DirtyFLRestaurant Inspection Data

EL PALENQUE RESTAURANT & CANTINA

Based on 16 health inspections, EL PALENQUE RESTAURANT & CANTINA in TALLAHASSEE has earned a 4.2/5 food safety rating. Recent inspections show improving food safety practices.

Last inspection: 5 months ago · 16 reports on file

1915 West Pensacola Street
Tallahassee, Florida, 32304
Leon County County

Overall Food Safety Rating

★★★★☆ (4.2/5)
Based on 16 health inspection reports

All Inspection Reports

9/22/2025· 5mo ago

Visit ID: 13513143

Met Inspection Standards
  • N/A:No Violations Were Observed

9/5/2025· 6mo ago

Visit ID: 10914532

Follow-up Inspection Required

1 int, 3 basic

  • 36-34-5:Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Kitchen ceiling vents/tiles with grease and dust build up on them on cooks line.
  • 35B-01-4:Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Door leading to outside in kitchen has a gap at threshold. Repeat Violation
  • 33-38-4:Basic - No waste receptacle installed at handwash sink provided with disposable towels. No trash can by hand sink next to dry storage area.
  • 27-19-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink does not have enough water pressure to properly wash hands. Handwashing sinks in ladies bathroom and kitchen by cooks line not enough water pressure to wash hands. Warning

4/15/2025· 11mo ago

Visit ID: 10743011

Follow-up Inspection Required

1 int, 4 basic

  • 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

1/10/2025· 1y 2mo ago

Visit ID: 10751353

Met Inspection Standards
  • N/A:No Violations Were Observed

12/30/2024· 1y 2mo ago

Visit ID: 10745221

Follow-up Inspection Required

1 int

  • 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**

12/17/2024· 1y 2mo ago

Visit ID: 10743990

Follow-up Inspection Required

1 int

  • 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**

12/16/2024· 1y 2mo ago

Visit ID: 10742865

Follow-up Inspection Required

1 int

  • 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**

12/13/2024· 1y 2mo ago

Visit ID: 10718970

Follow-up Inspection Required

1 int

  • 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

12/13/2024· 1y 2mo ago

Visit ID: 8735794

Follow-up Inspection Required

4 high, 2 int, 10 basic

  • 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

11/13/2024· 1y 3mo ago

Visit ID: 8887851

Follow-up Inspection Required

1 int

  • 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**

9/12/2024· 1y 6mo ago

Visit ID: 8821681

Follow-up Inspection Required

1 int

  • 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**

7/3/2024· 1y 8mo ago

Visit ID: 8650692

Follow-up Inspection Required

1 int

  • 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**

4/10/2024· 1y 11mo ago

Visit ID: 8606710

Follow-up Inspection Required

1 int, 2 basic

  • 14-01-5:Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed small cup with no handle inside salt container.
  • 35B-01-4:Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed gap beneath back door.
  • 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. Warning

2/6/2024· 2y 1mo ago

Visit ID: 8356269

Met Inspection Standards

3 int, 2 basic

  • 22-20-5:Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
  • 10-20-4:Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment oven door handle between uses. Cook remove tongs and stored correctly. 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.
  • 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade.
  • 31B-02-4:Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink, cook line.

12/18/2023· 2y 2mo ago

Visit ID: 8523254

Met Inspection Standards
  • N/A:No Violations Were Observed

10/11/2023· 2y 5mo ago

Visit ID: 8255806

Follow-up Inspection Required

1 int

  • 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. Employee working over 60 days with no proof of employee training. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-11: No employee training provided. Two employees stated they had been working over 60 days *Time Extended** **Time Extended**