Inspection Report

Emergency Closure InspectionDBPR disposition: Emergency order recommended
Florida DBPR Inspection Report

GARCIA'S TACO EXPRESS INC

1448 US HWY 17 N · WAUCHULA · Hardee County · FL 33873

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Inspection Summary

Inspection dateAugust 28, 2024
Inspection typeRoutine – Food
Inspection classFood
DBPR dispositionEmergency order recommended
Resultfacility_temporarily_closed
Inspection number3462574
Visit number1
Inspection Visit ID8773571
DBPR license3500221

Emergency Closure Summary

ClosedAugust 28, 2024 12:41 PM
StatusReopened after callback/compliance
ReopenedAugust 29, 2024 9:18 AM
Record basisDBPR weekly closure extract
Closure conditionRoach & rodent activity

Violation Summary

Counts reported for this inspection visit.

Full inspector observations available
5 High Priority2 Intermediate6 Basic0 Critical0 Non-Critical13 Total

All DBPR Inspector Observations

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

High Priority 5

#7High Priority01A-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**

Admin ComplaintStop Sale
#8High Priority08A-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**

Corrected On-SiteWarning
#9High Priority35A-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**

Warning
#10High Priority35A-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**

Warning
#11High Priority01B-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**

Admin ComplaintStop Sale

Intermediate 2

#12Intermediate22-02-4

Intermediate – Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled. **Warning**

Warning
#13Intermediate27-19-4

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**

Warning

Basic 6

#1Basic36-36-4

Basic – Ceiling tile missing. 5 ceiling tiles missing in the back storage area. **Warning**

Warning
#2Basic35A-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**

Warning
#3Basic12B-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**

Corrected On-SiteWarning
#4Basic36-73-4

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**

Warning
#5Basic36-24-5

Basic – Hole in or other damage to wall. 2×3 foot hole in the wall in the dry storage area. **Warning**

Warning
#6Basic23-03-4

Basic – Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled. **Warning**

Warning

Inspector observations synchronized from DBPR on August 10, 2026 3:03 AM.

Violation category totals
Category 1 · Approved food source
2 observation(s)
Category 8 · Food protection and cross-contamination
1 observation(s)
Category 12 · Handwashing and hygienic practices
1 observation(s)
Category 22 · Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
1 observation(s)
Category 23 · Non-food-contact surfaces clean
1 observation(s)
Category 27 · Safe water source and hot/cold water under pressure
1 observation(s)
Category 35 · Pest control / insects / rodents / animals / outer openings
3 observation(s)
Category 36 · Floors, walls, ceilings, attached equipment and ventilation
3 observation(s)

Inspection records and inspector observations reflect conditions documented by DBPR at the time of the inspection and may not reflect current conditions.