MIAMI, FL. An employee working while sick with a transmissible disease was still handling food at El Gallito Grill on SW 8th Avenue when state inspectors arrived last week, one of 12 high-severity violations documented at the restaurant during the week of April 18.
Inspectors also cited the restaurant for employees not reporting illness symptoms, inadequate handwashing, improper hand and arm washing technique, and no person in charge present or performing duties. El Gallito Grill has 32 prior inspections on record, the second-highest count among all 15 flagged facilities this week.
The Worst of the Week
High-Severity Violations by Facility, April 18-24, 2026
Candies Cabaret on NW 36th Street drew 10 high-severity violations, including food sourced from unapproved or unknown suppliers, no employee health policy, and no person in charge on duty. The cabaret has 16 prior inspections on record, the fewest among the week's double-digit violators.
El Palacio de los Jugos on E 4th Avenue was cited for eight high-severity violations, among them food from unapproved sources, employees not reporting illness symptoms, and inadequate handwashing facilities. The location has only 7 prior inspections on record, by far the least history of any facility flagged this week.
Shellfish, Parasites, and Unapproved Sources
A cluster of restaurants drew citations this week for violations tied specifically to raw and undercooked food risks.
Perl by Chef IP on NE 186th Street was cited for six high-severity violations including inadequate shell stock identification records, no consumer advisory for raw or undercooked foods, and employees not reporting illness symptoms. Shell stock records are required so shellfish can be traced back to their harvest source if customers become ill.
Vale Food Company Brickell on S Miami Avenue drew eight high-severity violations including inadequate shell stock identification, parasite destruction procedures not followed, and no employee health policy. The Brickell location has 26 prior inspections on record.
Spanglish and Grails on N Miami Avenue was also cited for eight high-severity violations, including parasite destruction procedures not followed and food not cooked to the required minimum temperature. Undercooking and skipped parasite protocols in the same inspection is a combination inspectors flag as among the higher-risk findings.
Sovereign of Miami LLC on NE 3rd Avenue drew eight high-severity violations including food not cooked to minimum temperature, parasite destruction procedures not followed, inadequate shell stock records, and food in poor condition or adulterated. The facility has 25 prior inspections on record.
Chemical Storage and Sanitation Failures
Two restaurants were cited this week for keeping toxic chemicals improperly stored or labeled near food.
El Encuentro Restaurant on NW 17th Avenue was cited for three high-severity violations, including toxic chemicals improperly stored or labeled and toxic substances improperly identified or used. Inspectors also documented improper sewage or wastewater disposal at the same location.
Ming Yuan Restaurant on NW 2nd Avenue drew four high-severity violations including the same dual chemical storage citations, plus food contact surfaces not properly cleaned or sanitized and no consumer advisory for raw or undercooked foods. Ming Yuan has 25 prior inspections on record.
The Longer Pattern
Bahama Fish on SW 8th Street carries the longest inspection history of any facility flagged this week, with 44 prior inspections on record. This visit added seven high-severity violations: no person in charge, no employee health policy, inadequate handwashing facilities, improper handwashing technique, and food contact surfaces not properly cleaned or sanitized.
Tayrona on NW 2nd Avenue was cited for seven high-severity violations including food in poor condition, improper use of time as a public health control, and inadequate handwashing. The restaurant has 23 prior inspections on record.
MIA Market on NE 39th Street drew eight high-severity violations including food from unapproved sources, food in poor condition, and no person in charge on duty.
Barbeque Stop Company on NW 23rd Street was cited for food in poor condition and food contact surfaces not properly cleaned, along with two intermediate violations. The location has 31 prior inspections on record.
El Palacio de los Jugos, with only 7 prior inspections on record, racked up 8 high-severity violations on what the records suggest was a relatively early visit in its inspection history.