TACO JOINT INC.

High Priority - Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. Ceviche being sold with talapia fish, establishment unable to provide parasite destruction letter. Warning

High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired on 12/01/2023. Licensed paid during inspection, confirmation # 236054912 Corrected On-Site Warning

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Low boy cooler in cook line , cooked chicken 45F cold holding, held less than 4 hours. Operator moved to reach in freezer to quick chill. Foods not prepared or portioned today. Corrective Action Taken Warning

Intermediate - Cutting board soiled in kitchen, operator moved to be washed , rinsed and sanitized. Corrective Action Taken Warning

Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Centaur reach in cooler ; At 11:25am, Cooked lobster (55F - ambient Cooling), raw chicken 55F ambient cooling, raw beef 50F ambient cooling since 10am to 55F, 54F and 50F respectively at 12pm, foods prepped less than 4 hours ago per operator, observed foods cooling covered. Operator uncovered during inspection Corrective Action Taken Warning

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Water dispenser above hand washing sink in kitchen making it difficult to wash hands properly. Warning

Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees( two new hires) are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Warning

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

Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance (windex)not labeled in chemical station. Operator labeled windex Corrected On-Site Warning

Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Warning

Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense salt in dry storage area. Operator removed Corrected On-Site Warning

Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Container of oil in kitchen. Operator elevated Corrected On-Site Warning

Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees in restroom. Warning

Basic - Single-service articles ( cups)improperly stored on floor in dry storage area. Warning

Basic - Working containers of food ( oil) removed from original container not identified by common name. Operator labeled bottle oil in cook line. Corrected On-Site Warning

High Priority - Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee wiped face with paper towel and began to go back to food service without washing hands and changing gloves. Stopped employee and reviewed proper procedures; employee washed hands and put on new gloves. Corrected On-Site Warning

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Cases of churros TRUE reach in freezer intermingled with packaged raw pork and tubes of raw ground beef. Repeat Violation Warning

High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. 1) In CONTINENTAL reach in cooler - raw steak (54F - Cold Holding); cooked pork carnitas (56F - Cold Holding); cooked wings (56F - Cold Holding); house pico de gallo (54F - Cold Holding); house kimchi (55F - Cold Holding); cooked black beans (61F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (60F - Cold Holding). Per date labels and employee all items in cooler more than 1 day. 2) in 2 DOOR LOWBOY - cooked chicken (53F - Cold Holding); house queso dip (54F - Cold Holding). Per date marks items prepared more than 1 day. See stop sale. 3) in FLIPTOP UPPER - shredded cheese (57F - Cold Holding); sour cream (56F - Cold Holding); pico de gallo (56F - Cold Holding) LOWER - cooked wings (56F - Cold Holding); shredded cabbage (45F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese (47F - Cold Holding). Items above filled from below and from reach in cooler also out of temperature. Repeat Violation Warning

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. 1) In CONTINENTAL reach in cooler - raw steak (54F - Cold Holding); cooked pork carnitas (56F - Cold Holding); cooked wings (56F - Cold Holding); house pico de gallo (54F - Cold Holding); house kimchi (55F - Cold Holding); cooked black beans (61F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (60F - Cold Holding). Per date labels and employee all items in cooler more than 1 day. See stop sale. 2) in 2 DOOR LOWBOY - cooked chicken (53F - Cold Holding); house queso dip (54F - Cold Holding). Per date marks items prepared more than 1 day. See stop sale. 3) in FLIPTOP UPPER - shredded cheese (57F - Cold Holding); sour cream (56F - Cold Holding); pico de gallo (56F - Cold Holding) LOWER - cooked wings (56F - Cold Holding); shredded cabbage (45F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese (47F - Cold Holding). Items above filled from below and from reach in cooler also out of temperature. See stop sale. DO NOT USE COOLERS FOR TIME AS CRITICAL FOR SAFETY FOODS until temperature can be maintained at 41F or colder. Repeat Violation Warning

Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Ceviche item on menu not marked to correspond to consumer advisory. Warning

Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unknown substance in bottles by front door and under 3 compartment sink. Employee labeled bottles. Corrected On-Site Warning

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Small ice machine at front bar area has mold like build up. Repeat Violation Warning

Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Paper cups in containers of salt, sugar, and corn starch. Employee removed cups. Corrected On-Site Warning

Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. Warning

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken, salmon, tilapia, shrimp stored in seafood cooler above cut lettuce in drawer. Operator removed lettuce and stored in cook line make table with other ready to eat foods. Observed raw shrimp above pico d Gallo in rear double door prep cooler. Operator removed shrimp and stored below ready to eat foods. Corrected On-Site Warning

