LAS CARRETAS MEXICAN RESTAURANT
3501 Southwest 2nd Avenue
Gainesville, Florida, 32607
Alachua County County
Overall Food Safety Rating
★½☆☆☆ (1.9/5)
Based on 7 health inspection reports
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Nearby Locations
All Inspection Reports
Inspection on 5/14/2025
High Priority
1
Intermediate
1
Basic
0
Total
2
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 08B-01-4:High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Self-service salad bar/buffet lacking adequate sneezeguards or other proper protection from contamination. Self-service Salsa bar lacking sneezeguards by dining area - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-14: **Time Extended**
- 51-16-7:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Facility expanded dining area, added 2 bathrooms and removed hand wash sink at cook line next to ovens Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-14: **Time Extended**
Food safety inspection conducted on 5/14/2025 revealed 2 total violations (1 high priority, 1 intermediate, 0 basic).
Inspection on 3/13/2025
High Priority
2
Intermediate
3
Basic
5
Total
10
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 14-01-5:Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Soufflé cups used to scoop at cook line Corrected On-Site
- 36-36-4:Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Above prep station next to ice machine and server station
- 10-17-4:Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. At cook line. Operator removed Corrected On-Site
- 08B-12-5:Basic - Stored food not covered. Multiple containers at reach in freezer Corrected On-Site
- 02D-01-5:Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Rice, beans and flour containers next to walk in cooler Corrected On-Site
- 41-07-4:High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Eye drops in reach in cooler. Operator removed Corrected On-Site
- 08B-01-4:High Priority - Self-service salad bar/buffet lacking adequate sneezeguards or other proper protection from contamination. Self-service Salsa bar lacking sneezeguards by dining area
- 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled with food debris Corrected On-Site
- 51-16-7:Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Facility expanded dining area, added 2 bathrooms and removed hand wash sink at cook line next to ovens Warning
- 41-17-4:Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Chlorine spray bottle with no label by dish area Corrected On-Site
Food safety inspection conducted on 3/13/2025 revealed 10 total violations (2 high priority, 3 intermediate, 5 basic).
Inspection on 11/7/2024
High Priority
3
Intermediate
1
Basic
4
Total
8
Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
Inspection Details:
- 14-09-4:Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. In cook line
- 36-17-5:Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Entrance of walk in freezer
- 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soiled gaskets in cook line reach in cooler
- 29-49-6:Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. In server reach in cooler and cook line reach in cooler
- 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. Shredded chicken and braised pork Per operator cooling over night 48-50F in walk in cooler
- 08A-02-6:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw octopus over ice cream in reach in freezer Corrected On-Site
- 01B-02-5:High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Shredded chicken and braised pork Per operator cooling over night 48-50F in walk in cooler
- 31A-09-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Knife inside handwash sink in server station Corrected On-Site
Food safety inspection conducted on 11/7/2024 revealed 8 total violations (3 high priority, 1 intermediate, 4 basic).
Inspection on 5/3/2024
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 5/3/2024 revealed 1 total violations (0 high priority, 0 intermediate, 0 basic).
Inspection on 5/1/2024
High Priority
2
Intermediate
4
Basic
9
Total
15
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 16-21-4:Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. Corrected On-Site Warning
- 14-74-7:Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Walk in cooler with ambient temperature of 48F ** reach in cooler with ambient temperature of 51FWarning** Warning
- 06-09-1:Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Salmon and mahi kept in cook line Corrected On-Site Warning
- 50-09-4:Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Warning
- 35B-01-4:Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Gap on door by ice machine Operator placed towels under door **Corrective Action Taken** Warning
- 08B-38-4:Basic - Food stored on floor. Ground beef cooling in walk in freezer floor, box of beef in walk in cooler floor , horchata in walk in cooler floor. Corrected On-Site Warning
- 14-69-4:Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Warning
- 12B-13-4:Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Employee drinks stored over reach in cooler in servers area. Corrected On-Site Warning
- 22-16-4:Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Walk in cooler shelves have debris Warning
- 01B-02-5:High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. T bone steak, sirloin, raw chicken, steak pieces kept in tall two door reach in cooler with glass doors in cook line . Kept overnight with temperatures of 46 to 56F. Items kept overnight in walk in cooler : Horchata 52F, carnitas 50F, black beans 51F, queso dip 54F, cooked beef 52F, shredded mozzarella 51F, cooked bean dip 53F, salsa 53F Warning
- 03A-02-5:High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Guacamole and pico kept in reach in cooler close to expo line , kept overnight with temperature of with temperatures from 45 to 52F T bone steak, sirloin, raw chicken, steak pieces kept in tall two door reach in cooler with glass doors in cook line . Kept overnight with temperatures of 46 to 56F. Items kept overnight in walk in cooler : Horchata 52F, carnitas 50F, black beans 51F, queso dip 54F, cooked beef 52F, shredded mozzarella 51F, cooked bean dip 53F, salsa 53F 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. Provided operator with plan **Corrective Action Taken** Warning
- 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/ Corrected On-Site Warning
- 31B-02-4:Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels on hand sink located at bar . Corrected On-Site Warning
- 53B-13-5:Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Warning
Food safety inspection conducted on 5/1/2024 revealed 15 total violations (2 high priority, 4 intermediate, 9 basic).
Inspection on 2/6/2024
High Priority
2
Intermediate
1
Basic
6
Total
10
Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
Inspection Details:
- 14-11-5:Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Fry baskets damaged
- 14-69-4:Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. In the freezer
- 10-12-5:Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Stored in the hand sink
- 10-17-4:Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. At the small make cooler
- 08B-17-4:Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed avacodos in the make cooler
- 29-11-4:Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. At the 3 compartment sink
- 08A-20-5:High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. In the grill drawers raw chicken over raw beef , OPERATOR corrected Corrected On-Site
- 29-34-4:High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. At the mop sink
- 31A-09-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Scoop stored in the hand sink in the kitchen close to the ice bin
- 46-01-4:Marked exit/path to marked exit blocked. For reporting purposes only. Exit door in the kitchen blocked with cooked chips
Food safety inspection conducted on 2/6/2024 revealed 10 total violations (2 high priority, 1 intermediate, 6 basic).
Inspection on 8/31/2023
High Priority
1
Intermediate
1
Basic
9
Total
11
Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
Inspection Details:
- 14-09-4:Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting boards throughout facility
- 14-11-5:Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Left side door of reach in cooler that salads are made next to hot well, does not close properly
- 35B-01-4:Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Exit door leading outside by employee bathroom
- 08B-37-4:Basic - Food stored in a prohibited area. Cases of alcohol and mixers stored in employee bathroom.
- 08B-52-4:Basic - Food stored under dripping water line. Container of peeled onions with lid stored under dripping pipe at walk in cooler Corrected On-Site
- 14-69-4:Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice build up on insulated pipe at walk in freezer
- 08B-17-4:Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed zucchini stored over marinated pork and milk at walk in cooler Corrected On-Site
- 29-11-4:Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Water dripping from ceiling at walk in cooler
- 21-38-4:Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. At wait station Corrected On-Site
- 08A-05-6:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw octopus and raw Mahi stored over ready to eat at reach in cooler across from fryerCorrected On-Site Corrected On-Site
- 31A-09-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand washing sink at dish wash area blocked by bags hanging on storage rack Corrected On-Site
Food safety inspection conducted on 8/31/2023 revealed 11 total violations (1 high priority, 1 intermediate, 9 basic).