LA PALAPA RESTAURANT SEAFOOD & GRILL
3820 NW 36 ST · MIAMI · Dade County · FL 33142
Inspection Summary
Emergency Closure Summary
Violation Summary
Counts reported for this inspection visit.
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All DBPR Inspector Observations
29 full violation description(s) documented by the inspector during this visit.
High Priority 8
22-49-4High Priority – Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed Dishwasher's (Chlorine 0ppm). **Warning**
35A-02-6High Priority – Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed approximately 7 flies in the kitchen by the prep area. Observed 1 live fly landing on the dough in the prep area. **Warning**
35A-09-4High Priority – Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. Observed approximately 15+ centipedes dead throughout the storage area on the 2nd floor. Observed rodent **Warning**
35A-04-4High Priority – Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 20+ rodent droppings on the 2 floor storage room behind the single service items, 15+ rodent droppings behind the AC unit on the 2nd floor. **Warning**
35A-18-4High Priority – Rodent rub marks present along walls/ceilings. Observed rodent rub marks on the floor under the single service items on the 2nd floor. **Warning**
12A-09-4High Priority – Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed employee moving the trash can to another location in the kitchen and about to start food preparation, educated employee how and when to wash their hands properly. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
01B-13-4High Priority – Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed 1 live fly landing on the dough in the prep area. **Warning**
41-15-5High Priority – Wiping cloth solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed stored in a location that could result in the cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Observed Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 200+ppm) stored in the kitchen. Operator discarded solution. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
Intermediate 4
31A-11-4Intermediate – Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed food debris inside the hand washing sink in the kitchen. **Warning**
53A-01-7Intermediate – Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Observed Caesar Lopez with no manager certificate. **Warning**
53A-05-6Intermediate – 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/ At the time of the inspection observed 4 employees with no manager on duty. **Warning**
53B-02-5Intermediate – No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed employees with no employee training named Litica Mena and Juana Mena hired 18 years ago. **Warning**
Basic 17
23-24-4Basic – Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed 2 door reach in cooler door handle with food debris. **Warning**
50-09-4Basic – Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Warning**
35A-03-4Basic – Dead roaches on premises. Observed approximately 6 dead roaches on the 2nd floor storage room. Observed 2 dead roaches in the kitchen behind the stairwell where containers of salt, rice and beans are stored. **Warning**
14-11-5Basic – Equipment in poor repair. Observed gaskets torn in both reach in coolers in the kitchen. **Warning**
36-17-5Basic – Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. In the walk in cooler and walk in freezer. **Warning**
14-38-4Basic – Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed flour containers with cracked lids. **Warning**
08B-38-4Basic – Food stored on floor. Observed cut plantains stored on the floor in the kitchen. **Warning**
36-24-5Basic – Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed multiple holes in the wall at the 2nd floor storage room. **Warning**
10-17-4Basic – In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed 4 knifes between wall and 3 compartment sink. **Warning**
10-20-4Basic – In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
23-03-4Basic – Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood with accumulation of grease. **Warning**
14-33-4Basic – Observed reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Warning**
35B-09-4Basic – Screen in door torn/in poor repair – vermin present. Observed no screen at the bar gates by the door on the outside exterior patio. **Warning**
29-20-5Basic – Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink, three-compartment sink, or mop sink. Observed hand washing sink in the kitchen with slow drainage. **Warning**
14-17-4Basic – Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Warning**
36-27-5Basic – Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed 2nd floor walls soiled. **Warning**
36-10-4Basic – Worn, torn and/or soiled floors/carpeting. Observed 2nd floor storage room heavily soiled. **Warning**
Inspector observations synchronized from DBPR on August 10, 2026 2:57 AM.
Violation category totals
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
4 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
6 observation(s)
4 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
3 observation(s)
Inspection records and inspector observations reflect conditions documented by DBPR at the time of the inspection and may not reflect current conditions.