EL TROPICO REST

Name: EL TROPICO REST
Address: 7902 NW 36 ST, MIAMI, FL, 331666637, US
Rating: 14

7902 NW 36 ST, MIAMI, FL 331666637

License #2323291

🌮 Mexican/Latin ℹ️

14 Grade F / 100

Failing Health Score

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Latest inspection

September 17, 2026 · 14 findings · 1 critical

Routine - Food

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Minor

Usually lower-risk context.

Quick take

EL TROPICO REST in MIAMI currently holds an InspectFL Health Score of 14 out of 100 — an F grade — a serious pattern of repeat or critical violations. This restaurant has been inspected 8 times from Florida DBPR, with the most recent inspection on September 17, 2026. Across those visits, inspectors documented 112 total violations — 8 critical, 23 major, 81 minor.

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Record snapshot

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Inspections on file

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The latest inspection on September 17, 2026 shows 14 observation rows: 1 critical, 4 major, and 9 minor.

Official recordInspection data quality

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Official source: DBPR

Inspection coverage

100%

Inspector notes

112

Coverage note

Inspector notes linked where available

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DBPR

Community reaction

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EL TROPICO REST has a rough inspection history. Would you risk it?

F record

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*Scores are calculated by InspectFL based on public DBPR inspection data and are not official state ratings.

Inspection timeline

Inspection History

Read the newest inspection first, then scan for patterns. Repeated high-priority findings matter more than one isolated bad day.

Critical Major Minor

Inspector notes are being added across all restaurants. Some inspections may only show violation codes until notes are available.

Official DBPR inspection report ↗

Disposition: Warning Issued
[21-12-4] Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
[31B-03-4] No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at handsink throughout establishment.
[23-03-4] Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed fan cover at walk in cooler soiled. Observed reach in cooler gaskets soiled throughout kitchen
[36-34-5] Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling vents and ceiling tiles soiled throughout establishment.
[29-11-4] Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed from handsink located next to walk in cooler.
[53A-03-7] Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Observed food manager certificate for Melvin Torrez .expired on 7-30-2026.
[53B-01-5] No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
[02C-02-5] Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked potatoes and pork at walk in cooler held more than 24 hours not properly date marked.
[12A-07-5] Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee placed gloves without washing hands first, instructed employee on proper method.
[14-09-4] Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
[14-33-4] Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
[14-17-4] Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
[23-24-4] Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles.
[22-16-4] Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed interior of reach in cooler soiled.

Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
[14-33-4] Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed reach in cooler by employee restroom entrance.
[32-04-4] Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Observed at employee restroom in kitchen.
[08B-38-4] Food stored on floor. Observed milk plastic containers stored on Walk in cooler floor.
[14-69-4] Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed inside reach in freezer by ice machine.
[10-20-4] In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tong stored on gas pipe in kitchen. Operator removed tong from pipe.
[21-12-4] Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet towels throughout kitchen.
[02D-01-5] Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed salt container unlabeled in kitchen. Operator labeled container.
[01B-01-4] Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed chiles halapenos and sliced mushrooms dented cans inside dry storage.
[08A-05-6] Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef by pastas inside Walk in cooler. Also, observed raw beef over beer inside Walk in cooler.
[03A-03-5] Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Observed more than a dozen eggs stored outside in kitchen. Operator put eggs inside reach in cooler.
[02C-02-5] Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed pastas not date marked inside Walk in cooler. As per Operator pastas were cooked last Sunday February 15th, 2026.
[27-16-4] Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed inside kitchen. Operator turned on hot water.

