El Cerrito Mexican Restaurant and Grill
Last inspected: Mar 18, 2026
43
Score
El Cerrito Mexican Restaurant and Grill appears in inspection records 11 times, starting in 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Mar 18, 2026. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around three violations to closer to six violations.
Across the inspection history, “manager or person in charge lacking proof” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.
Compared to other New Port Richey restaurants (averaging 78), there's room to close the gap. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.
11
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
10
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 18, 2026
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 10 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. 1 dead insect, by the door of the bathroom in the kitchen area. The operator swept up the dead insect and sanitized the area. **Corrected On-Site**
35A-09-4
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Provided the operator with the DBPR HR form 5030-204. The operator posted. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. 1 bottle not labeled by the dishwashing area. The operator labeled the bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Garlic, chili powder, black pepper bottles not covered. The operator covered the bottles. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Accumulation of black mold-like substance in the interior of the ice bin in the kitchen.
22-20-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. 1 ceiling tile damage in the kitchen area above the walk in cooler.
36-32-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container in ice machine/ice bin. The ice bin in the kitchen had a employee beverage in it. The operator removed the beverage. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-14-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. The exit door in the kitchen area.
35B-01-4
Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system.
14-42-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided the operator with the DBPR HR form 5030-105. The operator posted. **Corrected On-Site**
51-13-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available.
51-18-6
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. In the women's bathroom. Provided the operator with a handwashing sign. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
43
Mar 17, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
55
Nov 14, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
78
Nov 12, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Roach excrement and/or droppings present. By prep table next to walk in cooler on pvc pipe. Operator began to clean. **Corrective Action Taken**
35A-23-4
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 1 live roach on sticky trap by prep table, operator removed trap 1 live roach on pvc pipe behind ice machine in kitchen **Corrective Action Taken**
35A-05-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In single door cooler on cook line, raw chicken over sliced onions, chicken moved to bottom shelf **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 3 small flies in bar 1 small fly in kitchen **Repeat Violation**
35A-02-6
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. Armando G. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
53A-02-7
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. 1 dead roach on floor by reach in cooler on cook line 1 dead roach on floor between cooler in bar
35A-03-4
47
Apr 10, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
90
Apr 8, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. Food manager expired, no other food manager for establishment. Armando Quiroz Garcia **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-06: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-08: **Admin Complaint**
53A-02-7
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Records/documents for required employee training appear to be falsified. Names and dates have been crossed out and written over on 2 certificates **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-06: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-08: **Admin Complaint**
53B-11-4
82
Feb 6, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. Food manager expired, no other food manager for establishment. Armando Quiroz Garcia **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-06: **Time Extended**
53A-02-7
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Records/documents for required employee training appear to be falsified. Names and dates have been crossed out and written over on 2 certificates **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-06: **Time Extended**
53B-11-4
82
Feb 5, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw pork over salad dressings and unwashed produce , operator moved to bottom of cooler **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. 2 live roaches in pvc pipe by hand wash sink in kitchen 1 live roach in vent of 3 door cooler on cook line 1 live on door of single door reach in cooler on cook line 1 live on wall by back door 6 live in back of reach in coolers on cook line **Warning**
35A-05-4
High Priority - Roach excrement and/or droppings present. Around outlet on end of cook line by water heater **Warning**
35A-23-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 small fly on cook line 2 small fly in back storage room **Warning**
35A-02-6
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. Food manager expired, no other food manager for establishment. Armando Quiroz Garcia **Warning**
53A-02-7
Intermediate - Records/documents for required employee training appear to be falsified. Names and dates have been crossed out and written over on 2 certificates **Warning**
53B-11-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. **Warning**
22-08-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. 7 dead roaches in back of cooler **Warning**
35A-03-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water in bottom of single door cooler on cook line
29-49-6
39
Aug 17, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
50
Mar 14, 2023
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Black beans, four 6.88 lbs tomatillos, two 6 lb
01B-01-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 fly in kitchen **Repeat Violation**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw chicken over beef in walk in cooler , moved to bottom **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. milk (46F - Cold Holding)
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Milk in keg cooler in bar, unknown when last temperature was taken 46F
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Cilantro in hand wash sink in prep area, discussed with manager on duty
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Basic - Damaged/spoiled/recalled food not properly segregated. Black beans, four 6.88 lbs tomatillos, two 6 lb
08B-20-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Gave poster to operator **Corrective Action Taken**
51-13-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bucket of ground beef and pot of chicken on floor, moved to walk in cooler and prep
08B-38-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine in kitchen, on white guard **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
32
Aug 30, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
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. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-30: **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-30: **Time Extended**
14-17-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Walk in cooler shelves soiled **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-30: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. In kitchen **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-30: **Time Extended**
36-17-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-30: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Cerrito Mexican Restaurant and Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Cerrito Mexican Restaurant and Grill on file is from Mar 18, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Cerrito Mexican Restaurant and Grill?
Across the inspection record, “manager or person in charge lacking proof” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at El Cerrito Mexican Restaurant and Grill.
How does El Cerrito Mexican Restaurant and Grill compare to other restaurants in New Port Richey?
El Cerrito Mexican Restaurant and Grill most recently scored 43 out of 100, which is lower than the New Port Richey average of 78.
Has El Cerrito Mexican Restaurant and Grill's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at El Cerrito Mexican Restaurant and Grill have averaged around six violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at El Cerrito Mexican Restaurant and Grill 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 Cerrito Mexican Restaurant and Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Cerrito Mexican Restaurant and Grill is inspected around three times per year on average.
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