EL MEZCAL MEXICAN RESTAURANT
4522 S SUNCOAST BLVD · HOMOSASSA · Citrus County · FL 34446
Inspection Summary
Violation Summary
Counts reported for this inspection visit.
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All DBPR Inspector Observations
19 full violation description(s) documented by the inspector during this visit.
High Priority 5
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. -Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm)
12A-10-4High Priority – Employee touched bare body part and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. -Cookline employee with gloved hands scratched eye corner and continued food preparation without removing gloves washing hand and regloving.
14-31-5High Priority – Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. -Reach in freezer next to ice machine; cooked octopus stored in plastic to go thank you bag.
08A-04-5High Priority – Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. -Walk in cooler; case of raw shell eggs stored over case of unwashed uncut green bell peppers.
03B-01-6High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. -cooked rice (120F – Hot Holding); cooked beef (88F – Hot Holding) held in unit less than 4 hrs operator reheated. **Corrective Action Taken**
Intermediate 7
11-07-5Intermediate – Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items.
11-05-4Intermediate – Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of reporting responsibilities for exclusions and restrictions.
53A-10-4Intermediate – Certified food manager unable to answer basic Food Code questions pertaining to safe operation of establishment.
22-02-4Intermediate – Food-contact surface soiled with mold-like substance. -Bar; 2 soda gun and holster, frozen drink machine nozzle.
31A-11-4Intermediate – Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. -Ware washing station hand washing sink used as storage for miscellaneous hardware items in plastic bag. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4Intermediate – No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. -Ware washing station handwashing sink
53B-02-5Intermediate – No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Basic 7
22-20-5Basic – Accumulation of black mold-like substance in the interior of the ice bin.
36-32-5Basic – Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. -Kitchen Prep area
06-09-1Basic – 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, at cookline bottom right reach in drawer. Reviewed the importance of commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish with operator. Operator removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4Basic – Food stored on floor. -Walk in cooler; several buckets of lettuce stored on floor. -Walk in freezer cases of frozen raw shrimp stored on floor. -Dry storage area; cases of dry chicken stock stored on floor. Cases of fruit syrup for bar area stored on floor.
14-69-4Basic – Ice buildup in reach-in freezer at bar
16-46-4Basic – Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. -Several food buckets on drying storage rack at ware washing station.
21-10-4Basic – Soiled dry wiping cloth in use at cookline operator replaced and placed in sanitizer bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
Inspector observations synchronized from DBPR on September 9, 2026 12:06 PM.
Violation category totals
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
3 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
1 observation(s)
2 observation(s)
Inspection records and inspector observations reflect conditions documented by DBPR at the time of the inspection and may not reflect current conditions.