This visit closed with no further action required.
EL BALCON DE LAS AMERICAS
1823 E COMMERCIAL BLVD, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33308
EL BALCON DE LAS AMERICAS has a mixed inspection record — 12 violations in the past year, including 4 high-priority. Not alarming, but worth knowing before you order. The trailing-year record shows 12 violations, including 4 high-priority and 0 Emergency Orders of Closure.
Scores higher than 26% of the 1015 inspected restaurants in FORT LAUDERDALE on the trailing-year record.
4 high-priority violations on the trailing-year record — above the Broward County average of 2.6.
The Inspection Record
11 inspectionsFull available history. The score uses only the most recent 365 days — older visits are shown for context, not counted.
Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Employee jackets, phones, drinks, or other personal items stored where they can contaminate food.
Garbage overflowing or uncovered, or the premises not maintained.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
Dish machine or sinks not set up or working properly, or missing sanitizer test kit and gauges.
Garbage overflowing or uncovered, or the premises not maintained.
Clean equipment and utensils stored improperly or not air-dried.
Employee jackets, phones, drinks, or other personal items stored where they can contaminate food.
Electrical wiring or outlets not in good repair.
This visit closed with no further action required.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
A sick or symptomatic employee present, or staff unaware of when illness bars them from working with food.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Shelves, counters, handles, or equipment exteriors soiled with grease, debris, or dust.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Floors, walls, ceilings, or attached equipment dirty, damaged, or poorly vented.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Food from an unapproved supplier, unsafe or spoiled food, missing shellfish harvest tags, or raw fish without required parasite destruction.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Hands not washed or gloves not changed when required, or employees eating, drinking, or smoking in food areas.
A sick or symptomatic employee present, or staff unaware of when illness bars them from working with food.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Scoops and other in-use utensils stored improperly (e.g. handle down in the food).
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
Plumbing not installed or maintained properly — leaks, mop sink issues, unserviced water filters, or missing backflow prevention.
Violation categories, explained
Every violation on this record falls into one of the state's standardized categories. Here is what each category covers and why inspectors check for it — in plain English, with the trailing-year count for this kitchen.
Cold food must stay at 41°F or below and hot food at 135°F or above, through receiving, holding, cooking, cooling, and reheating. The range in between is where bacteria multiply fastest, which is why temperature control is checked on nearly every visit.
On this record, the category appears in 2 of the 3 trailing-year inspections. The written details for each entry are in the state inspection documents linked above.
The inspection record above comes straight from the state's files.
Dirty Dish List is built from public inspection data published by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The inspection dates, dispositions, and violations on this report card mirror what the state has on file for License No. 1624106 — you can read the original documents yourself and compare.