EL PALENQUE RESTAURANT & CANTINA
1915 West Pensacola Street
Tallahassee, Florida, 32304
Leon County County
Overall Food Safety Rating
★★★★☆ (4.1/5)
Based on 10 health inspection reports
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Nearby Locations
All Inspection Reports
Inspection on 4/15/2025
High Priority
0
Intermediate
1
Basic
4
Total
5
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 40-06-5:Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed jacket stored on top of can foods intended for customer service. **Repeat Violation**
- 35B-01-4:Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside-rear exit door. **Repeat Violation**
- 36-22-4:Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing water on floor beside handwashing sink at rear of kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
- 36-64-5:Basic - Objectionable odors in bathroom or other areas of the establishment. Observed objectionable odor beside handwashing sink near dry storage area. **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. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Food safety inspection conducted on 4/15/2025 revealed 5 total violations (0 high priority, 1 intermediate, 4 basic).
Inspection on 1/10/2025
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 1/10/2025 revealed 1 total violations (0 high priority, 0 intermediate, 0 basic).
Inspection on 12/30/2024
High Priority
0
Intermediate
1
Basic
0
Total
1
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 27-16-4:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided. Observed no hot water for entire establishment. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-16: Upon call back no hot water in building. Observed hand sink in kitchen 71F. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-17: At callback no hot water, per office 7 day extension. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-30: At callback no hot water, hand sanitizer observed at Hand sinks. **Time Extended**
Food safety inspection conducted on 12/30/2024 revealed 1 total violations (0 high priority, 1 intermediate, 0 basic).
Inspection on 12/17/2024
High Priority
0
Intermediate
1
Basic
0
Total
1
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 27-16-4:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided. Observed no hot water for entire establishment. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-16: Upon call back no hot water in building. Observed hand sink in kitchen 71F. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-17: At callback no hot water, per office 7 day extension. **Time Extended**
Food safety inspection conducted on 12/17/2024 revealed 1 total violations (0 high priority, 1 intermediate, 0 basic).
Inspection on 12/16/2024
High Priority
0
Intermediate
1
Basic
0
Total
1
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 27-16-4:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided. Observed no hot water for entire establishment. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-16: Upon call back no hot water in building. Observed hand sink in kitchen 71F. **Time Extended**
Food safety inspection conducted on 12/16/2024 revealed 1 total violations (0 high priority, 1 intermediate, 0 basic).
Inspection on 12/13/2024
High Priority
4
Intermediate
2
Basic
10
Total
16
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 12B-07-4:Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. By napkins on back prep table and by can openers. Drinks discarded at time of inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
- 40-06-5:Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed jacket over food containers by prep area.
- 35B-01-4:Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed gap at back door of kitchen exit. **Repeat Violation**
- 36-22-4:Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water behind ice machine.
- 33-38-4:Basic - No waste receptacle installed at handwash sink provided with disposable towels. Observed no trash cans by handwashing sink in kitchen prep area.
- 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach-in freezer interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed freezer not in use with food build up on walk in doors and shelves.
- 36-64-5:Basic - Objectionable odors in bathroom or other areas of the establishment. Observed odor in kitchen hand sink storage shelf area.
- 08B-12-5:Basic - Stored food not covered. Black beans in walk-in uncovered.
- 29-11-4:Basic - Water leaking from CO2 condenser.
- 21-07-4:Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Tested at 0ppm corrected to 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
- 01B-13-4:High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed chunks in chicken flour. per manager flour not sifted for two days.
- 01B-02-5:High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse.
- 03A-02-5:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Diced tomatoes 46F, per operator item in cooler overnight. See stop sale. Pico 45F, sour créme 45F, shredded lettuce 50F, at 3:45pm, per operator in cooler since 11am. 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 Mexican rice at 74F. Operator discarded rice.
- 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. This violation is being addressed on a previous inspection from 4-10-24.
- 27-16-4:Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided. Observed no hot water for entire establishment. **Warning**
Food safety inspection conducted on 12/13/2024 revealed 16 total violations (4 high priority, 2 intermediate, 10 basic).
Inspection on 12/13/2024
High Priority
0
Intermediate
1
Basic
0
Total
1
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 53B-01-5:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-03: Operator stated she signed up for ServSafe Hispanic test schedule August 13th. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-12: Did not observe employee food safety training certificates during time of call back. Operator, Cecilia Matias, stated she took her Serve Safe certified food manager test August 13th 2024, but cannot locate scores. I assisted Cecilia by looking online but could not find certificate. Operator received score access code. Operator cannot certify employee training certificate until she receives her certified food manager certification number. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-13: Operator Cecilia G Matias Gaspar has received her certified food manager certification 8-13-2024 and has received the Florida Restaurant and Lodging book to provide her food handlers. Operator stated she is having her employee take the test next week 11/18/2024. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-12-13: No employee training provided by call back date. **Admin Complaint**
Food safety inspection conducted on 12/13/2024 revealed 1 total violations (0 high priority, 1 intermediate, 0 basic).
Inspection on 11/13/2024
High Priority
0
Intermediate
1
Basic
0
Total
1
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 53B-01-5:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-03: Operator stated she signed up for ServSafe Hispanic test schedule August 13th. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-12: Did not observe employee food safety training certificates during time of call back. Operator, Cecilia Matias, stated she took her Serve Safe certified food manager test August 13th 2024, but cannot locate scores. I assisted Cecilia by looking online but could not find certificate. Operator received score access code. Operator cannot certify employee training certificate until she receives her certified food manager certification number. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-13: Operator Cecilia G Matias Gaspar has received her certified food manager certification 8-13-2024 and has received the Florida Restaurant and Lodging book to provide her food handlers. Operator stated she is having her employee take the test next week 11/18/2024. **Time Extended**
Food safety inspection conducted on 11/13/2024 revealed 1 total violations (0 high priority, 1 intermediate, 0 basic).
Inspection on 9/12/2024
High Priority
0
Intermediate
1
Basic
0
Total
1
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 53B-01-5:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-03: Operator stated she signed up for ServSafe Hispanic test schedule August 13th. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-09-12: Did not observe employee food safety training certificates during time of call back. Operator, Cecilia Matias, stated she took her Serve Safe certified food manager test August 13th 2024, but cannot locate scores. I assisted Cecilia by looking online but could not find certificate. Operator received score access code. Operator cannot certify employee training certificate until she receives her certified food manager certification number. **Time Extended**
Food safety inspection conducted on 9/12/2024 revealed 1 total violations (0 high priority, 1 intermediate, 0 basic).
Inspection on 7/3/2024
High Priority
0
Intermediate
1
Basic
0
Total
1
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 53B-01-5:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-03: Operator stated she signed up for ServSafe Hispanic test schedule August 13th. **Time Extended**
Food safety inspection conducted on 7/3/2024 revealed 1 total violations (0 high priority, 1 intermediate, 0 basic).