EL TORITO
4938 US HWY 17 N · BOWLING GREEN · Hardee County · FL 33834
Inspection Summary
Emergency Closure Summary
Violation Summary
Counts reported for this inspection visit.
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All DBPR Inspector Observations
9 full violation description(s) documented by the inspector during this visit.
High Priority 3
03A-15-4High Priority – All potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) foods in reach-in cooler cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed raw beef 51°F, cut tomatoes 49°F and raw shrimp 46°F; ambient temperature 58°F. Immediate corrective action taken by cooking raw beef and raw chicken; adding additional ice to shrimp and remaining time temperature controlled for safety foods. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
22-42-4High Priority – Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed employee at three compartment sink using only one compartment with soap and water; corrective action taken by reviewing proper setup for manual dishwashing. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03B-02-4High Priority – Cooked meats or poultry hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit or above. Observed beef 119°F, chicken 120°F and rice 126°F holding on prep table during lunch service. Immediate corrective action taken by reheating items to minimum of 165°F and resuming hot holding process on side of flat grill. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Intermediate 2
53A-10-4Intermediate – Certified food manager unable to answer basic Food Code questions pertaining to safe operation of establishment. Observed food manager not aware of food temperatures for cooking, hot holding and cold holding. Reviewed temperatures and sent DBPR 5030-063. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
04-02-4Intermediate – Inadequate number/capacity of cold holding units to maintain potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food at proper temperatures. Observed one refrigerator cold holding ambient 58°F and no other refrigerator available, 1 freezer available for foods that can be held frozen. **Warning**
Basic 4
21-05-4Basic – Cloth used as a food-contact surface. Observed cloth towel used as liner holding ready-to eat tortillas prepared onsite. **Warning**
16-13-4Basic – Equipment and utensils not washed, rinsed and sanitized in the correct order in three-compartment sink. Do not use dishes/equipment not properly sanitized. Refer to 22-42-4. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
35B-08-4Basic – Fly sticky tape hanging over food/food preparation area/food-contact equipment. Observed fly strip hanging in kitchen at food prep line. **Warning**
06-04-4Basic – Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food thawed at room temperature. Observed 10 pound tube of ground beef thawing at room temperature at three compartment sink. Operator transferred ground beef to reach-in cooler with ice bed. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
Inspector observations synchronized from DBPR on August 11, 2026 2:34 AM.
Violation category totals
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 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.