El Canal Cafe
Last inspected: Jan 20, 2026
52
Score
Across the available record, El Canal Cafe has eight inspections on file, the first dated 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Jan 20, 2026. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around nine violations to closer to five violations per visit.
“Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food” comes up most often, recorded four times in the inspection record.
By comparison, the average Medley facility scores 81, putting El Canal Cafe on the weaker side. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
8
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 20, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed raw fish stored in thank you bag in kitchen.
14-31-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw beef over onions inside Walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
08A-04-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed utensils inside HWS in kitchen. Operator removed utensils. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Observed at Women's restroom.
32-04-4
Basic - Clean equipment/utensils not stored at least 6 inches above the floor. Observed clean cutting board stored on kitchen floor. Operator removed cutting board from floor. **Corrected On-Site**
24-26-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tong stored on oven handle in kitchen. Operator removed tong from handle. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed salmon thawing in standing water inside kitchen.
06-01-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet towels throughout kitchen.
21-12-4
52
Sep 4, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw beef over green peppers box inside Walk in cooler. Operator stored products as per safety procedures. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw chicken over raw beef inside reach in freezer. Operator stored meats as per safety procedures. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-17-6
Intermediate - Certified food manager unable to answer basic Food Code questions pertaining to safe operation of establishment. Observed Operator unable to answer how to calibrate probe thermometer. Operator was trained on how to calibrate probe thermometer. **Corrected On-Site**
53A-10-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed salt container unlabeled in kitchen. Operator labeled container. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed black beans container uncovered inside Walk in cooler. Operator covered container. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
61
Feb 13, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
58
Sep 4, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed hot water shut off at employee handwash sink inside Men's restroom. Operator turned on hot water. **Corrected On-Site**
27-16-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed inside women's restroom. Operator provided paper towel. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
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 salmon bags inside Walk in cooler. Operator cut bags. **Corrected On-Site**
06-09-1
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed microwave opening button broken.
14-11-5
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed by dry storage. Operator stored scoop correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed scoop handle touching salt inside container. Operator stored scoop correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Observed missing shield over steam table inside kitchen.
38-07-4
Basic - Missing drain plug at dumpster.
33-11-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet towels inside kitchen and front counter. Operator stored towels inside bucket with sanitizer. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed oil and vinegar squeeze bottles unlabeled inside kitchen. Operator labeled bottles. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
55
Mar 25, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
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
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
39
Sep 14, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed pumpkin stored inside thank you bag in reach in freezer inside kitchen. Operator removed pumpkin from bag. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-31-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed inside Women's restroom. Operator provided it. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed wall behind reach in freezer by kitchen entrance.
36-27-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed raw shell eggs box stored on Walk in cooler floor. Operator removed box from floor. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed inside reach in freezer in back kitchen.
14-69-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tong stored on oven handle inside kitchen. Operator removed tong. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed spoon in standing water at 80°F by coffee machine at front counter. Operator removed water. **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed spry bottle with water and cinnamon not labeled at front counter. Operator labeled it. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
58
Feb 7, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed raw chicken stored inside thank you bags in reach in freezer inside dry storage. **Repeat Violation**
14-31-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed container stored inside hand wash sink in kitchen. Operator removed it. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed plastic bottles of water stored on front counter floor. Operator removed them from floor. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tong stored on oven handle inside kitchen. Operator removed it. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed clean spoons faces up at front counter. Operator stored them faces down. **Corrected On-Site**
24-05-4
67
Jul 21, 2022
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Food/ice received from unapproved source/no invoice provided to verify source. See Stop Sale. Observed Flans inside reach in cooler at front counter without a proper invoice.
01A-05-4
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed white rice stored inside thank you bags inside steam table. **Repeat Violation**
14-31-5
High Priority - Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Observed more than a dozen raw shell eggs on prep table inside kitchen. Employee removed them to reach in cooler. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
03A-03-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food originating from an unapproved source. Food/ice received from unapproved source/no invoice provided to verify source. Observed Flans inside reach in cooler at front counter without a proper invoice.
01B-04-5
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no Chlorine Test Kit.
16-37-1
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle with Windex not labeled at front counter. Employee labeled it. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer. Observed small white reach in freezer in back kitchen.
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled Walk in cooler fan cover.
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed pork container not covered inside Walk in cooler. Employee covered container. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed pork ribs thawing at room temperature inside kitchen. Employee put ribs under running water. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
06-01-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Operator stored mop correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
42-01-4
35
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Canal Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Canal Cafe on file is from Jan 20, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Canal Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at El Canal Cafe.
How does El Canal Cafe compare to other restaurants in Medley?
El Canal Cafe most recently scored 52 out of 100, which is lower than the Medley average of 81.
Has El Canal Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at El Canal Cafe have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly nine earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at El Canal Cafe means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is El Canal Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Canal Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.
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