Restaurante EL Rincon del Sabor

1528-1532 NE 8th St, Homestead, FL 33033 · Permanent Food Service · License 2326141

Official report

out of 100

Grade F

Safety score 55 of 100

Latest visit: Oct 28, 2026 (10 days ago)

What drove the grade

Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41°F.High priority, repeat · fixed on the spot · 16 other violations

How the score was calculated

Starting score100
Violations at the Aug 10 routine inspection
3 high priority (fixed on the spot, 1 repeat), 1 intermediate (fixed on the spot), 13 basic (4 repeats); basic violations cost 12 at most
-25
Complaint after follow-up on Aug 11
Counts in full until a follow-up finds the problems fixed
-20
Safety score55

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

Oct282026

Licensing inspection

9 violations found

First visitOct 28, 2026 No follow-up needed
Met the state's inspection standards; the inspector didn't need to come back. Any violations cited still count toward the grade.
9 violations found:
- 3 High priority
- 2 Intermediate
- 4 Basic
What the inspector cited
High priority3
- Code 03, Food out of temperature: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41°F.
  Observed cheese, chicharron and beans mix (54°F - Cold Holding); chicharron mix (49°F - Cold Holding) across cook line. As per operator for less than 4 hrs. Operator placed on freezer for rapid cooling.
  Fixed on the spot
- Code 08, Food protection and cross-contamination: Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged.
  Observed raw chicken stored over cooked beans inside reach in freezer. Operator removed the chicken.
  Fixed on the spot
  Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.
  Observed raw beef over cheese inside reach in cooler at prep area. Operator properly rearranged.
  Fixed on the spot
Intermediate2
- Code 27, Water source: Water with a temperature of least 85°F not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink.
  Observed hot water shut off on sink at kitchen and men's room. Operator shut on hot water.
  Fixed on the spot
- Code 31, Handwash sinks and supplies: Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing.
  Observed squeeze bottle and sponge inside hand sink at front counter. Operator removed.
  Fixed on the spot
Basic4
- Code 10, In-use utensils properly stored: In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
  Operator removed.
  Fixed on the spot
- Code 14, Food-contact surfaces designed and maintained: Equipment in poor repair.
  Observed stove oven door in poor repair.
- Code 29, Plumbing and backflow prevention: Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle.
  Observed water leaking from triple sink faucet at front counter. Also observed at kitchen.
- Code 36, Floors, walls, ceilings and ventilation: Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair.
  Observed missing floor tiles on hallway to back exit.
Official report, on the Florida DBPR website

Earlier inspections 1

Aug102026F55Routine inspection17 violations, 3 high priority · 1 follow-up visit Complaint after follow-up

Follow-up visitAug 11, 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.
6 violations still not corrected:
- 1 High priority
- 5 Basic
What was still cited
High priority1
- Code 03, Food out of temperature: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41°F.
  Observed pork and cheese mix (52°F - Cold Holding); refried beans and cheese pupusa mix (51°F - Cold Holding), as per employee prepared the day before. Observed raw chicken (30°F - Cold Holding); raw steak (33°F - Cold Holding); queso fresco (43°F - Cold Holding) at reach in cooler by prep area near three compartment sink kitchen.
  Administrative complaint
Basic5
- Code 25, Single-service items: Single-service articles improperly stored.
  More time given
  Single-service articles stored in toilet room/locker room/garbage room/mechanical room.
  More time given
- Code 29, Plumbing and backflow prevention: Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle.
  Still observed
  More time given
- Code 35, Insects, rodents, pests and animals: Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
  Still observed
  More time given
- Code 36, Floors, walls, ceilings and ventilation: Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance.
  Still observed
  More time given
Official report, on the Florida DBPR website
First visitAug 10, 2026 Warning issued
Problems were found that had to be fixed. The inspector will come back to check.
17 violations found:
- 3 High priority
- 1 Intermediate
- 13 Basic
What the inspector cited
High priority3
- Code 03, Food out of temperature: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41°F.
  Observed pork and cheese mix (66°F - Cold Holding); refried beans and cheese pupusa mix (55°F - Cold Holding), as per employee prepared less than 1 hour at prep table. Observed raw chicken (62°F - Cold Holding); raw steak (55°F - Cold Holding); queso fresco (58°F - Cold Holding); cooked yuca (68°F - Cold Holding) at reach in cooler by prep area near three compartment sink kitchen. As per employee prepared today less than 4 hours. Employee stated cooler open too often for preparation. Employee put ice and removed product to other cooler front counter for rapid cooling.
  Fixed on the spotRepeat violation
  Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135°F.
  Observed cooked yuca (98°F - Hot Holding); menudo (85°F - Hot Holding) at cook line, as per employee prepared less than 2 hours. Employee started stove to reheat.
  Fixed on the spot
- Code 41, Chemicals and toxic substances: Wiping cloth sanitizer solution exceeds the maximum concentration allowed.
  Observed spray (Chlorine 300ppm); at front counter, Employee diluted with water. Recheck; spray (Chlorine 100ppm).
  Fixed on the spot
Intermediate1
- Code 41, Chemicals and toxic substances: Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled.
  Observed spray plaster bottle with bleach not labeled at front counter. Employee labeled.
  Fixed on the spot
Basic13
- Code 08, Food protection and cross-contamination: Food stored on floor.
  Observed several bags of cabbage stored on floor by bar. Observed cooking oil stored on floor by dry storage by bathrooms. As per owner received merchandise today.
  Repeat violation
- Code 12, Handwashing and hygienic practices: Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area.
  Observed employee eating at front counter near cakes.
- Code 14, Food-contact surfaces designed and maintained: Equipment in poor repair.
  Observed reach in freezer gaskets torn.
- Code 21, Wiping cloths and linens: Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength.
  Observed Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 0ppm); at front counter three compartment sink, employee prepared new solution, RECHECK; Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 50ppm).
  Fixed on the spot
- Code 22, Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized: Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues.
  Repeat violation
  Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
  By three compartment sink front counter.
- Code 23, Non-food contact surfaces clean: Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.
  Observed reach in cooler gaskets soiled at front counter by three compartment sink.
- Code 25, Single-service items: Single-service articles improperly stored.
  Observed a box of SS cups stored at bathroom floor.
  Single-service articles stored in toilet room/locker room/garbage room/mechanical room.
  Observed a box of SS cups stored at bathroom. Bathroom in disrepair. Bathroom closed for public used as a storage.
- Code 29, Plumbing and backflow prevention: Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle.
  Observed faucet at three compartment front counter sink in disrepair.
  Repeat violation
- Code 35, Insects, rodents, pests and animals: Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
  Observed at both exits back doors by dry storage near bathroom and kitchen exit door.
- Code 36, Floors, walls, ceilings and ventilation: Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance.
  Observed ceiling tiles and vents soiled and dusty throughout all kitchen and prep area.
  Repeat violation
- Code 42, Premises and cleaning equipment: Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
  Observed wet mop stored on mop bucket at dry storage room by bathroom.
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.
Nonfood-contact surface: Surfaces food doesn’t touch, such as the outsides of equipment, handles and door gaskets.