Mercedes Cafecitos

3595 NW 54 St, Miami, FL 33142 · Permanent Food Service · License 2312247

C
Grade C
Safety score 75 of 100
Latest visit: Oct 5, 2026 (5 weeks ago)

What drove the grade

Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.High priority · fixed on the spot · 12 other violations

How the score was calculated

  • Starting score100
  • Violations at the Oct 5 routine inspection
    4 high priority (3 no follow-up needed, 1 fixed on the spot), 1 intermediate, 8 basic (2 repeats)
    -25
  • Safety score75

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

Inspection history

1 inspection · 1 visit

Routine inspection

13 violations found
  1. First visitOct 5, 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.

    13 violations found:

    • 4 High priority
    • 1 Intermediate
    • 8 Basic
    What 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 shell eggs, raw fish and raw beef stored sauces and cut vegetables inside of reach in cooler in kitchen. Employee placed items in correct storage order.

      Fixed on the spot

      Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature.

      Observed raw chicken stored over raw beef in walk in cooler. Employee placed items in correct storage order.

    • Code 29, Plumbing and backflow prevention: Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb.

      Observed hose bibb above prep table at entrance of kitchen missing backflow preventer.

    • 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: Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing.

      Observed plantains thawing inside of hand wash sink in kitchen.

    Basic8

    • Code 06, Food properly thawed: Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner.

      Observed bag of plantains thawing inside ambient temperature inside of hand wash kitchen.

    • Code 14, Food-contact surfaces designed and maintained: Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.

      Observed white cutting board in kitchen with deep cuts.

      Repeat violation

    • Code 35, Insects, rodents, pests and animals: Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.

    • Code 36, Floors, walls, ceilings and ventilation: Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust.

      Observed wall behind cook line and 3 compartment sink soiled.

      Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair.

      Observed ceiling above instruments at bar are damaged.

      Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance.

      Observed ceiling vents around establishment soiled with black mold-like substance and dust debris.

      Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris.

      Observed floor inside of walk in cooler soiled.

      Repeat violation

    • Code 42, Premises and cleaning equipment: Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.

    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.
Vacuum breaker, backflow
Plumbing parts that keep dirty water, such as from a mop sink hose, from flowing back into the clean water supply.
Ambient temperature
The air temperature inside a cooler or holding unit, rather than the food’s own.

Most cited

Floors, walls, ceilings and ventilation4
Food protection and cross-contamination2
Food properly thawed1
Food-contact surfaces designed and maintained1
Plumbing and backflow prevention1
Handwash sinks and supplies1
Insects, rodents, pests and animals1
Premises and cleaning equipment1