How many health inspections has LA COCINA MEXICANA had?

LA COCINA MEXICANA has had 35 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.

Has LA COCINA MEXICANA ever been shut down?

No, LA COCINA MEXICANA has no emergency closures on record.

What are the most common violations at LA COCINA MEXICANA?

The most frequently cited violations at LA COCINA MEXICANA are: Management awareness, Proper ventilation, Food contact surfaces.

What does Florida violation V02 (Employee health policy) mean?

DISEASE TRANSMISSION: Without a written employee health policy, sick food workers transmit Norovirus (20 million US cases/year), Hepatitis A (causes liver failure), Salmonella, Shigella, and E. coli O157:H7. CDC estimates 40% of restaurant outbreaks involve ill food workers. A single infected employee can contaminate food for thousands of customers. Maintain written employee health policy addressing: reporting of symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, sore throat with fever), diagnosed illnesses (Norovirus, Hepatitis A, Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli), exclusion and restriction criteria, and return-to-work requirements. Train all employees on policy at hiring and annually.

What does Florida violation V14 (Food contact surfaces) mean?

CROSS-CONTAMINATION: Improperly cleaned food contact surfaces are a primary vehicle for bacterial transfer. Cutting boards can harbor 200x more fecal bacteria than a toilet seat. Biofilms form on surfaces within 24 hours, protecting Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli from routine cleaning. One contaminated surface can transfer pathogens to dozens of food items throughout the day. Clean and sanitize ALL food contact surfaces: after each use, between different food types (especially raw meat to ready-to-eat), every 4 hours during continuous use, and when contaminated. Use proper sanitizer concentration: chlorine 50-100 ppm, quaternary ammonium 200-400 ppm. Air dry — do not towel dry. Test sanitizer concentration every 2 hours.

What does Florida violation V16 (Proper cooking temps) mean?

PATHOGEN SURVIVAL: Undercooking is a leading cause of foodborne illness. Salmonella in poultry survives below 165°F — causes 1.35 million US infections annually. E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef survives below 155°F — causes bloody diarrhea and kidney failure. Trichinella in pork survives below 145°F. Proper cooking is the critical kill step that destroys these pathogens. Cook to minimum internal temperatures: Poultry/stuffing/reheated foods: 165°F for 15 seconds. Ground meats: 155°F for 15 seconds. Pork/beef/fish/eggs (immediate service): 145°F for 15 seconds. Whole roasts: 145°F for 4 minutes. Verify with calibrated probe thermometer in thickest part. Microwave cooking: 165°F, rotate, stand 2 minutes.

LA COCINA MEXICANA

3290 US 1 S STE D, Saint Augustine, FL 32086

St. Johns County · Permanent Food Service · Owner: LUNA PELUCHE INC · License: SEA6501660

LA COCINA MEXICANA in Saint Augustine, FL has 35 inspections on record with 218 total violations (6.2 per inspection) and 0 emergency closures.

35Inspections

218Violations

0Closures

Data current as of June 17, 2025

Inspection History (35)

Jun 17, 2025 — Routine - Food· 11 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Feb 11, 2025 — Routine - Food· 9 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V06 Handwashing facilities

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Jun 10, 2024 — Routine - Food· 15 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

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

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

Nov 21, 2023 — Routine - Food· 17 violations (2 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V11 Food in good condition

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

V42 Equipment condition

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

Mar 20, 2023 — Routine - Food· 14 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

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

Dec 8, 2022 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V32 Proper sanitizing

V35 Single-use items

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

May 23, 2022 — Routine - Food· 12 violations (2 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Basic Violations

V50 Adequate lighting

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

Feb 18, 2022 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Feb 16, 2022 — Routine - Food· 1 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Extension given, pending

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

Feb 14, 2022 — Routine - Food· 1 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Extension given, pending

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

Feb 11, 2022 — Routine - Food· 22 violations (4 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

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

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V32 Proper sanitizing

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

Jan 8, 2021 — Routine - Food· 5 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V12 Shell stock requirements

V21 Time as control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V41 Toilet facilities

Sep 28, 2020 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

Jun 11, 2020 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

May 15, 2020 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Extension given, pending

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

Mar 16, 2020 — Routine - Food· 15 violations · Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

Dec 10, 2019 — Routine - Food· 10 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V09 No contamination

V12 Shell stock requirements

V14 Food contact surfaces

V23 Chemical properly stored

V28 Water supply

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Jun 6, 2019 — Food-Licensing Inspection· 11 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

Nov 19, 2018 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Admin. Complaint Callback Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Aug 6, 2018 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Complied

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Aug 1, 2018 — Routine - Food· 3 violations (2 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Jul 27, 2018 — Routine - Food· 14 violations (3 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

Dec 22, 2017 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

Dec 7, 2017 — Routine - Food· 4 violations (2 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Dec 1, 2017 — Routine - Food· 10 violations (3 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V23 Chemical properly stored

V24 Toxic substance control

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

V40 Wiping cloths usage

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

May 30, 2017 — Routine - Food· 4 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

May 24, 2017 — Routine - Food· 10 violations (3 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V05 Handwashing procedures

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V36 Proper ventilation

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

How Does This Facility Compare?

LA COCINA MEXICANA has had 0 emergency closures, compared to the St. Johns County average of 0.17 closures per facility. It has averaged 6.2 violations per inspection vs. the county average of 3.87.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many health inspections has LA COCINA MEXICANA had?: LA COCINA MEXICANA has had 35 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.
Has LA COCINA MEXICANA ever been shut down?: No, LA COCINA MEXICANA has no emergency closures on record.
What are the most common violations at LA COCINA MEXICANA?: The most frequently cited violations at LA COCINA MEXICANA are: Management awareness, Proper ventilation, Food contact surfaces.

Nearby Establishments

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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: June 17, 2025 | Our methodology | Editorial standards | Report an error

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with LA COCINA MEXICANA.