Baja Taco
Last inspected: Mar 31, 2026
64
Score
Public records show 12 inspections at Baja Taco stretching back to 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 31, 2026. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around five violations lately and about 11 violations before that.
“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
The city-wide average sits at 82, which Baja Taco's 64 doesn't quite reach. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
12
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 31, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
64
Jul 23, 2025
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Bathroom located outside establishment not enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors or constructed to have entrances and exits that ensure the privacy of occupants. Bath room door not self closing. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-23: **Time Extended**
32-22-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Grease receptacle/dumpster not on proper pad/nonabsorbent surface. Grease receptacle on grass behind establishment. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-23: **Time Extended**
33-23-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in cooler shelves soiled. - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-23: **Time Extended**
22-16-4
86
Jul 16, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found 2 live insects in kitchen area.
35A-02-7
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. In reach in cooler overnight raw steak (48F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (47F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (47F - Cold Holding)
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach in cooler raw steak (48F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (47F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (47F - Cold Holding) **Warning**
03A-02-5
Basic - Bathroom located outside establishment not enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors or constructed to have entrances and exits that ensure the privacy of occupants. Bath room door not self closing. **Repeat Violation**
32-22-4
Basic - Grease receptacle/dumpster not on proper pad/nonabsorbent surface. Grease receptacle on grass behind establishment. **Repeat Violation**
33-23-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in cooler shelves soiled.
22-16-4
55
Jan 24, 2025
Routine - Food
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Basic - Bathroom door left open other than during cleaning or maintenance. Observed outside door to bathroom open.
32-02-4
Basic - Bathroom located outside establishment not enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors or constructed to have entrances and exits that ensure the privacy of occupants. Observed door to outside bathroom not self closing. **Repeat Violation**
32-22-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed multiple handles on reach in coolers with debris.
23-24-4
Basic - Grease receptacle/dumpster not on proper pad/nonabsorbent surface. Observed grease receptacle on ground behind establishment. **Repeat Violation**
33-23-4
Basic - Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Observed self closure to door not connected. **Repeat Violation**
35B-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed food trays and cups on floor in storage area in back of building. Operator moved items off of floor. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
74
Jul 8, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 3, 2024
Routine - Food
9 critical violations. 3 major violations. 15 minor violations.
View 27 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In reach in freezer raw beef stored over non commercially packaged mussels that are fully cooked.
08A-02-6
High Priority - Squid, octopus, conch, eel, crab, shrimp, crawfish, lobster or other non-finfish offered raw or undercooked have not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. Establishment serves shrimp in ceviche raw with no heat. Person in charge not able to provide paperwork for parasite destruction. Inspector spoke to supplier received letter during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
01D-05-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. In flip top observed jalapeños, fries, cream at 65-68F. In small black reach in cooler sour cream 45F. Person in charge states fries, jalapeños and sour cream in unit over night. See stop sale. Flip top is at 62 ambient, black reach in cooler at 45 ambient. Person in charge purchased ice to ice down items in flip top.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In flip top observed jalapeños, fries, cream at 65-68F. In small black reach in cooler sour cream 45F. Person in charge states fries, jalapeños and sour cream in unit over night. See stop sale. Flip top is at 62 ambient, black reach in cooler at 45 ambient. Person in charge purchased ice to ice down items in flip top. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed spray bottles hanging on shelf in kitchen facing towards clean pans. Person in charge removed, **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed employee cutting onions to be used as garnish for tacos with bare hands. Employee put on gloves. **Corrective Action Taken**
09-01-4
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed employee washing dishes at triple sink without sanitizing dishes.
22-45-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 5 flying insects in kitchen during inspection. **Warning**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Rice in steam well stored in direct contact with to go bag. Also, chili peppers stored in direct contact with non food container in storage shed.
14-31-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Queso made 2 days ago per person in charge with no date.
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Cut tomatoes in flip top cooling for one hour at 68F retemped one hour later at 71F. Also, shredded cheese, retemp (65; 69F - Cooling); cheese retemp (69, 64F - Cooling). All retemp taken 1 hour later. Person in charge added ice to items. **Corrective Action Taken**
03D-15-4
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Establishment serves ceviche raw no disclosure present on menu. **Warning**
02B-01-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup in reach in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Observed employee with in use cutting board with wet wiping cloth underneath.
21-04-4
Basic - Grease receptacle/dumpster not on proper pad/nonabsorbent surface. Grease receptacle on ground.
33-23-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed cases of food on floor in storage shed.
08B-38-4
Basic - Bathroom located outside establishment not enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors or constructed to have entrances and exits that ensure the privacy of occupants. Restroom door not self closing.
32-22-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling in kitchen with pealing paint. Also, vent in kitchen with grease buildup. Also, hole in wall observed under triple sink.
36-32-5
Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Flip top at 62 ambient during inspection. Also, observed water dripping into bucket under unit.
14-74-7
Basic - Drain cover(s) missing. Observed external pipe missing cover behind restaurant.
29-18-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed debris buildup on gaskets on reach in freezer and exterior where lid meets unit. Also, observed grease buildup on hood filters.
23-03-4
Basic - Old food stuck to clean dishware/utensils. Observed multiple clean dishware with old food debris.
16-48-4
Basic - Outer openings not protected during operation and vermin and/or environmental cross contamination present. Observed door to kitchen and service window open during inspection. Flying insects present.
35B-05-4
Basic - Outer openings not protected with self-closing doors. Self closer disconnect at front door.
35B-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Disposable chaffing pans on top shelf over cook line were not inverted.
25-06-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed cooked taco shells stored in fryer basket on wall by cook line with no cover.
08B-12-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed tripe thawing in sink not submerged.
06-01-5
9
Dec 8, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
50
Aug 17, 2023
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Aug 15, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 9 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
37
Mar 8, 2023
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Missing in restroom. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2023-03-08: No change. **Time Extended**
31B-04-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Outer openings of establishment cannot be properly sealed when not in operation. Front service window remains open. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2023-03-08: Still no change. **Time Extended**
35B-04-4
90
Mar 2, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Crabs Over French fries in reach in freezer. Person in charge moved crabs to store properly. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Tomatoes 51F, lettuce 48F, cheese 51F; ( - Cold Holding). Per operator they are ambient cooling. Took temperature at beginning and the were 51°. 2nd temperature an. You're later was still 51F. Items in cooler 2 hours. **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Menu does not identify which food is raw. Ceviche contains raw shrimp. Person in charge placed stickers on menu during inspection to indicate it is raw. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02B-01-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave has food debris inside.
22-08-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Missing in restroom. **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
Basic - Outer openings of establishment cannot be properly sealed when not in operation. Front service window remains open. **Repeat Violation**
35B-04-4
58
Dec 22, 2022
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Baja Taco last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Baja Taco on file is from Mar 31, 2026. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Baja Taco?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Baja Taco.
How does Baja Taco compare to other restaurants in Crescent City?
Baja Taco most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Crescent City average of 82.
Has Baja Taco's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Baja Taco have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly 11 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Baja Taco means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Baja Taco inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Baja Taco is inspected around four times per year on average.
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