall Food Safety Rating
★★☆☆☆ (2.3/5)
Based on 6 health inspection reports
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Nearby Locations
All Inspection Reports
Inspection on 5/12/2025
High Priority
3
Intermediate
4
Basic
8
Total
15
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 22-20-5:Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine. Warning
- 36-34-5:Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling vents and tiles soiled in the back preparation area. Repeat Violation Warning
- 14-09-4:Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards on the cook line. Warning
- 36-22-4:Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Standing water next to the walk in cooler, cook line and back preparation area. Repeat Violation Warning
- 08B-38-4:Basic - Food stored on floor. Bags of flour and rice stored on the floor in the dry storage area. Manager placed the items on a shelf. Corrected On-Site Warning
- 14-69-4:Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice buildup in the reach in freezer on the shelves and under the condenser. Repeat Violation Warning
- 29-49-6:Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Reach in cooler on the left side of the cook line. Warning
- 21-12-4:Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Manager placed the towels in a sanitizer solution. Corrected On-Site Warning
- 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. Sanitizer reading of the dishwasher 00ppm chlorine. Manager stoped using the dishwasher, set up the three compartment sink to properly sanitize and called the technician. Warning
- 41-10-4:High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Spray bottle containing cleaning fluid stored next to clean plates on the cook line. Manager removed the bottle. Corrected On-Site Warning
- 41-27-4:High Priority - Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed. Wiping cloth sanitizer reading +200ppm chlorine. Manager replaced the sanitizer, new reading 100ppm chlorine. Corrected On-Site Warning
- 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. Emailed handouts to the operator Warning
- 31B-03-4:Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Hand washing sink in the bar area. Manager placed soap at the hand washing sink. Corrected On-Site Warning
- 02B-02-5:Intermediate - Raw/undercooked animal food offered and establishment has no written consumer advisory. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service. Manager posted a consumer advisory before the end of the inspection. Corrected On-Site Warning
- 41-17-4:Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottles containing cleaning fluid not labeled. Manager labeled the bottles. Corrected On-Site Warning
Food safety inspection conducted on 5/12/2025 revealed 15 total violations (3 high priority, 4 intermediate, 8 basic).
Inspection on 2/5/2025
High Priority
0
Intermediate
1
Basic
11
Total
12
Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
Inspection Details:
- 36-32-5:Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair.observed a ceiling tile in dry storage area damaged and falling down.
- 36-34-5:Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling vents soiled over the coffee machine.
- 36-03-4:Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Observed missing cove tile when entering kitchen.
- 50-09-4:Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
- 36-22-4:Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing water at the entrance to the walk in cooler. Corrected On-Site
- 35B-08-4:Basic - Fly sticky tape hanging over food/food preparation area/food-contact equipment. Observed 2 fly sticky tapes hanging in the kitchen. Operator removed. Corrected On-Site
- 14-69-4:Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup up on the ceiling, shelving and food products in the walk in freezer.
- 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters with a grease build up.
- 35B-03-4:Basic - Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors.
- 24-18-4:Basic - Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. Observed spoons stored upright. Operator corrected. Corrected On-Site
- 29-03-4:Basic - Water draining onto floor surface. Observed water draining on the floor when operating the dish machine.
- 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed the can opener in disrepair and the mount soiled and rusted.
Food safety inspection conducted on 2/5/2025 revealed 12 total violations (0 high priority, 1 intermediate, 11 basic).
Inspection on 2/9/2024
High Priority
0
Intermediate
0
Basic
1
Total
1
Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
Inspection Details:
- 36-17-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed broken tiles and grout receded in a way that makes floor hard to clean. Old food debris trapped on grout lines. - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-09: **Time Extended**
Food safety inspection conducted on 2/9/2024 revealed 1 total violations (0 high priority, 0 intermediate, 1 basic).
Inspection on 1/29/2024
High Priority
1
Intermediate
1
Basic
8
Total
10
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 22-20-5:Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed heavy black and grey slime on interior of ice machine dripping down from upper interior. Repeat Violation
- 14-05-4:Basic - Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Observed soiled cardboard lining spice shelves on dry storage.
- 16-55-4:Basic - Dishmachine not washing/rinsing properly. Must wash, rinse and sanitize all dishware, equipment and utensils in three-compartment sink until dishmachine is functioning properly. Observed dishwasher not sanitizing. Sanitizer at 0 ppm. Operator may not use the dishwasher to wash dishes until able to sanitize dishes at 50 to 100 ppm. Repeat Violation Warning
- 36-17-5:Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed broken tiles and grout receded in a way that makes floor hard to clean. Old food debris trapped on grout lines.
