TROPICAL RESTAURANT

Name: TROPICAL RESTAURANT
Address: 652 E 9 ST, HIALEAH, FL, 33010, US
Rating: 33.4

652 E 9 ST, HIALEAH, FL 33010

License #2312196

🌴 Cuban/Caribbean ℹ️ Categories are auto-assigned based on restaurant names and may not be 100% accurate

33.4 Grade F / 100

Failing Health Score

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Latest inspection

August 8, 2026 · 16 findings · 1 critical

Food-Licensing Inspection (follow-up)

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Critical

Highest-priority rows.

Major

Worth checking for repeats.

Minor

Usually lower-risk context.

Quick take

TROPICAL RESTAURANT in HIALEAH currently holds an InspectFL Health Score of 33.4 out of 100 — an F grade — a serious pattern of repeat or critical violations. This restaurant has 2 inspections on record from Florida DBPR, with the most recent inspection on August 8, 2026. Across those visits, DBPR recorded 56 total findings; InspectFL has detailed violation rows for 41 of them so far.

How to read this page

Start with the newest inspection, then verify the pattern

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Record snapshot

What stands out in this inspection history

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Inspections on file

Clean inspections

Callback visits

Latest clean pass

None on file yet

The latest inspection on August 8, 2026 shows 14 observation rows: 1 critical, 2 major, and 11 minor.

Official recordInspection data quality

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Inspection coverage

100%

Inspector notes

Coverage note

Inspector notes linked where available

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DBPR

*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: Call Back - Extension given, pending
[13-03-4] Observed several employees engaged in food preparation with no hair restraint all around kitchen area.
[14-73-4] Observed no drip tray on hood systems all around kitchen area.
[23-03-4] Observed gasket soiled with mold like substance under toaster machines at front counter. Also observed three compartment sink nuzzle hole with accumulation of mold like substance at kitchen area.
[36-06-4] Cardboard used on floor as anti-slip measure not replaced every day or when heavily soiled, whichever comes first. Observed on the floor next to fryer at kitchen area.
[22-20-5] Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed ice machine interior soiled at front counter.
[05-09-4] Observed no ambient thermometer inside walk in coolers at kitchen area.
[36-68-5] Hood ventilation system inadequate as evidenced by grease accumulation on walls/ceiling. Observed accumulation of grease when the walls all around kitchen area.
[16-37-1] No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chlorine test kit available at the time of inspection.
[36-27-5] Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed grease accumulation on the walls all around kitchen area.
[35B-07-4] Openings to the outside for equipment, such as ventilation fans, not screened or otherwise protected when the equipment is not in operation. Observed not screen on fan over the back door next to fryer at back kitchen area.
[50-08-7] Establishment operating without a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator must obtain a public food service license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants within 60 days. Submit a license application and payment to DBPR/Bureau of Central Intake Unit, 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. To apply online or obtain an application for license visit https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/ Observed establishment operating and serving customer without a license.
[36-34-5] Observed ceiling and vents soiled with accumulation of dust and grease all around kitchen area and back storage area. Also observed ceiling soiled with accumulation of grease over grill press at front counter.
[22-08-4] Observed microwave interior soiled over preparation grill at kitchen area. Also observed oven interior soiled next to dishwasher machine at kitchen area.
[51-16-7] No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan- Observed large shipping container stored behind property filled with restaurant equipment.

Official DBPR inspection report ↗

Disposition: Administrative complaint recommended
[05-09-4] No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed no ambient thermometer inside walk in coolers at kitchen area.
[01B-13-4] Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed approximately 1 flying insect landing on sliced ham and slice pork inside reach in cooler next to ice machine at front counter.
[13-03-4] Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed several employees engaged in food preparation with no hair restraint all around kitchen area.
[16-37-1] No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chlorine test kit available at the time of inspection.
[21-12-4] Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet wiping cloth on top of preparation tables all around kitchen area not stored in sanitizing solution.
[24-14-4] Clean utensils stored between equipment and wall. Observed clean spatulas between wall and three compartment sink in front of walk in cooler at kitchen area.
[25-32-4] Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Observed several reuse single service under preparation table next to three compartment sink at kitchen area.
[31B-02-4] No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed in front of pork belly hot holding unit at front counter.
[29-42-4] Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed at kitchen area.
[41-17-4] Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle not identified in shelf located next to walk in cooler at back kitchen area.
[14-09-4] Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed several grooved cutting boards on top of preparation tables all around kitchen area.
[02D-01-5] Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed sugar container not identified under counter next to ice cream unit at front counter.
[36-68-5] Hood ventilation system inadequate as evidenced by grease accumulation on walls/ceiling. Observed accumulation of grease when the walls all around kitchen area.
[36-27-5] Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed grease accumulation on the walls all around kitchen area.
[50-08-7] Establishment operating without a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Operator must obtain a public food service license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants within 60 days. Submit a license application and payment to DBPR/Bureau of Central Intake Unit, 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. To apply online or obtain an application for license visit https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/ Observed establishment operating and serving customer without a license.
[23-03-4] Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gasket soiled with mold like substance under toaster machines at front counter. Also observed three compartment sink nuzzle hole with accumulation of mold like substance at kitchen area.
[35A-02-8] Live, small flying insects found. Observed approximately 1 flying insect landing on sliced ham and slice pork inside reach in cooler next to ice machine at front counter. Also observed approximately 6 flying insects flying in back kitchen above preparation tables and clean equipments. Also observed 1 flying insect landing on clean metal container on shelf in front of big oven at kitchen area.
[22-02-4] Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled can opener on preparation tables next to seafood chest freezer at kitchen area.
[35A-05-4] Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed roach crawling on the floor under hand wash sink next to three compartment sink at kitchen area.
[08B-38-4] Food stored on floor. Observed several food container stored on the floor inside walk in cooler in front of three compartment sink at kitchen area.
[10-12-5] In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Observed ice scoop stored over dirty container next to ice machine located next to break room at kitchen area.
[03B-01-6] Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Pork chops (125F - Hot Holding) inside steam table at front counter. As per operator for less than 2 hours. Also observed Rice (122F - Hot Holding); Chicken stew (114F - Hot Holding) inside hold holding equipment next to oven at back kitchen area. As per operator for less than 2 hours. Also observed Cooked onions (103F - Hot Holding) in shelf over stove in front of dishwasher machine at kitchen area. As per employee for less than 1 hour. Also observed Black beans (87F - Hot Holding); Chicken Soup (91F - Hot Holding) over preparation table in front of big oven at back kitchen area. As per operator for less than 2 hours.
[31A-11-4] Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed food debris inside hand wash sink at kitchen area.
[22-08-4] Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed microwave interior soiled over preparation grill at kitchen area. Also observed oven interior soiled next to dishwasher machine at kitchen area.
[35A-03-4] Dead roaches on premises. Observed 1 dead roach under three compartment sink at kitchen area. Also observed approximately 3 dead roaches on trap under reach in freezer located in front of ice unit at kitchen area. Also observed approximately 1 dead roach under shelf located outside of office at break room area.
[14-17-4] Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed walk in coolers shelves with accumulation of rust at kitchen area.
[51-16-7] No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan- Observed large shipping container stored behind property filled with restaurant equipment.

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