LA NOPALERA MEXICAN RESTAURANT
4530 ST JOHNS AVE, #3 · JACKSONVILLE · Duval County · FL 32210
Inspection Summary
Violation Summary
Counts reported for this inspection visit.
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All DBPR Inspector Observations
24 full violation description(s) documented by the inspector during this visit.
High Priority 4
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 no sanitizer being dispensed during cycle of dish machine. Dishwasher (chlorine 0ppm) Observed tube of sanitizer not stored in any chemical, tube laying across other buckets under dishwashing machine. Operator placed another bucket of chemical but unable to dispense properly. Operator called to have machine serviced. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
35A-02-6High Priority – Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed approximately 12 flying insects in the following areas: Observed two flying insects in dish ware area. Observed six flying insects by back door area. Observed two flying insects in front of house in server area. Observed two flying insects by soda machine in server area. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed multiple time/temperature control for safety foods with temperature higher than 41F. Raw chicken (45-46F – Cold Holding) Cooked chicken (47-48F – Cold Holding) in reach in cooler drawer below grill. Operator stated drawer may have been left open during lunch rush. Also, Housemate Tomatillo salsa w/ cut tomatoes(52F – Cold Holding) on front service line.operator stated the salsa was on ice earlier during lunch but melted. Operator voluntarily discarded salsa. Also, Queso cheese (66F – Cooling); Cooked chicken (47-48F – Cold Holding); refried beans (45F – Cold Holding); raw pork (47F – Cold Holding) in walk-in cooler . Observed cooler door not fully closing. Operator worked to fully close walk-in cooler door. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed multiple time/temperature control for safety foods temping less than 135F. Chorizo, cooked beef (88-106F – Hot Holding); Queso cheese (90F – Hot Holding) On top of stove without burner on. Employee turned burner back on and retested foods at more than 165F **Corrected On-Site**
Intermediate 3
22-02-4Intermediate – Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed mold like substance on soda machine in server area. Observed soiled water build up in holster of soda gun.
41-17-4Intermediate – Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed an unlabeled spray bottle containing toxic substance in dish ware area.
27-16-4Intermediate – Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. No hot water at hand wash sink on cookline. And hand wash sink in warewashing area
Basic 17
36-36-4Basic – Ceiling tile missing. Observed multiple missing ceiling tiles above walk-in cooler.
24-06-4Basic – Clean utensils or equipment stored in dirty drawer or rack. Observed clean pans and utensils stored in dirty tub.
14-74-7Basic – Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Walk in cooler unable to maintain temperature of 41F and below. Observed walk-in cooler with ambient temperature of 46F. Observed walk-in cooler door not able to fully close, latch doesn't keep door shut. **Warning**
35A-03-4Basic – Dead roaches on premises. Observed one dead roach next to booth in dining area. Also, one dead roach observed u set table on side of bar. Operator cleaned up both dead roaches. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
29-18-4Basic – Drain cover(s) missing. Observed missing drain cover under three compartment sink.
12B-07-4Basic – Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee beverage on shelf above chips and queso in server area.
40-06-5Basic – Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee cell phone on cook line next to ready to eat foods on shelf. Employee removed cell phone. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4Basic – Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried – wet nesting. Observed stacked clean utensils in containers in dish ware area unable to dry properly .
14-11-5Basic – Equipment in poor repair. Observed door of ice machine in disrepair and easily unattached. Also, bottom of walk-in cooler door in disrepair. **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5Basic – Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed missing floor tiles and multiple floor tiles in disrepair in bar area, cook line and warewashing areas
08B-38-4Basic – Food stored on floor. Observed box of oil by back door stored on floor. **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4Basic – In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs hanging from oven door on cook line. Operator removed tongs to properly store. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4Basic – Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in freezer around corner of cook line with gaskets soiled. **Repeat Violation**
35B-05-4Basic – Outer openings not protected during operation and vermin and/or environmental cross contamination present. Observed gap beneath back door by dry storage and back door by walk-in cooler not protecting from vermin being present.
29-08-4Basic – Plumbing system in disrepair. Observed plumbing in disrepair at hand wash sink by walk-in cooler. Pipes missing causing water to pour onto floor. Also, Observed leaking faucet in three compartment sink.
42-03-5Basic – Storage of maintenance equipment/tools in areas that may result in cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens and/or single-service and single-use articles. Observed employee bike in dry storage area by back door blocking access and leaning on single service items.
21-03-4Basic – Wet wiping cloths stored in detergent and sanitizer mixed together. Wet wiping cloths stored in bucket with soap and bleach mixed together per operator in bar area. Operator emptied bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
Inspector observations synchronized from DBPR on October 2, 2026 1:31 PM.
Violation category totals
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
3 observation(s)
2 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.