Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant in Gainesville

Last inspected:

3501 Sw 2 Ave, Gainesville, FL 32607
Overview

Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant in Gainesville has accumulated 287 violations across 23 inspections since 2016, averaging 12.5 violations per inspection—more than double Florida's statewide average of 5.2. The facility has not been emergency-closed but has faced repeated administrative complaint recommendations, including two in the most recent inspection cycle in February 2026. High-priority violations have centered on employee health policy (including hand washing and health reporting failures), allergen awareness, chemical storage, food contact surface sanitation, proper cooking temperatures, and shell stock requirements. A complaint-based inspection on February 4, 2026 documented 51 violations, and a follow-up inspection the next day on February 5 documented an additional 12 violations including multiple employee health policy breaches, prompting an administrative complaint recommendation. The pattern of violations resurfaces after brief periods of compliance: inspections in August 2025, February 2025, and December 2025 each showed zero violations and "Call Back - Complied" dispositions, but subsequent routine inspections documented dozens of violations each time, suggesting systemic compliance challenges that recur when inspection attention lapses. The most recent inspection on February 5, 2026 resulted in an administrative complaint recommendation.

Summary generated from Florida DBPR public inspection records. This facility has an active inspection record with the Florida DBPR.

27Inspections
316Violations
0Closures
1Fire

Last inspected DBPR:

Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant in Gainesville: Comparison to Alachua County Averages

This Facility 11.7 violations / inspection 11.7 violations per inspection
Alachua County Avg 5.14 violations / inspection 5.14 county average
This Facility 0 emergency closures 0 closures
Alachua County Avg 0.24 closures / facility 0.24 county average

Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant in Gainesville: Fire Safety & Life Safety Violations (1)

— 1 fire violation

— Routine - Food · 45-02-4 · Administrative complaint recommended

Inspector Observation: Portable fire extinguisher gauge in red zone. For reporting purposes only. Fire extinguisher on floor at end of cook line.
Legal Basis: Reporting: (d) The division, or its agent, shall notify the local firesafety authority or the State Fire Marshal of any readily observable violation of a rule adopted under chapter 633 which relates to public lodging establishments or public food establishments, and the identification of such violation does not require any firesafety inspection certification. For reporting purposes only.

Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant in Gainesville: Full Inspection History — DBPR (27)

— 6 inspections43 violations · 27 high priority
— Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected
— Routine - Food· 19 violations (13 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness
V03 Employee health reporting
V06 Handwashing facilities
V08 Proper hand/arm washing
V10 Approved food source
V12 Shell stock requirements
V14 Food contact surfaces
V16 Proper cooking temps
V22 Consumer advisory
V23 Chemical properly stored
V24 Toxic substance control
V25 Allergen awareness
V28 Water supply

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal
V31 Clean multi-use utensils
V36 Proper ventilation
V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean
V53 Outer openings protected
— Complaint Full· 1 violations · Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean
— Complaint Full· 1 violations · Call Back - Extension given, pending

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean
— Complaint Full· 4 violations (3 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy
V03 Employee health reporting
V08 Proper hand/arm washing

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean
— Complaint Full· 17 violations (11 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy
V03 Employee health reporting
V06 Handwashing facilities
V08 Proper hand/arm washing
V10 Approved food source
V12 Shell stock requirements
V14 Food contact surfaces
V22 Consumer advisory
V23 Chemical properly stored
V24 Toxic substance control
V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal
V31 Clean multi-use utensils
V36 Proper ventilation
V40 Wiping cloths usage
V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean
— 6 inspections44 violations · 32 high priority
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

— Routine - Food· 14 violations (10 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness
V02 Employee health policy
V03 Employee health reporting
V08 Proper hand/arm washing
V10 Approved food source
V12 Shell stock requirements
V14 Food contact surfaces
V16 Proper cooking temps
V23 Chemical properly stored
V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils
V33 Proper cooling equipment
V36 Proper ventilation
V41 Toilet facilities
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

— Routine - Food· 16 violations (10 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness
V03 Employee health reporting
V06 Handwashing facilities
V08 Proper hand/arm washing
V12 Shell stock requirements
V14 Food contact surfaces
V16 Proper cooking temps
V22 Consumer advisory
V24 Toxic substance control
V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal
V31 Clean multi-use utensils
V32 Proper sanitizing
V33 Proper cooling equipment
V36 Proper ventilation
V41 Toilet facilities
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

