La Esencia Latin Cuisine
6944 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33141 · Permanent Food Service · License 2329040
What drove the grade
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.
How the score was calculated
- Starting score100
- Violations at the Oct 23 routine inspection4 high priority (2 no follow-up needed, 2 fixed on the spot), 1 intermediate (fixed on the spot), 5 basic-19
- Safety score81
Our own summary of the public record, not an official state rating. How grades work · Report an error
Inspection history
1 inspection · 1 visitRoutine inspection
- First visitOct 23, 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.
10 violations found:
Official report, on the Florida DBPR websiteWhat the inspector cited
High priority4
Code 08, Food protection and cross-contamination: Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.
Observed raw beef stored over shedded cheese in glass door reach in cooler. Operator placed items in correct storage order.
Code 12, Handwashing and hygienic practices: Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands.
Observed employee enter shift and put gloves on without washing hands. Employee was guided on proper procedure on hand washing and employee washed hands.
Fixed on the spot
Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands.
Observed employee placehair restraint and proceeded to put gloves on without washing hands prior to putting new gloves on. Employee was trained on proper hand washing procedures and employee washed hands.
Fixed on the spot
Code 50, Current license displayed: Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.
Observed license is expired as of October 1, 2026.
Intermediate1
Code 31, Handwash sinks and supplies: No soap provided at handwash sink.
Observed no soap at hand wash sink in kitchen. Operator provided soap.
Fixed on the spot
Basic5
Code 08, Food protection and cross-contamination: Food stored on floor.
Observed plastic jug of vinegar and bag of white rice stored on floor in storage closet. Operator placed food items on shelf.
Fixed on the spot
Code 13, Clean clothes, hair restraints, jewelry: Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
Observed employee engaged in food preparation with no hair restraint. Employee provided hair restraint.
Code 23, Non-food contact surfaces clean: Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.
Observed hood filters soiled with grease.
Code 36, Floors, walls, ceilings and ventilation: Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust.
Observed wall behind cook line soiled.
Code 50, Current license displayed: Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
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
- 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.