Inspection Report

Florida DBPR Inspection Report
Completed

EL PATRON MEXICAN GRILL & CANTINA

1170 APALACHEE PARKWAY · TALLAHASSEE · Leon County · FL 32301

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Inspection Summary

Inspection dateMarch 21, 2024
Inspection typeComplaint Full
Inspection classFood
DBPR dispositionInspection Completed – No Further Action
Resultmet_inspection_standards
Inspection number3422167
Visit number1
Inspection Visit ID8636909
DBPR license4703411

Violation Summary

Counts reported for this inspection visit.

Full inspector observations available
3 High Priority5 Intermediate20 Basic0 Critical0 Non-Critical28 Total
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All DBPR Inspector Observations

28 full violation description(s) documented by the inspector during this visit.

High Priority 3

#21High Priority12A-05-4

High Priority – Employee used tobacco, ate, or drank then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee touch personal drink and then touch clean plates.

#22High Priority08A-20-5

High Priority – Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken tenders stored on top of raw beef in walk in cooler.

#23High Priority03A-02-5

High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed salsa 57F placed 30 minutes ago, placed in walk in cooler to drop temperature. **Corrective Action Taken**

Corrective Action Taken

Intermediate 5

#24Intermediate11-27-4

Intermediate – Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Emailed operator.

#25Intermediate53A-02-7

Intermediate – Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. Violation from 1/5/24. On time extension scheduled for 4/20/24.

#26Intermediate16-37-1

Intermediate – No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chemical test kit for sanitizer strength in three compartment sink.

#27Intermediate31B-02-4

Intermediate – No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at hand washing sink in bar area.

#28Intermediate31B-03-4

Intermediate – No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap or hand washing sign at handwashing sink in bar area.

Basic 20

#1Basic14-22-4

Basic – Can opener blade not kept sharp – observed metal shavings.

#2Basic36-34-5

Basic – Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling tile and AC vents soiled with grease and dust throughout kitchen.

#3Basic24-05-4

Basic – Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed clean plates not stored inverted.

#4Basic06-09-1

Basic – Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed tilapia in ROP thawed in walk in cooler.

#5Basic36-03-4

Basic – Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Observed cove molding missing throughout kitchen.

#6Basic32-12-5

Basic – Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.

#7Basic14-09-4

Basic – Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.

#8Basic12B-02-4

Basic – Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed employees eating and drinking in food prep area.

#9Basic13-03-4

Basic – Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employees preparing food no hair restraint.

#10Basic24-08-4

Basic – Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried – wet nesting. Observed pans wet nesting near three compartment sink.

#11Basic14-11-5

Basic – Equipment in poor repair. Observed freezer at 34F, manager called repair company to come out and inspect also ice machine in rear of kitchen leaking.

#12Basic35B-01-4

Basic – Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed gap beneath exit door.

#13Basic08B-38-4

Basic – Food stored on floor. Observed chicken stored on floor in walk in freezer.

#14Basic14-69-4

Basic – Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup up in reach in cooler, rear of kitchen.

#15Basic10-12-5

Basic – In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Observed ice scoop stored in dirty container.

#16Basic10-04-5

Basic – In-use utensil for non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored in a clean, protected location. Observed tongs stored on top of steak in cooks area expo cooler.

#17Basic10-02-4

Basic – In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Observed tongs stored on fire suppression system.

#18Basic36-62-4

Basic – Light not functioning. Observed light burned out in walk in freezer and near three compartment sink.

#19Basic23-03-4

Basic – Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed outside of ice machine with mold like substance and calcium near walk in coolers. Also observed seals on walk in cooler door with mold like substance and or dirt.

#20Basic36-27-5

Basic – Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed walls soiled with grease and food throughout kitchen.

Inspector observations synchronized from DBPR on October 8, 2026 3:21 PM.

Violation category totals
Category 3 · Time/temperature control for safety food
1 observation(s)
Category 6 · Proper thawing of TCS food
1 observation(s)
Category 8 · Food protection and cross-contamination
2 observation(s)
Category 10 · In-use food dispensing utensils
3 observation(s)
Category 11 · Employee health knowledge / ill employees
1 observation(s)
Category 12 · Handwashing and hygienic practices
2 observation(s)
Category 13 · Clothing, hair restraints, jewelry and fingernails
1 observation(s)
Category 14 · Food-contact and nonfood-contact surface design/maintenance
4 observation(s)
Category 16 · Dishwashing facilities, test kits and gauges
1 observation(s)
Category 23 · Non-food-contact surfaces clean
1 observation(s)
Category 24 · Storage/handling of clean equipment and utensils
2 observation(s)
Category 31 · Handwash sinks, supplies and signage
2 observation(s)
Category 32 · Bathrooms
1 observation(s)
Category 35 · Pest control / insects / rodents / animals / outer openings
1 observation(s)
Category 36 · Floors, walls, ceilings, attached equipment and ventilation
4 observation(s)
Category 53 · Food manager certification / employee training verification
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.