El Cabo Restaurant
Last inspected: Apr 16, 2026
64
Score
El Cabo Restaurant, located at 620 Commerce Center Dr Unit 1 in Jacksonville, FL, had a moderate risk inspection on April 16, 2026, with a score of 64. This inspection resulted in two critical and three minor violations, including issues with the cooling of cooked chicken and the use of a bowl without a handle for dispensing food. While most of its 15 inspections have been low-risk, this recent inspection noted a stop sale was issued for time/temperature control for safety food.
15
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 16, 2026
Complaint Partial
2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. 3 Pans of shredded chicken in walk in cooler not cooled to 41f overnight (50-67) **Warning**
03D-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. 3 Pans of shredded chicken in walk in cooler not cooled to 41f overnight **Warning**
01B-02-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl In sugar, bowl removed **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
14-01-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Stored on oven door, manager moved **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-20-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Large containers of white substance. salt, sugar and flour. Manager labeled **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
02D-01-5
64
Jan 30, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Old labels on cooked meat in glass coolers dated 1-11. Employees restocking from pan in cooler.
02C-01-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. 2 clear unlabeled spray bottles one with blue substance one with clear substance
41-17-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs Stored on oven doors,moved **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Whole beef thawing in standing water at sink, placed in walk in cooler **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
70
Sep 30, 2025
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets soiled on 2 door flip top cooler **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-30: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
95
Sep 29, 2025
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Cooked beef in walk in cooler from previous night 43-47f **Warning**
03D-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. 4 mahi fish in sealed vacuum pack sealed **Warning**
01B-13-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cooked beef in walk in cooler from previous night 43-47f **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut lettuce 50f in flip top cooler **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Queso 124f enchilada sauce 117f burrito sauce 118f parmesan cream sauce118 poblano peppers116f **Warning**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked pork in glass cooler made 2 days ago no date marking **Warning**
02C-02-5
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. 4 mahi fish in sealed vacuum pack sealed **Warning**
06-09-1
Basic - Employee drinking in a food preparation or other restricted area. Lady employee in kitchen near Warmer drinking out of open unenclosed cup. **Warning**
12B-02-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tong stored on oven door, moved **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-20-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets soiled on 2 door flip top cooler **Warning**
23-03-4
35
Jun 5, 2025
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Cook traveled thur swinging door from up front and placed on gloves than grabbed spoon from steak table, Advised to wash hands first. Hands washed **Corrected On-Site**
12A-07-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Roasted peppers 80f on stream table on a plate, no indication of reheating. Cook stated it was removed from cooler and will be reheated to order, cook discarded **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Bar soda nozzles soiled with slimy grey/reddish residue
22-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Handsink across from flat top grill no soap, cook provided **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Personal drinks on prep table next to corn for tortillas
12B-07-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs stored on oven door handle
10-20-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fan covers on walk in cooler soiled with dust Gaskets on 2 door flip top cooler soiled with food debris
23-03-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Raw shrimp thawing under room temperature in standing water, cook placed shrimp under running cold water **Corrective Action Taken**
06-01-5
50
Jan 15, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Raw beef in freezer in thank you Togo shopping bag Tortillas stored over steam table in white thank you shopping bags.