- 08B-38-4:Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed open bags of rice and flour stored on floor at dry storage area. Operator moved to shelves. Corrected On-Site
- 10-08-5:Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice at bar. Operator removed and placed clean pan to store scoops.
- 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 scoop handle in contact with chips in tortilla warmer.
- 25-06-4:Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination at bar operator inverted.
- 41-10-4:High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed wad 40 spray stored with clean dishes. Operator removed.
- 31B-05-4:Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels at warewash area.
Food safety inspection conducted on 1/29/2024 revealed 10 total violations (1 high priority, 1 intermediate, 8 basic).
Inspection on 9/27/2023
High Priority
1
Intermediate
0
Basic
2
Total
3
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 28-02-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Condensation or other drainage not disposed of according to law. Observed soda drain lines at bar not attached and dripage draining from soda guns on to floor. Repeat Violation Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-27: **Time Extended**
- 22-13-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Soda gun dispenser not cleaned at least once every 24 hours. Observed heavy slime on interior of soda guns at bar. Repeat Violation Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-27: At callback observed slime inside soda dispenser nozzles. Admin Complaint
- 03B-01-6:High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed steak (90F - Hot Holding); chicken (92F - Hot Holding); diced chicken (112F - Hot Holding); shrimp (114F - Hot Holding); diced beef (110F - Hot Holding) also observed steam table water at 128F. Manager stated foods were in steam table less than one hour had cook reheat to 165F and turn up heat on steam table. **Corrective Action Taken** Repeat Violation Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-27: At callback 9/27/23 observed 1serving chicken 1burger and one serving of steak held in warming steam unit together and at at 117F. Foods have been in unit per cook for approximately 2.5 hours. Must use or discard by 53m. Admin Complaint
Food safety inspection conducted on 9/27/2023 revealed 3 total violations (1 high priority, 0 intermediate, 2 basic).
Inspection on 9/26/2023
High Priority
3
Intermediate
2
Basic
6
Total
11
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 22-20-5:Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed large amounts of black and clear slime dripping from interior of ice machine into stored ice also black slimy growth on exterior and doors of ice machine. Manager turned off ice machine and will have machine cleaned. Repeat Violation Warning
- 28-02-4:Basic - Condensation or other drainage not disposed of according to law. Observed soda drain lines at bar not attached and dripage draining from soda guns on to floor. Repeat Violation Warning
- 16-55-4:Basic - Dishmachine not washing/rinsing properly. Must wash, rinse and sanitize all dishware, equipment and utensils in three-compartment sink until dishmachine is functioning properly. Observed Dishwasher unable to dispense sanitizer found at 0ppm. Warning
- 33-29-4:Basic - Grease receptacle lid open, broken, or missing. Repeat Violation Warning
- 33-16-4:Basic - Open dumpster lid. Repeat Violation Warning
- 22-13-5:Basic - Soda gun dispenser not cleaned at least once every 24 hours. Observed heavy slime on interior of soda guns at bar. Repeat Violation Warning
- 01B-02-5:High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed cooked beef (50F - Cold Holding); cooked pork (51F - Cold Holding); cooked fish (50F - Cold Holding); cheese (51F - Cold Holding)in reach in cooler across from cookline ambient air of cooler 50F and water was observed pooled on bottom of unit. See stop sale Warning
- 03A-02-5:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cut tomatoes (53F - Cold Holding); ; green salsa (62F - Cold Holding); red salsa (57F - Cold Holding); house pico (57F - Cold Holding) on waitstaff prep line. Container held in melted ice with only bottom touching water. Ice not replenished as needed and container not submerged to level of food. Observed whole tilapia 51F cold holding, cooked beef (50F - Cold Holding); cooked pork (51F - Cold Holding); cooked fish (50F - Cold Holding); cheese (51F - Cold Holding)in reach in cooler across from cookline ambient air of cooler 50F and water was observed pooled on bottom of unit. See stop sale 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. Observed steak (90F - Hot Holding); chicken (92F - Hot Holding); diced chicken (112F - Hot Holding); shrimp (114F - Hot Holding); diced beef (110F - Hot Holding) also observed steam table water at 128F. Manager stated foods were in steam table less than one hour had cook reheat to 165F and turn up heat on steam table. **Corrective Action Taken** Repeat Violation Warning
- 31A-09-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed large garbage can in front of handsink at waitstaff prep handsink. Warning
- 31B-03-4:Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap At dishwasher handsink, sanitizer in prep handsink soap dispenser, manager replaced all. Warning
Food safety inspection conducted on 9/26/2023 revealed 11 total violations (3 high priority, 2 intermediate, 6 basic).