High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to adulteration of food product. Observed unopened water bottle stored in ice machine with ice used for drinks. Stop sold 1 pound of ice that was in contact with container. Warning

High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed shelves - kimchi (Pickled Cabbage Homemade) (77°F - Cold Holding); per operator item was made and stored in container as of 3 days ago and left on shelf at room temperature without being moved. See Stop Sale. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cojita cheese (71°F - Cold Holding); Mayo with water and chili powder (71 - Cold Holding), per PIC identification on time, no time mark and no written procedure. Per statement items were removed from refrigerator approximately 30 minutes prior to observation. Operator removed and stored in cooler to cool. Observed shelves - kimchi (Pickled Cabbage Homemade) (77°F - Cold Holding); per operator item was made and stored in container as of 3 days ago and left on shelf at room temperature without being moved. See Stop Sale. Corrective Action Taken Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed stove - steak (114°F - Hot Holding), per operator item was cooked 1 hour prior to observation and held on stove. Operator removed and reheated to 173°F. Corrective Action Taken Warning

High Priority - Unopened water bottle stored in ice used for drinks. See stop sale. Observed unopened water bottle stored in ice machine with ice used for drinks. Stop sold 1 pound of ice that was in contact with container. Corrective Action Taken Warning

Intermediate - A) Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand wash sink on bar area used to dispose of ice and fruits and other drinks. PIC cleared sink of debris. B) Observed drain line front AC unit draining into hand washing sink in kitchen area. Corrective Action Taken Warning

Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting board stained heavily with food debris. Warning

Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Observed paper towel dispenser in kitchen area unable to dispense paper towels. Operator provided paper towels. Corrective Action Taken Warning

Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed employee training provided by S.E.R.V.E. Program. Observed 3 expired as of August 31, 2021 (R. Salibi), October 2, 2021 (Z. Cruz), October 9, 2021 (L. Agudelo). Warning

Intermediate - Wild bird present inside establishment. Observed live bird walking into kitchen area of establishment from open front door of establishment. Operator removed animal and sanitized areas. Corrective Action Taken Warning

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed ice machine on bar area empty with mold like growth in unit. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling throughout dining area and kitchen area with accumulated dust and mold like substance. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting board at front counter excessively grooved through out cutting board. Warning

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink stored in container of chips in kitchen area. PiC removed water bottle at time of inspection. Corrected On-Site Warning

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed glass door cooler, lowboy and make table with torn gaskets at front bar area. Repeat Violation Admin Complaint

Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed hand wash sink leaking from drain pipe in kitchen area. Warning

High Priority - 1.) Time/temperature control for safety food removed from cold holding for necessary preparation rose above 41 degrees Fahrenheit during the preparation process and was not cooled back down to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 4 hours. Observed chicken wings (45-46°F - Cooling) at 3:34pm. Per operator, made yesterday. Advised operator to cook off raw animal proteins. 2.) Observed salsa (73°F - Cooling) at 3:23pm. Per operator, now Retest at 3:49pm at 71°F. Observed pans filled high and sitting at room temperature. Operator transferred to cooler to rapid chill. Corrective action taken.

High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 2 flies in unisex bathroom flying around landing on mirrors. Advised operator to kill and sanitize area. Operator attempted to kill flies and sanitized area. Admin Complaint

High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 40 rodent droppings in unisex bathroom in hallway next to dry storage area. Observed on floor next to wall crevices, around toilet base and approximately 5 on walls. Operator went to discard and sanitize restroom. Corrected On-Site Admin Complaint

High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed pickled cabbage (78-79°F - Cold Holding) at 4:30pm. Per operator, held out in room temperature overnight.

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed pickled cabbage (78-79°F - Cold Holding) at 4:30pm. Per operator, held out in room temperature overnight. See Stop Sale. 2.) Observed Raw shrimp, raw fish, cooked lobster items Cold Holding at 3:33pm at 51-52°F. Per operator, 2 hrs. Operator transferred items to chest freezer to rapid chill. Observed ambient temperature of unit at 50°F. Advised operator to not store any TCS foods in unit until it can maintain at 41°F and below. Corrective action taken.

Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no quaternary test kit available for triple sink.

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed at hand sink near dish area. Operator replenished paper towels. Corrected On-Site

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed at bar area.

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed in rear storage area, kitchen hallway and unisex bathroom. Operator stated work order in for cleaning. Corrective Action Taken

Basic - Gaskets torn/ in disrepair. Observed at 2 door refrigerator next to chest freezer in rear kitchen area.

Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed at bar reach in cooler, where bottled beverages and bar mixers stored. Observed juice spillage on lower shelf.