14-31-5
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Pulled pork in walk in cooler dated 1-2-25 Cooked beef walk in cooler dated 1-1 -25
01B-24-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soda guns at bar area soiled. Upper area soiled on ice machine deflector
22-02-4
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ No manager on duty 6 employees on shift
53A-05-6
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Personal drink on top of microwave, moved
12B-07-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl in flour, removed **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
55
Sep 24, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 26, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Establishment advertised a specific fish on the menu/menu board but served another type of fish. Advertised whole Red snapper but sells Caribbean Red snapper. Menu can be changed to Whole snapper or Red Caribbean Snapper. Manager states will adjust menu **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-26: **Time Extended**
52-04-5
90
Jul 25, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cooked corn 45 cooked beef 46-50f in walk in cooler cooked from 7-22-24 **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Cooked corn 45 cooked beef 46-50f in walk in cooler cooked from 7-22-24 Cooked beef 45-50 cooked from 7-6-24 **Warning**
03D-02-5
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 fly in kitchen **Warning**
35A-02-6
Intermediate - Establishment advertised a specific fish on the menu/menu board but served another type of fish. Advertised whole Red snapper but sells Caribbean Red snapper. Menu can be changed to Whole snapper or Red Caribbean Snapper. Manager states will adjust menu **Warning**
52-04-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can operate soiled with old metal shavings. Ice machine white cover inside soiled with black residue.. **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked pork, cooked corn in walk in cooler no date marking **Warning**
02C-02-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Bagged beef and chicken thawing at room temperature In Back prep area. Items moved tho sink under running water **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
06-01-5
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Needs covered trash can in women's restroom **Warning**
32-12-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Uncovered Personal drink on top of microwave, drink moved by employee **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Container of cut lettuce stored in kitchen near warmer Container of salsa in walk in cooler floor. Items moved from floor **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-47-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs on oven door. Moved from oven door **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-20-4
37
Jun 19, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. 3 packs of raw pork @ 6 pounds (56-57F - Cold Holding); 1 pack raw beef @ 6 pounds (56-57F - Cold Holding), both commercially packaged items are not open but stored sitting on prep table since 10pm overnight as per employee and manager to thaw. Reviewed with manager on proper procedure for thawing. Stop sale issued. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-06-19: 1 pan cooked pork 47-51F (cooling), stored in walk in cooler in metal pan and prepared yesterday and cooling overnight with no additional preparation today as per employee. Stop sale issued **Admin Complaint**
01B-02-5
86
Jun 18, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw prep fish stored over cooked pork in glass reach in cooler in kitchen. Moved by manager. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands. Observed servers handling soiled dishes and then return to handle clean plates of food without washing hands. **Warning**
12A-02-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. 3 packs of raw pork @ 6 pounds (56-57F - Cold Holding); 1 pack raw beef @ 6 pounds (56-57F - Cold Holding), both commercially packaged items are not open but stored sitting on prep table since 10pm overnight as per employee and manager to thaw. Reviewed with manager on proper procedure for thawing. Stop sale issued. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. 3 packs of raw pork @ 6 pounds (56-57F - Cold Holding); 1 pack raw beef @ 6 pounds (56-57F - Cold Holding), both commercially packaged items are not open but stored sitting on prep table since 10pm overnight as per employee and manager to thaw. Reviewed with manager on proper procedure for thawing. Stop sale issued. salsa (50-51F - Cold Holding), stored in hug container at wait station on ice, place there from walk in cooler at 10 am as per manager. Manager removed excess salsa above fill line of ice area **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At bar hand wash sink. Manager provided paper towel **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Basic - Bathroom door left open other than during cleaning or maintenance. Both men and women restroom in dining area
32-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee boombox stored on shelf next to boxes of cereal in kitchen area
40-06-5
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Servers preparing food with bracelet on wrist **Repeat Violation**
13-07-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Back kitchen door with gap
35B-01-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Case of fry oil stored on floor. Moved by manager. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tong stored on oven door. Moved by manager. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Wet cloth under cutting board in prep area
21-04-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Frozen prep shrimp not covered in reach in freezer. Employee covered **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
33
Jun 10, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Person in charge unable to provide proof of any employees training hired over 60 days and operator has 9 food handler employees **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-19: Still the same **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-06-10: Still the same **Admin Complaint**
53B-01-5
90
Apr 19, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. Person in charge states they serve fish undercooked if requested but unable to show Parasite destruction letter or any invoice since manager is not present **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-19: Still the same **Time Extended**
01D-01-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Person in charge unable to provide any proof of manager certification and no other certified manager employed at this establishment. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-19: Still the same **Time Extended**
53A-01-7
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Person in charge unable to provide proof of any employees training hired over 60 days and operator has 9 food handler employees **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-19: Still the same **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Discussed and provided the Employee Health Reporting Agreement form during the inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-19: Still the same **Time Extended**
11-26-1
64
Apr 8, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
17
Apr 12, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No hand wash sign at three of the kitchen hand wash sinks. Printed signs and operator hung. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
95
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