TROPICAL RESTAURANT
652 E 9 ST · HIALEAH · Dade County · FL 33010
Inspection Summary
Violation Summary
Counts reported for this inspection visit.
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All DBPR Inspector Observations
40 full violation description(s) documented by the inspector during this visit.
High Priority 10
50-08-7High Priority – 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. **Warning**
35A-02-8High Priority – 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. **Warning**
08A-05-6High Priority – Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw pork and raw beef stored over cooked pork on shelf inside walk in cooler in front of three compartment sink at kitchen area. Also observed raw shell eggs stored over cooked beef on shelf inside walk in cooler in front of three compartment sink at kitchen area. **Warning**
08A-20-5High Priority – Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw beef stored over raw pork on shelf inside walk in cooler in front of three compartment sink at kitchen area. **Warning**
02C-01-5High Priority – Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Observed no date marked on milk inside reach in cooler next to ice machine at front counter. **Warning**
35A-05-4High Priority – 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. **Warning**
01B-13-4High Priority – 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. **Warning**
03A-02-5High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Sliced ham (52F – Cold Holding); Sliced pork (52F – Cold Holding) inside cold holding unit at front counter next to sandwich station. As per operator for less than 1 hour. **Warning**
03B-01-6High Priority – 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. **Warning**
29-42-4High Priority – Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Observed at kitchen area. **Warning**
Intermediate 6
22-02-4Intermediate – 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. **Warning**
31A-11-4Intermediate – Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed food debris inside hand wash sink at kitchen area. **Warning**
16-37-1Intermediate – 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. **Warning**
31B-02-4Intermediate – No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed in front of pork belly hot holding unit at front counter. **Warning**
51-16-7Intermediate – 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. **Warning**
41-17-4Intermediate – Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle not identified in shelf located next to walk in cooler at back kitchen area. **Warning**
Basic 24
22-20-5Basic – Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed ice machine interior soiled at front counter. **Warning**
36-06-4Basic – Cardboard used on floor as anti-slip measure not replaced every day or when heavily soiled, whichever comes first. Observed in the floor next to fryer at kitchen area. **Warning**
36-34-5Basic – Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. 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. **Warning**
24-14-4Basic – 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. **Warning**
14-09-4Basic – Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed several grooved cutting boards on top of preparation tables all around kitchen area. **Warning**
35A-03-4Basic – 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. **Warning**
13-03-4Basic – 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. **Warning**
08B-38-4Basic – 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. **Warning**
36-68-5Basic – Hood ventilation system inadequate as evidenced by grease accumulation on walls/ceiling. Observed accumulation of grease when the walls all around kitchen area. **Warning**
14-69-4Basic – Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed inside reach in cooler at break room. **Warning**
10-12-5Basic – 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. **Warning**
10-01-5Basic – In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed sugar scoop handle touching sugar inside container at back storage shelf in front of walk in cooler at kitchen area. **Warning**
22-08-4Basic – 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. **Warning**
05-09-4Basic – No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed no ambient thermometer inside walk in coolers at kitchen area. **Warning**
14-73-4Basic – No container installed for catching grease from hood drip tray. Observed no drip tray on hood systems all around kitchen area. **Warning**
23-03-4Basic – 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. **Warning**
35B-07-4Basic – 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. **Warning**
25-32-4Basic – Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Observed several reuse single service under preparation table next to three compartment sink at kitchen area. **Warning**
24-18-4Basic – Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. Observed clean utensils stored upright inside container next to grill in front of dishwasher machine at kitchen area. **Warning**
36-02-5Basic – Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed all around kitchen area. **Warning**
14-17-4Basic – Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed walk in coolers shelves with accumulation of rust at kitchen area. **Warning**
36-27-5Basic – Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed grease accumulation on the walls all around kitchen area. **Warning**
21-12-4Basic – 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. **Warning**
02D-01-5Basic – 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. **Warning**
Inspector observations synchronized from DBPR on August 10, 2026 12:14 AM.
Violation category totals
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
3 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
4 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
3 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
4 observation(s)
5 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
Inspection records and inspector observations reflect conditions documented by DBPR at the time of the inspection and may not reflect current conditions.