DirtyFLRestaurant Inspection Data

GARCIA'S TACO EXPRESS INC

GARCIA'S TACO EXPRESS INC maintains a 2.7/5 food safety rating based on 6 health department inspections in WAUCHULA. Recent inspections indicate some food safety concerns.

1448 US HWY 17 N

Overall Food Safety Rating

★★½☆☆ (2.7/5)
Based on 6 health inspection reports

All Inspection Reports

Inspection Date: 9/2/2025

Inspection #: Visit ID: 10870148

  • 36-32-5:Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling tile damaged in the kitchen and a ceiling tile damaged in dining area back towards the restrooms. Repeat Violation
  • 14-09-4:Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed a couple of cutting boards grooved in the kitchen.
  • 12B-07-4:Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed an employees cup by the grill and an employees cup on the shelf with clean dishes.
  • 13-07-4:Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employee with a bracelet on while preparing food prep.
  • 14-11-5:Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gaskets in two reach in coolers in the kitchen. Repeat Violation
  • 35B-01-4:Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed gap under door on right side by back exit.
  • 31B-04-4:Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand washing sign in the women's bathroom, sent the operator a copy by email. **Corrective Action Taken**
  • 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hoods are soiled with grease. Repeat Violation
  • 29-08-4:Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Observed the faucet in the employees bathroom is loose.
  • 14-33-4:Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed shelves in reach in cooler in the kitchen are rust pitted.
  • 08A-05-6:High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shrimp above red and green salsa in the reach in cooler in the kitchen, operator moved. Corrected On-Site

Inspection Date: 11/6/2024

Inspection #: Visit ID: 8875352

  • 22-20-5:Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine.
  • 36-32-5:Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed five ceiling tiles in the storage area and five in the kitchen area that are damaged.
  • 36-34-5:Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling above the cook line soiled.
  • 14-11-5:Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket is torn on the reach in cooler door, towards the back of kitchen.
  • 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters on the exhaust fan, are soiled, on the cook line.
  • 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Slicer blade soiled.
  • 41-17-4:Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle with chemical not labeled on shelves above mop sink. Owner removed and put label on it. Corrected On-Site

Inspection Date: 8/29/2024

Inspection #: Visit ID: 8874322

  • 36-36-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling tile missing. 5 ceiling tiles missing in the back storage area. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-29: **Time Extended**
  • 36-24-5:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. 2x3 foot hole in the wall in the dry storage area. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-29: **Time Extended**
  • 23-03-4:Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-29: **Time Extended**
  • 27-19-4:Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Handwash sink does not have enough water pressure to properly wash hands. Hand washing sink across from the cook line has very low pressure. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-29: **Time Extended**

Inspection Date: 8/28/2024

Inspection #: Visit ID: 8773571

  • 36-36-4:Basic - Ceiling tile missing. 5 ceiling tiles missing in the back storage area. Warning
  • 35A-03-4:Basic - Dead roaches on premises. observed approximately 30 dead roaches under the stand up reach in cooler across from the cook line. Warning
  • 12B-07-4:Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drinks stored next to and on the slicer. Employee removed the drinks. Corrected On-Site Warning
  • 36-73-4:Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors soiled under all reach in coolers in the kitchen and the dry storage racks in the dry storage area. Warning
  • 36-24-5:Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. 2x3 foot hole in the wall in the dry storage area. Warning
  • 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled. Warning
  • 01A-05-4:High Priority - Food/ice received from unapproved source/no invoice provided to verify source. See Stop Sale. 6 flats of eggs stored at room temperature in the front counter area. The operator stated the eggs came from the owners farm and were for sale to the customers, no invoice was available. Operator discarded the eggs. Admin Complaint
  • 08A-20-5:High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken stored over raw beef in the reach in cooler across from the cook line. Operator removed the chicken. Corrected On-Site Warning
  • 35A-05-4:High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed approximately 10 live roaches under the stand up reach in cooler across from the cook line. Warning
  • 35A-04-4:High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 10 rodent droppings next to the three compartment sink in the kitchen. Observed approximately 15 rodent droppings under the dry storage shelves in the dry storage area. Warning
  • 01B-04-5:High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food originating from an unapproved source. 6 flats of eggs stored at room temperature in the front counter area. The operator stated the eggs came from the owners farm and were for sale to the customers, no invoice was available. Operator discarded the eggs. Admin Complaint
  • 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled. Warning
  • 27-19-4:Intermediate - Handwash sink does not have enough water pressure to properly wash hands. Hand washing sink across from the cook line has very low pressure. Warning

Inspection Date: 11/8/2023

Inspection #: Visit ID: 8454385

  • 14-09-4:Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
  • 12B-02-4:Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed twist off top water bottle stored on shelf with tortillas at kitchen. Manager removed. Corrected On-Site
  • 40-06-5:Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed electronic tablet stored with clean dishes beside prep table at kitchen. Manager removed. Corrected On-Site
  • 08B-36-4:Basic - Food stored in a location that is exposed to splash/dust. Observed open cooler on floor, full of paper wrapped tortillas stored beside handsink at kitchen. Manager moved to a safe location. Corrected On-Site
  • 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener with old food debris on blade. Manager moved to dishwash. Corrected On-Site
  • 31B-06-4:Intermediate - Soap dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense soap at front counter handsink. Manager provided new soap dispenser. Corrected On-Site

Inspection Date: 7/25/2023

Inspection #: Visit ID: 8372498

  • 14-01-5:Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed bowl used to scoop dry rice at dry storage bulk container.
  • 14-05-4:Basic - Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Observed old torn and grease laden cardboard under microwave at kitchen.
  • 14-09-4:Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
  • 33-29-4:Basic - Grease receptacle lid open, broken, or missing.
  • 36-68-5:Basic - Hood ventilation system inadequate as evidenced by grease accumulation on walls/ceiling. Observed grease buildup and dripping off hood filters over stove in kitchen. Dust and grease on vents at front of hood.
  • 23-03-4:Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed exterior of microwave soiled with food splatter.
  • 22-02-4:Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris,. Observed old food debris on slicer after cleaning.