790 SW FEDERAL HWY, STUART, FL 34994
MERENGUE RESTAURANT AND CATERING INC has a mixed inspection record — 8 violations in the past year, including 4 high-priority. Not alarming, but worth knowing before you order. The trailing-year record shows 8 violations, including 4 high-priority and 0 Emergency Orders of Closure.
Scores higher than 44% of the 266 inspected restaurants in STUART on the trailing-year record.
4 high-priority violations on the trailing-year record — right at the Martin County average of 4.0.
Full available history. The score uses only the most recent 365 days — older visits are shown for context, not counted.
High-risk food (like meat) thawed improperly, promoting bacterial growth.
Food-contact or nonfood-contact surfaces improperly designed, constructed, maintained, or located.
This visit closed with no further action required.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Missing or expired food manager certification, or employee food-safety training not documented.
Surfaces that touch food — cutting boards, ice bins, dish racks — soiled or not sanitized.
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).
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).
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Roaches, rodents, flies, or other pests present — or doors and openings that let them in not protected.
Missing consumer advisory for raw or undercooked items, ready-to-eat food not date-marked, or food not properly labeled.
Handwash sink missing, blocked, or used for other purposes, or missing soap, towels, or the handwash sign.
Raw meat, poultry, or seafood not separated from ready-to-eat food, or food left unprotected during prep, storage, or display.
Food held, cooled, cooked, or reheated outside safe temperatures, letting dangerous bacteria multiply.
Single-use items (cups, straws, to-go containers) stored or handled improperly.
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.
Other conditions related to sanitary and safe operation.
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.
Raw meat, poultry, and seafood must be kept away from ready-to-eat food, and all food must be protected during prep, storage, and display. Inspectors treat separation seriously because raw-food drips and splashes carry pathogens onto food that will not be cooked again.
On this record, the category appears in 1 of the 4 trailing-year inspections. The written details for each entry are in the state inspection documents linked above.
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. 5301801 — you can read the original documents yourself and compare.