How many health inspections has EL TROPICO CUBAN CUISINE had?

EL TROPICO CUBAN CUISINE has had 24 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.

Has EL TROPICO CUBAN CUISINE ever been shut down?

Yes, EL TROPICO CUBAN CUISINE has been shut down 2 times by state inspectors.

What are the most common violations at EL TROPICO CUBAN CUISINE?

The most frequently cited violations at EL TROPICO CUBAN CUISINE are: Proper hand/arm washing, Food contact surfaces, Proper cooking temps.

What does Florida violation V06 (Handwashing facilities) mean?

HYGIENE INFRASTRUCTURE FAILURE: Without adequate handwashing facilities, proper hand hygiene is impossible. Studies show handwashing compliance drops to 5% when sinks are inaccessible or poorly equipped. No hot water means grease and biofilms remain on hands. No soap reduces bacterial removal from 99.9% to 25%. No towels means wet hands spread 1,000x more bacteria. Provide handwashing facilities with: hot and cold running water (minimum 100°F), soap in dispensers, single-use paper towels or air dryers, waste receptacle. Sinks must be accessible at all times — never blocked by equipment, supplies, or used for other purposes. Install handwashing signs in employee language(s).

What does Florida violation V08 (Proper hand/arm washing) mean?

TECHNIQUE FAILURE: Improper handwashing technique leaves pathogens on hands even when a handwashing attempt is made. Studies show 95% of people wash hands incorrectly — most don't scrub for 20 seconds or miss fingertips, thumbs, and between fingers. Incomplete washing creates a false sense of security while still transferring E. coli, Norovirus, and Salmonella to food. Correct technique requires: wet hands with clean warm water, apply soap, lather and scrub for 20+ seconds covering all surfaces including fingertips/nails/between fingers/back of hands, rinse thoroughly, dry with single-use towel. Use towel to turn off faucet. Do NOT use hand sanitizer as substitute for handwashing.

What does Florida violation V10 (Approved food source) mean?

UNSAFE FOOD SOURCE: Food from unapproved sources bypasses USDA/FDA safety inspections, potentially harboring Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, parasites, or chemical contaminants. Uninspected meat may contain antibiotics, hormones, or prions (mad cow disease). Home-canned foods risk deadly Clostridium botulinum toxin. Wild-harvested shellfish may contain paralytic toxins. All food must come from approved, inspected sources. Maintain supplier documentation and invoices. Shellfish must have proper tags retained for 90 days. No home-prepared, home-canned, or uninspected foods. Wild game must be commercially processed. Verify supplier licenses and inspection status.

EL TROPICO CUBAN CUISINE

17020 COLLINS AVE, North Miami Beach, FL 33160

Miami-Dade County · Permanent Food Service · Owner: EL TROPICO CUBAN CUISINE INC · License: SEA2326235

EL TROPICO CUBAN CUISINE in North Miami Beach, FL has 24 inspections on record with 173 total violations (7.2 per inspection) and 2 emergency closures.

24Inspections

173Violations

2Closures

Data current as of May 9, 2025

Emergency Closures (2)

Emergency closure history for EL TROPICO CUBAN CUISINE
Date	Reason	Reopened
Jan 28, 2020	Rodent activity	08:14:00
Jul 28, 2015	Roach activity	09:51:00

Inspection History (24)

May 9, 2025 — Complaint Full· 5 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

Feb 10, 2025 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Aug 20, 2024 — Routine - Food· 6 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

Mar 5, 2024 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V40 Wiping cloths usage

Oct 2, 2023 — Routine - Food· 10 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

V24 Toxic substance control

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

Jun 30, 2023 — Routine - Food· 9 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

Aug 9, 2022 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

Jan 12, 2022 — Routine - Food· 9 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Jul 29, 2021 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V21 Time as control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

Jan 5, 2021 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V24 Toxic substance control

Aug 18, 2020 — Routine - Food· 7 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Jan 29, 2020 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Emergency Order Callback Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Jan 28, 2020 — Routine - Food· 11 violations (4 high priority)· Emergency order recommended

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V21 Time as control

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

Jul 19, 2019 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Jul 18, 2019 — Routine - Food· 13 violations (4 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Mar 28, 2019 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V16 Proper cooking temps

Mar 27, 2019 — Routine - Food· 5 violations · Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V23 Chemical properly stored

Aug 24, 2018 — Routine - Food· 14 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V13 Parasite destruction

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V40 Wiping cloths usage

Dec 11, 2017 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V10 Approved food source

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

Jun 6, 2017 — Complaint Full· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Jun 2, 2017 — Complaint Full· 15 violations (4 high priority)· Warning Issued

Feb 28, 2017 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

Feb 24, 2017 — Routine - Food· 18 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V13 Parasite destruction

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

Oct 11, 2016 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V05 Handwashing procedures

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V23 Chemical properly stored

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

How Does This Facility Compare?

EL TROPICO CUBAN CUISINE has had 2 emergency closures, compared to the Miami-Dade County average of 0.08 closures per facility. It has averaged 7.2 violations per inspection vs. the county average of 4.07.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many health inspections has EL TROPICO CUBAN CUISINE had?: EL TROPICO CUBAN CUISINE has had 24 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.
Has EL TROPICO CUBAN CUISINE ever been shut down?: Yes, EL TROPICO CUBAN CUISINE has been shut down 2 times by state inspectors.
What are the most common violations at EL TROPICO CUBAN CUISINE?: The most frequently cited violations at EL TROPICO CUBAN CUISINE are: Proper hand/arm washing, Food contact surfaces, Proper cooking temps.

Nearby Establishments

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ST TROPEZ BISTRO

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LA SANDWICHERIE SUNNY ISLES

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Editorial Standards & Data Oversight

Data Source: This report is based on official public inspection records from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).

Editorial Process: Content generated using AI to synthesize complex regulatory data, then reviewed and verified for accuracy by our editorial team.

Professional Review: All content undergoes standards and compliance oversight by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., Nationally Registered EMT & BU-trained Paralegal, using professional regulatory data auditing protocols.

Last verified: May 9, 2025 | Our methodology | Editorial standards | Report an error

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with EL TROPICO CUBAN CUISINE.