El Charro Mexican Restaurant
Last inspected: Nov 13, 2025
39
Score
Across the available record, El Charro Mexican Restaurant has eight inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Nov 13, 2025. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record.
Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around nine violations per visit lately, up from roughly five violations before.
“Stored food not covered” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
El Charro Mexican Restaurant's latest score of 39 falls below the Arcadia average of 77. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
4
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 13, 2025
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
39
Jun 9, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee handling test strips changed gloves with no hand wash to work on food prep, educated employee on the importance of washing hands, employee washed hands. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Test kit for measuring the concentration of the sanitizing solution not used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions or employee unaware of proper use Observed operator testing the sanitizer with quaternary test strips and not chlorine test strips, educated on how to use both test strips. **Corrected On-Site**
16-43-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap coming from the dispenser in the employees bathroom, employee changed out. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed a bowl in the container of flour, operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling tile near the walk in cooler with water damage.
36-32-5
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employee with bracelets and rings on while prepping food.
13-07-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed gaskets on the reach in cooler on the cook line and the gaskets on two of the walk in coolers torn.
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed bottled water on the floor next to the walk in cooler towards back of kitchen.
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on the walk in freezer are soiled with dirt.
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid.
33-16-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed shrimp, sliced onions and sliced peppers in containers not covered correctly in the reach in cooler on the cook line.
08B-12-5
47
Feb 11, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed an employee container of scented hand sanitizer stored over clean dishes in the ware washing area. Operator disposed of it. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw eggs over ready to eat products in the kitchen reach in cooler and the walk in cooler. Operator moved the ready to eat products. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed on the buffet line: Pinco de galo (50F - Cold Holding); Prepped cabbage (48F - Cold Holding). Operator stated they have been out for approximately 2hrs. Operator placed them lower in the machine with ice. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no test kit for their chlorine triple sink.
16-37-1
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Observed a wet wiping cloth stored under a cutting board. Operator removed the cloth. **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed multiple employee drinks stored inside the cook line coolers.
12B-13-4
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Observed both walk in coolers fan covers with dust build up.
36-50-4
50
Feb 27, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 7 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed first aid kit stored over gas of beans in dry storage area. Operator removed **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
Basic - Dumpster overflowing garbage. Observed overfilled dumpster with lid open, unable to close lid due to garbage if tried.
33-14-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee purses stored over bags of beans in dry storage area. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Food-contact surface not smooth and easily cleanable.Observed tortillas stored on cloth covered surface in kitchen. Cloth may not be used as a food contact surface. Manager had employee put food on plate. **Corrected On-Site**
14-13-4
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 with handle in food on dry storage bulk rice container. Employee corrected. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - Old food stuck to clean dishware/utensils. Operator sent items back through dishwash. **Corrected On-Site**
16-48-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. **Repeat Violation**
16-46-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed bulk rice bin at dry storage with lid open. Employee covered. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
61
Nov 1, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Sep 1, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed foods on buffet house pico (51F - Cold Holding); stewed carrot (50F - Cold Holding); house green salsa (47F - Cold Holding); house red salsa (49F - Cold Holding); slaw (50F - Cold Holding) Operator must discard foods by 1200 noon if not sold. Operator will use time as a public health control. Form given via email. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **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. Observed foods held in containers beside and over steam table but not in steamtable well and holding at room temperature. Foods were put on grill top to quickly reheat to 165 F and then to hot hold on the grill or within the steam table wells at 135F or hotter. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observedsoap pump dispenser located in prep sink with open container of cilantro. **Warning**
41-10-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
53A-01-7
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**
53B-01-5
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. Form Handout provided via email. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
11-26-1
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. Handout provided via email. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
11-27-4
Basic - Uncovered food stored near sink exposed to splash. Observed handwash towel dispenser mounted over on use prep sink with cilantro on sink and subject to drip age from hands while collecting paper towel for drying hands. Hand towel dispenser should be moved to another location. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08B-54-4
41
Nov 28, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-14-5
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. **Repeat Violation**
16-46-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed microwaves with food debris on exterior .
23-24-4
Basic - Clean equipment/utensils not stored at least 6 inches above the floor. Observed pots stored on floor at back prep area.
24-26-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed grooved and stained cutting boards at prep coolers.
14-09-4
Basic - Label on a food item prepared and packaged onsite for customer self-service does not include product identity/description, date product was packaged and name and address of the establishment that prepared and packaged the food. Observed cookies and pastries repackaged onsite for consumer sale with no labeling.
02D-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed pan of tamales with lid not on in freezer. Manager re-lidded..
08B-12-5
67
Aug 30, 2022
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Found at 0ppm. Corrected to 50ppm
22-42-4
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale.Hunts 6 Tomato paste cans with heavy denting in dry storage not segregated from useable cans. manager segregated items for return. **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-01-4
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken and beef over raw pork and shrimp in reachin upright cooler at cookline. manager rearranged cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Foods on buffet found above 41Fpico (47F - Cold Holding); slaw (48F - Cold Holding); green sauce (47F - Cold Holding); red sauce (47F - Cold Holding); chili sauce (46F - Cold Holding); stewed carrots (48F - Cold Holding); flan (39F - Cold Holding) all will be discarded if not served by 200pm. Operator will use ice on the cold table to facilitate cooling of product. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-14-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed whole lime stored in handsink beside prep atea. Manager removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed clean dishes on open wire rack shelf not inverted and no overhead protection. **Repeat Violation**
24-05-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container.scoops buried in dried beans and rice bulk containers at dry storage . Manager replaced properly. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - Old food stuck to clean dishware/utensils. **Repeat Violation**
16-48-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. **Repeat Violation**
16-46-4
35
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Charro Mexican Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Charro Mexican Restaurant on file is from Nov 13, 2025. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Charro Mexican Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “stored food not covered” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at El Charro Mexican Restaurant.
How does El Charro Mexican Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Arcadia?
El Charro Mexican Restaurant most recently scored 39 out of 100, which is lower than the Arcadia average of 77.
Has El Charro Mexican Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at El Charro Mexican Restaurant have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at El Charro Mexican Restaurant 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 Charro Mexican Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Charro Mexican Restaurant is inspected around two times per year on average.
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