Disposition: Warning Issued
[32-04-4] Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Observed at employee restroom inside kitchen.
[14-09-4] Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed white cutting board on prep table in kitchen.
[36-73-4] Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed grease accumulated under cook line. Also, observed soiled floor inside coffee machine area.
[36-17-5] Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed broken tiles inside kitchen.
[14-69-4] Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed inside Walk in freezer. Also, observed inside ice creams reach in freezer.
[10-08-5] Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed at front counter. Operator stored scoop correctly.
[31B-04-4] No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed inside womens restroom.
[23-03-4] Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled reach in cooler gaskets in shake prep area.
[14-33-4] Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed reach in cooler by ware washing area.
[32-17-4] Self-closing device on bathroom door disconnected/broken. Observed at employee restroom inside kitchen.
[08B-12-5] Stored food not covered. Observed chicken container uncovered inside Walk in cooler. Operator covered container.
[22-16-4] Walk-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues.
[02D-01-5] Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed oil bottle and salt container unlabeled in kitchen. Operator labeled bottle and container.
[08A-20-5] Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over raw fish inside Walk in cooler. Operator stored food properly.
[11-27-4] Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment.
[22-02-4] Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled bread toasters at front counter. Also, observed Soda nozzle in Bar.
[11-26-1] No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.
[02C-02-5] Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked pork not date marked inside reach in cooler in front of griddle in kitchen. As per Operator food was cooked last Monday January 13th, 2025. Operator date marked food.
[53B-05-5] Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
[41-17-4] Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle with sanitizer unlabeled in Bar. Operator labeled bottle.

Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
[22-20-5] Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
[32-04-4] Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Observed employee restroom inside kitchen.
[36-32-5] Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed water damage on ceiling tile in front of Walk in cooler.
[13-03-4] Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employees engaged with food preparation without hair restraint in kitchen and front counter.
[36-73-4] Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed grease under cook line.
[36-11-4] Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Observed missing grout throughout kitchen.
[14-69-4] Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
[22-08-4] Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed soiled oven interior by stove inside kitchen.
[31B-04-4] No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed at hand wash sinks in front of beverage cooler at front counter, and inside front window room.
[23-03-4] Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled reach in cooler gaskets in front of cook line.
[14-33-4] Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed reach in cooler by slicer in kitchen.
[08B-12-5] Stored food not covered. Observed ground beef and black beans containers uncovered inside Walk in cooler. Operator covered containers.
[25-27-4] Straws provided for customer self-service not individually wrapped or in an approved dispenser. Observed on Bar counter.
[22-16-4] Walk-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues.
[21-09-4] Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. Observed by griddle. Operator discarded towel.
[02D-01-5] Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed oil bottle unlabeled in kitchen. Operator labeled bottle.
[12A-27-4] Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Observed employee cracking eggs and touching clean containers without changing gloves and washing hands.
[08A-05-6] Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef over beer bottles inside Walk in cooler.
[22-02-4] Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled soda nozzles in Bar.
[53A-05-6] No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/
[41-17-4] Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle with sanitizer unlabeled inside Bar.

Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
[32-04-4] Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Observed at employee restroom inside kitchen.
[51-11-4] Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed VO2 tanks not secured inside Bar.
[24-05-4] Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed clean dishes not inverted inside kitchen.
[13-03-4] Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee engaged with food preparation without hair restraint inside kitchen. Operator put a hair restraint.
[36-17-5] Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed broken floor tiles under cook line inside kitchen.
[14-69-4] Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed Ice buildup in Walk-in.
[31B-04-4] No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed by beverage reach in cooler at front counter, and inside room outside.
[22-16-4] Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed Walk in cooler shelves with accumulation of soil residues.
[14-33-4] Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed inside reach in cooler by ware washing area.
[08B-12-5] Stored food not covered. Observed cooked pork inside reach in cooler in front of cook line. Operator covered plate.
[21-12-4] Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet towels throughout kitchen. Operator stored towels inside bucket with sanitizer.
[21-09-4] Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. Observed soiled towels inside kitchen. Operator discarded towels.
[03A-03-5] Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Observed more than a dozen raw eggs stored on reach in cooler in kitchen. As per Operator eggs have been outside for 30 minutes. Operator stored them inside reach in cooler.
[12A-03-4] Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed employee washing hand at three compartment sink.
[22-02-4] Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled cutting board on prep table in front of Walk in cooler.
[53A-05-6] No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/. Food Manager Certified arrived at time of Routine Inspection.
[02C-02-5] Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked ground beef not date marked inside Walk in cooler. As per Operator ground beef was cooked last Monday October 23rd, 2023. Operator date marked container.
[45-02-4] Portable fire extinguisher gauge in red zone. For reporting purposes only. Observed extinguisher in recharge zone located by Kitchen main entrance.