EL MEZCAL MEXICAN RESTAURANT
8441 SW HWY 200 STE 147/149 · OCALA · Marion County · FL 34481
Inspection Summary
Violation Summary
Counts reported for this inspection visit.
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All DBPR Inspector Observations
28 full violation description(s) documented by the inspector during this visit.
High Priority 10
22-41-4High Priority – Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dish machine next to three compartment sink, 0 ppm. Employee primed machine, 50 ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-16-4High Priority – Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Employee entered kitchen and handled clean utensils without washing hands. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-13-4High Priority – Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee handled dirty dishes then proceeded to handle clean dishes without washing hands. Employee washed hands and rewashed dishes. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
12A-19-4High Priority – Employee washed hands with cold water. Employee entered kitchen and washed hands with cold water as there is no hot water for the establishment. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6High Priority – Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw fish stored over cheese in reach-in cooler across from kitchen entrance. Raw shrimp stored over lemons in walk-in cooler. Employee placed shrimp and fish on bottom shelves of respective coolers. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5High Priority – Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken stored over raw fish in walk-in cooler. Employee placed chicken on bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Items stored in reach-in cooler next to kitchen entrance: lettuce (48F – Cold Holding); cabbage (55F – Cold Holding). Employee stated items placed in cooler two hours prior to temperature being taken. Employee placed items inside of cooler to reduce temperature to 41F. Items stored in walk-in cooler: shrimp (44F – Cold Holding); beef (45F – Cold Holding). Items stored close to door, manager stated door propped open quite often. Manager opened door to walk-in freezer to reduce temperature of items to 41F. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03B-01-6High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Queso stored in warmer on counter in wait station: queso (121F – Hot Holding). Employee stated queso placed in warmer two hours prior to temperature being taken. Employee turned up temperature on warmer to reheat queso. Item stored on cook line stove top: rice (121F – Hot Holding). Manager stated rice placed on stovetop one hour prior to temperature being taken. Employee turned on stove to reheat rice. **Warning**
41-10-4High Priority – Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Bottle of soap stored next to bag of herbs in dry storage room next to back door.
29-34-4High Priority – Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Faucet beneath hand washing sink next to three compartment sink. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Intermediate 7
22-02-4Intermediate – Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on cook line reach-in cooler stained. Shelves in cook line reach-in freezer soiled with food debris.
27-19-4Intermediate – Handwash sink does not have enough water pressure to properly wash hands. Hand washing sink on cook line has no running water. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31A-11-4Intermediate – Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Employee dumped pan in hand washing sink next to three compartment sink.
27-18-4Intermediate – Hot water supply not maintained during peak periods. No hot water for any faucets, all faucets 74F-76F. **Warning**
53A-05-6Intermediate – 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/. No certified food manager present with seven employees working. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
31B-02-4Intermediate – No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No hand towels at cook line hand washing sink. Employee provided hand towels during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5Intermediate – Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Flan stored in wait station reach-in cooler, manager stated flan cooked the previous morning. **Repeat Violation**
Basic 11
16-03-4Basic – Accumulation of debris inside warewashing machine. Dish machine next to three compartment sink.
29-18-4Basic – Drain cover(s) missing. Drain next to soda machine in wait station.
12B-07-4Basic – Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on top of reach-in cooler next to kitchen entrance. Employee removed drink during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5Basic – Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee backpack stored on cans of peppers in dry storage area next to back door.
24-08-4Basic – Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried – wet nesting. Cups stored in wait station. Containers stored on shelf next to walk-in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5Basic – Equipment in poor repair. Gasket torn on reach-in cooler across from kitchen entrance. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4Basic – Food stored on floor. Containers of beef stored on floor in walk-in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-42-4Basic – Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system. Two hood filters missing in hood above cook line. **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4Basic – In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs hanging on cook line oven handle. Employee placed tongs on top of oven. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4Basic – Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood vents above cook line greasy.
25-06-4Basic – Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Aluminum to go pans stored on shelf in wait station.
Inspector observations synchronized from DBPR on August 17, 2026 7:49 AM.
Violation category totals
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
3 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
4 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
Inspection records and inspector observations reflect conditions documented by DBPR at the time of the inspection and may not reflect current conditions.