— Routine - Food· 14 violations (12 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness
V02 Employee health policy
V03 Employee health reporting
V06 Handwashing facilities
V08 Proper hand/arm washing
V10 Approved food source
V12 Shell stock requirements
V14 Food contact surfaces
V16 Proper cooking temps
V22 Consumer advisory
V23 Chemical properly stored
V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal
V36 Proper ventilation
— 4 inspections33 violations · 26 high priority
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

— Routine - Food· 16 violations (13 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness
V02 Employee health policy
V03 Employee health reporting
V06 Handwashing facilities
V08 Proper hand/arm washing
V10 Approved food source
V12 Shell stock requirements
V14 Food contact surfaces
V16 Proper cooking temps
V22 Consumer advisory
V23 Chemical properly stored
V24 Toxic substance control
V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal
V31 Clean multi-use utensils
V33 Proper cooling equipment
— Routine - Food· 1 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting
— Routine - Food· 16 violations (12 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy
V03 Employee health reporting
V08 Proper hand/arm washing
V10 Approved food source
V11 Food in good condition
V12 Shell stock requirements
V14 Food contact surfaces
V16 Proper cooking temps
V22 Consumer advisory
V23 Chemical properly stored
V24 Toxic substance control
V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal
V33 Proper cooling equipment
V36 Proper ventilation
V38 Waste properly disposed
— 7 inspections46 violations · 29 high priority
— Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

— Routine - Food· 16 violations (11 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness
V03 Employee health reporting
V05 Handwashing procedures
V08 Proper hand/arm washing
V10 Approved food source
V12 Shell stock requirements
V14 Food contact surfaces
V16 Proper cooking temps
V22 Consumer advisory
V23 Chemical properly stored
V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal
V31 Clean multi-use utensils
V33 Proper cooling equipment
V36 Proper ventilation
V41 Toilet facilities
— Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected
— Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Extension given, pending

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected
— Routine - Food· 3 violations (2 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness
V03 Employee health reporting

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected
— Routine - Food· 24 violations (16 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness
V02 Employee health policy
V03 Employee health reporting
V05 Handwashing procedures
V06 Handwashing facilities
V08 Proper hand/arm washing
V10 Approved food source
V11 Food in good condition
V12 Shell stock requirements
V14 Food contact surfaces
V16 Proper cooking temps
V21 Time as control
V22 Consumer advisory
V23 Chemical properly stored
V24 Toxic substance control
V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal
V31 Clean multi-use utensils
V33 Proper cooling equipment
V35 Single-use items
V36 Proper ventilation
V41 Toilet facilities
V42 Equipment condition

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected
— Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected
— 4 inspections34 violations · 20 high priority
— Routine - Food· 2 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected
— Routine - Food· 2 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Extension given, pending

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected
— Routine - Food· 22 violations (14 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy
V03 Employee health reporting
V05 Handwashing procedures
V06 Handwashing facilities
V08 Proper hand/arm washing
V10 Approved food source
V12 Shell stock requirements
V14 Food contact surfaces
V16 Proper cooking temps
V21 Time as control
V22 Consumer advisory
V23 Chemical properly stored
V24 Toxic substance control
V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal
V31 Clean multi-use utensils
V33 Proper cooling equipment
V35 Single-use items
V36 Proper ventilation
V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V45 Floor maintenance
V53 Outer openings protected
— Food-Licensing Inspection· 8 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V05 Handwashing procedures
V14 Food contact surfaces
V22 Consumer advisory
V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils
V35 Single-use items
V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant in Gainesville: Frequently Asked Questions

When was Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant in Gainesville last inspected?
Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant in Gainesville was last inspected by Florida DBPR on September 15, 2026. The result was: Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended.
What are the most common violations at Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant in Gainesville?
The most frequently cited violations at Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant in Gainesville are: Employee health reporting, Proper hand/arm washing, Food contact surfaces.
How many health inspections has Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant in Gainesville had?
Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant in Gainesville has had 27 inspections on record with Florida DBPR, averaging 11.7 violations per inspection, above the statewide average of 5.2.
What did the most recent inspection of Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant in Gainesville find?
Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant in Gainesville was most recently inspected on September 15, 2026 with 1 violation(s). Disposition: Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended.
Has Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant in Gainesville ever been shut down?
No, Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant in Gainesville has no emergency closures on record with Florida DBPR.
What does Florida violation V53 (Outer openings protected) mean?
Violation 53 (Outer openings protected) is classified as a basic priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/53.
Has Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant in Gainesville had any fire safety violations?
Yes, Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant in Gainesville has 1 fire safety violation(s) on record from Florida state fire inspections.

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