Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant

3501 SW 2 Ave, Gainesville, FL 32607 · Permanent Food Service · License 1103692

Official report

out of 100

Grade F

Safety score 10 of 100

Latest visit: Sep 15, 2026 (8 weeks ago)

What drove the grade

Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.High priority, repeat · 25 other violations

How the score was calculated

Starting score100
Violations at the Jul 16 routine inspection
8 high priority (1 fixed on the spot, 1 repeat), 6 intermediate (1 fixed on the spot, 1 repeat), 12 basic (7 repeats); basic violations cost 12 at most; all violations together cost 70 at most
-70
Administrative complaint on Jul 16, now complaint after follow-up
Counts in full until a follow-up finds the problems fixed
-20
Safety score10

Our own summary of the public record, not an official state rating. How grades work · Report an error

Inspection history

2 inspections · 3 visits

Latest inspection

Jul162026

Routine inspection

26 violations found · Inspector came back once

Follow-up visitSep 15, 2026 Complaint after follow-up
Problems from the first visit still weren't fixed, so the inspector recommended formal action by the state, which can include fines.
1 violation still not corrected:
- 1 Intermediate
What was still cited
Intermediate1
- Code 53, Manager certification and employee training: No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago.
  Operator has ordered books but they have not arrived yet.
Official report, on the Florida DBPR website
First visitJul 16, 2026 Administrative complaint
Serious or repeated problems led the inspector to recommend formal action by the state, which can include fines.
26 violations found:
- 8 High priority
- 6 Intermediate
- 12 Basic
What the inspector cited
High priority8
- Code 01, Approved source; food safe and unadulterated: Food with mold-like growth.
  See stop sale. Blackberries in reach in cooler behind 2nd floor bar.
  Food contaminated by employees/consumers and operator continued to serve food.
  See stop sale. Ice in ice machine contaminated by employees body armor drink.
  Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition.
  Salmon and white fish in original vacuum packing thawed in reach in cooler on cooks line, the package states the item should be removed before thawing.
- Code 03, Food out of temperature: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41°F.
  cut tomatoes (67°F - Cold Holding) item sitting at room temperature on tableside guacamole tray.
- Code 08, Food protection and cross-contamination: Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.
  Raw shrimp above corn and pineapple in reach in cooler under grill on cooks line.
  Repeat violationAdministrative complaint
  Displayed food not properly protected from contamination.
  Tableside guacamole tray has open containers of tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and cut avocados sitting on table stand near salsa bar in hall where customers walk by.
- Code 12, Handwashing and hygienic practices: Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled.
  Employee touched raw beef then immediately touched clean utensil handles. Inspector has employee discard gloves.
- Code 41, Chemicals and toxic substances: Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment.
  Spray can of hot shot on shelf over pecans in under stairs hidden closet, manager moved item.
  Fixed on the spot
Intermediate6
- Code 16, Dishwashing facilities and test kits: No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
  Using chlorine no test strips.
- Code 22, Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized: Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime.
  -Cutting board stored by Three compartment sink stained. -Soda gun nozzle behind 1st floor bar soiled with black substance.
- Code 31, Handwash sinks and supplies: Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing.
  Hose nozzle in Handwash sink outside of corner walk in cooler on cooks line.
  No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.
  At Handwash sink outside of walk in cooler on cooks line, employee placed new paper towels at sink.
  Fixed on the spot
- Code 51, Other sanitary and safe operation: 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/. Wine storage room on original plans has been turned into the tableside guacamole prep room, Handwash sink has been added to room.
  Repeat violationAdministrative complaint
- Code 53, Manager certification and employee training: No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago.
  To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. All employees Florida restaurant and lodging certificates expired 6/2026.
Basic12
- Code 06, Food properly thawed: Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner.
  Salmon and white fish in original vacuum packing thawed in reach in cooler on cooks line, the package states the item should be removed before thawing. See stop sale.
  Repeat violation
- Code 08, Food protection and cross-contamination: Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation.
  Cut avocados with stickers still attached on table side guacamole tray.
  Food stored outside.
  Multiple bins of chips, canned tomatoes, bags of beans, etc outside back door of kitchen.
  Repeat violation
- Code 10, In-use utensils properly stored: In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment.
  Knife between wooden piece and shelf behind 1st floor bar, manager moved knife.
  Fixed on the spotRepeat violation
- Code 12, Handwashing and hygienic practices: Employee beverage container in ice machine/ice bin.
  Body armor drink in ice machine behind 2nd floor bar, see stop sale on ice.
- Code 14, Food-contact surfaces designed and maintained: Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food.
  Cup no handle in seasoning in storage room outside of office.
- Code 23, Non-food contact surfaces clean: Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.
  -Seasoning shelf on cooks line soiled with grease/seasoning. -Wooden piece under liquid butter under grill on cooks line. -Interior walk in cooler door soiled with food debris.
  Repeat violation
- Code 24, Clean equipment storage and air drying: Clean equipment and utensils stored in a room that is not fully enclosed (open to outdoors/screened).
  Large pots stored outside back door in kitchen.
- Code 25, Single-service items: Single-service articles stored outside or in a room/shed that is not fully enclosed (open to outdoors/screened).
  Plastic cups stored on shelf outside back door in kitchen.
  Repeat violation
- Code 28, Sewage and wastewater disposal: Condensation or other drainage not disposed of according to law.
  Air conditioner drip pan dripping onto floor in storage room outside of office.
- Code 29, Plumbing and backflow prevention: Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler.
  In reach in cooler at beginning of cooks line.
  Repeat violation
- Code 36, Floors, walls, ceilings and ventilation: Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance.
  Throughout the cooks line ceiling is soiled with dust/food debris.
  Repeat violation
Official report, on the Florida DBPR website

Earlier inspections 1

Jul162026Follow-up to an earlier complaint inspectionFirst visit not on file · 1 follow-up visit Complaint after follow-up

Follow-up visitJul 16, 2026 Complaint after follow-up
Problems from the first visit still weren't fixed, so the inspector recommended formal action by the state, which can include fines.
1 violation still not corrected:
- 1 Intermediate
What was still cited
Intermediate1
- Code 51, Other sanitary and safe operation: No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress.
  At the first visit
  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/. Wine room indicated on plans now is used for table side guacamole prep no Handwash sink in room.
  Follow-up, Feb 5, 2026More time given
  No change.
  Follow-up, Apr 8, 2026More time given
Official report, on the Florida DBPR website

Reading this report

Priority levels

High priority The problems most likely to make someone sick directly.
Intermediate Could lead to a high-priority problem if not fixed.
Basic Best practices and general upkeep.

Terms in the inspectors’ reports

Time/temperature control for safety food: Food that has to be kept hot, at 135°F or above, or cold, at 41°F or below, to stay safe: meat, seafood, eggs, dairy, cooked rice and beans, cut melons and the like.
Ready-to-eat food: Food eaten without further cooking, such as salads, sandwiches, deli meats and cooked dishes.
Food-contact surface: Anything food touches, such as cutting boards, utensils, counters and the inside of ice machines.
Nonfood-contact surface: Surfaces food doesn’t touch, such as the outsides of equipment, handles and door gaskets.
Stop sale: An order that the food can’t be sold or served.