EL TARASCO MEXICAN RESTAURANT
1320 Business Way
Florida, 33936
Lehigh Acres
Lee County County
Overall Food Safety Rating
★★½☆☆ (2.5/5)
Based on 5 health inspection reports
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All Inspection Reports
Inspection on 3/28/2025
High Priority
0
Intermediate
0
Basic
3
Total
3
Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
Inspection Details:
- 23-24-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed buildup of food debris on reach in cooler and walk in cooler door handles. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-28: **Time Extended**
- 23-03-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed build up of food debris on walk in cooler shelves. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-28: **Time Extended**
- 14-17-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed walk in cooler shelves rusted. Repeat Violation Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-28: **Time Extended**
Food safety inspection conducted on 3/28/2025 revealed 3 total violations (0 high priority, 0 intermediate, 3 basic).
Inspection on 1/15/2025
High Priority
0
Intermediate
5
Basic
5
Total
10
Disposition: Follow-up Inspection Required
Inspection Details:
- 22-20-5:Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed brown slime like material on interior of ice machine. Repeat Violation Warning
- 23-24-4:Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed buildup of food debris on reach in cooler and walk in cooler door handles. Warning
- 36-34-5:Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed dust like substance on ceiling tiles and vents. Repeat Violation Warning
- 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed build up of food debris on walk in cooler shelves. Warning
- 14-17-4:Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed walk in cooler shelves rusted. Repeat Violation Warning
- 53A-03-7:Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ observed food manager certificate is expired. Warning
- 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed build up of food substance on can opener blade. Repeat Violation Warning
- 31A-09-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed container of sugar and beverage in hand wash sink at the inside bar operator removed items. Corrected On-Site Warning
- 53A-05-6:Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ observed no certified food manager present with 4 employees working. Warning
- 31B-02-4:Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at hand wash sink next to the dishwasher. Warning
Food safety inspection conducted on 1/15/2025 revealed 10 total violations (0 high priority, 5 intermediate, 5 basic).
Inspection on 8/7/2024
High Priority
0
Intermediate
2
Basic
5
Total
9
Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
Inspection Details:
- 36-34-5:Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling tiles with built up of dust/grease on ceiling tiles.
- 14-69-4:Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed buildup of ice in walk in freezer on the door and on the condenser.
- 10-08-5:Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed ice scoop handle in contact with ice in the large ice maker near the rear exit door. Repeat Violation
- 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on walk in cooler door soiled with food debris.
- 14-17-4:Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed rust on the shelves in the walk in cooler.
- 49-05-4:Flammables stored near a source of ignition. For reporting purposes only. Observed 1 can of gasoline store in the front dining room next to the double doors.
- 02C-02-5:Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed bulk containers of prepared pulled chicken and cooked ground taco meat not date marked in The walk in cooler. Repeat Violation
- 41-17-4:Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed unlabeled white spray bottle on table next to the floor mixer.
- 46-01-4:Marked exit/path to marked exit blocked. For reporting purposes only. Observed fire exit door blocked in main dining room blocked with restaurant items and bags of towels. Repeat Violation
Food safety inspection conducted on 8/7/2024 revealed 9 total violations (0 high priority, 2 intermediate, 5 basic).
Inspection on 12/5/2023
High Priority
1
Intermediate
2
Basic
5
Total
8
Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
Inspection Details:
- 14-01-5:Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed no handle bowl in contact with sugar in bulk sugar bin in kitchen next to hot box. Operator removed bowl. Corrected On-Site
- 23-24-4:Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed build up of food debris on walk in cooler door handle.
- 10-08-5:Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed ice scoop handle in contact with ice in bin in kitchen. Operator moved ice scoop. Corrected On-Site
- 31B-04-4:Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no handwash sign at sink next to dishwashing area.
- 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed buildup of food debris on walk in cooler shelves.
- 41-07-4:High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed prescription medicine bottle on top shelf above plate line on right hand side of cook line. Operator removed medicine. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation
- 31B-05-4:Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Paper towels unable to be dispensed at dispenser on cook line next to fryers. Operator replaced batteries. Corrected On-Site
- 02C-02-5:Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed 5 gallon bulk buckets of sauce, bulk bins of cooked beef, cooked chicken and cooked pork in walk in cooler prepared over 24 hours in advance according to staff not date marked. Repeat Violation
Food safety inspection conducted on 12/5/2023 revealed 8 total violations (1 high priority, 2 intermediate, 5 basic).
Inspection on 9/29/2023
High Priority
1
Intermediate
1
Basic
5
Total
7
Disposition: Met Inspection Standards
Inspection Details:
- 51-11-4:Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed co2 tanks not secured in dry storage.
- 10-20-4:Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs stored on gas line next to fryer. Operator moved tongs to other location. Corrected On-Site
- 05-09-4:Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed no ambient thermometers inside reach in coolers. Operator located behind food item. Corrected On-Site
- 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in door gaskets soiled with food debris.
- 08B-12-5:Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed poblano stuffed peppers on walk in freezer not covered or wrapped. Operator wrapped trays of peppers. Corrected On-Site
- 41-07-4:High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed chest congestion medicine on cook-line with utensils. Operator moved medicine. Corrected On-Site
- 02C-02-5:Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed beef, chicken wings, cooked shredded chicken and various 5 gal containers of sauce, beans, and fresh salsa not date marked, prepared over 24 hours.
Food safety inspection conducted on 9/29/2023 revealed 7 total violations (1 high priority, 1 intermediate, 5 basic).