El Jacalito Restaurant Castro

16735 Us Hwy 331 Unit 4, Freeport, FL 32439

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Feb 3, 2026

Score

Medium Risk

Going back to 2022, El Jacalito Restaurant Castro has 10 inspections in the public record. Inspectors last stopped by on Feb 3, 2026. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.

Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near three violations per visit.

“Ceiling not smooth” comes up most often, recorded two times in the inspection record.

Compared to other Freeport restaurants (averaging 91), there's room to close the gap. The record is unremarkable in either direction.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Feb 3, 2026

Routine - Food

9 minor violations.

View 9 violations

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drinks stored on food contact surface next to mixer.

12B-07-4

Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Open yogurt with spoon stored in upright freezer next to food served to the public.

08B-49-4

Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Cell phone stored on food contact surface next to mixer.

40-06-5

Basic - Frozen time/temperature control for safety food being slacked at room temperature is no longer frozen solid. Items being thawed in 3 compartment sink partially in standing water or at room temp. Thawing- beef chuck 63F, pork 69F, beef 39F (2:45-3:15).

06-06-5

Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in multiple cold holding units.

05-09-4

Basic - Open dumpster lid at shared dumpster.

33-16-4

Basic - Soiled dry wiping cloth in use on food contact surface near pork being prepped.

21-10-4

Basic - Twenty (20) foot-candles of light not provided at hot hold food buffet at front counter.

38-09-4

Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Multiple bags of food cooked and stored in upright coolers/ Freezers not labeled.

02D-01-5

Nov 24, 2025

Routine - Food

No violations found.

100

Sep 22, 2025

Routine - Food

1 major violation.

View 1 violation

Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. All expired 01/2025 03/2025 **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-22: Observed no proof of any employee training certificates at time of inspection. Observed 5 employees in kitchen working. **Time Extended**

53B-05-5

Jul 23, 2025

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. All expired 01/2025 03/2025 **Warning**

53B-05-5

Basic - Utility lines are unnecessarily exposed. Observed AC utility line/box hanging from ceiling/hole around device leading to attic.

36-04-5

Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed several acoustic/not smooth easily cleanable ceiling tile above food prep areas in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**

36-37-5

Jan 14, 2025

Routine - Food

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed acoustic ceiling tile mixed with smooth easily cleanable ceiling tile in kitchen and above steam table.

36-37-5

Jul 2, 2024

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Employee Health Policies Present

FL-03

Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use

FL-06

Hands Clean and Properly Washed

FL-08

Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels

FL-14

Approved Thawing Methods Used

FL-31

Jan 23, 2024

Routine - Food

1 critical violation.

View 1 violation

High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food, cooked rice in upright cooler. **Repeat Violation**

14-31-5

Jul 21, 2023

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food, cooked rice in upright cooler.

14-31-5

Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice.

10-08-5

Dec 15, 2022

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing as evidenced by presence of large food particles inside hand wash sink located beside triple sink.

31A-11-4

Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.

10-20-4

Sep 8, 2022

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Operator placed soap at hand sink. **Corrected On-Site**

31B-03-4

Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed beef thawing in still water.

06-01-5

Show all 10 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Jacalito Restaurant Castro last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at El Jacalito Restaurant Castro on file is from Feb 3, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at El Jacalito Restaurant Castro?

Across the inspection record, “ceiling not smooth” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at El Jacalito Restaurant Castro.

How does El Jacalito Restaurant Castro compare to other restaurants in Freeport?

El Jacalito Restaurant Castro most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Freeport average of 91.

Has El Jacalito Restaurant Castro's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Jacalito Restaurant Castro have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at El Jacalito Restaurant Castro 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 El Jacalito Restaurant Castro inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, El Jacalito Restaurant Castro is inspected around three times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

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Score: 100 — Low Risk

La Perla Snack Bar

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Beach House Catering

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Score: 100 — Low Risk

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→ All locations in Freeport → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Florida → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Freeport