El Mezcal Mexican Restaurant
Last inspected: Apr 15, 2026
41
Score
Public records show 10 inspections at El Mezcal Mexican Restaurant stretching back to 2023. The most recent report on file is from Apr 15, 2026. High risk indicates the latest inspection turned up problems worth knowing about.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around four violations each.
Across the inspection history, “raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.
El Mezcal Mexican Restaurant's latest score of 41 falls below the West Palm Beach average of 79. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.
10
Inspections
4
Critical latest
3
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 15, 2026
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Employee switched from working with raw food to ready-to-eat food without washing hands. Employee handled raw beef while opening package and placing into pan to be cooked then handled ready to eat cooked items while preparing customer order without washing hands. Operator discussed with employee who then washed hands. **Corrected On-Site**
12A-12-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. At reach in freezer; raw shrimp stored over opened bag of cooked shrimp. Operator moved raw below ready to eat. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. At walk-in cooler; raw shell eggs stored over ready to eat sauces. Operator moved raw shell eggs below ready to eat items. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. No tag on/for original container of raw, in-shell oysters. See stop sale.
01B-13-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at kitchen hand wash sink. Operator provided paper towels. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No tag on/for original container of raw, in-shell oysters. See stop sale.
01C-01-4
Intermediate - Establishment not maintaining oyster tags for 90 days. Advised Operator of proper shell-stock tag maintenance.
01C-02-4
41
Mar 5, 2026
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jan 20, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Menu offers oysters and fish ceviche served raw, not identified as being raw. Advised Operator to identify items as being raw. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-07: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-20: Menu offers oysters and fish ceviche served raw, not identified as being raw. Advised Operator to identify items as being raw. **Time Extended**
02B-01-5
90
Jan 7, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm). Operator primed machine, retested at 0ppm. Advised Operator to set up triple sink to manually sanitize dishes until machine repaired and sanitizing properly. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-07: **Time Extended**
22-41-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Menu offers oysters and fish ceviche served raw, not identified as being raw. Advised Operator to identify items as being raw. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-07: **Time Extended**
02B-01-5
78
Jan 6, 2026
Routine - Food
10 critical violations. 1 major violation.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. At walk-in cooler; cooked rice (65F - Cooling). Operator stated cooling overnight inside walk-in cooler, did not reach 41F within 6 hours. See Stop Sale. **Warning**
03D-02-5
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm). Operator primed machine, retested at 0ppm. Advised Operator to set up triple sink to manually sanitize dishes until machine repaired and sanitizing properly. **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee went from washing/rinsing soiled dishes prior to loading dishwasher then walked to cook line and began preparing food for customers without washing hands. Operator discussed with employee who then washed hands. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12A-13-4
High Priority - Non-exempt fish offered raw in fish ceviche has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked (145F for 15 seconds) or discarded. Advised Operator to provide proof of parasite destruction for non-exempt fish prior to serving raw in fish ceviche. **Warning**
01D-01-5
High Priority - Non-food grade "thank you" bags used in direct contact with food (cooked rice) in steam table. Operator removed rice from bag. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
14-31-5
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. At flip top reach in cooler; raw chicken stored over raw beef. Operator moved raw chicken below raw beef. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. At walk-in cooler; raw shell eggs (62F - Ambient Air Temperature Cold Holding). Operator stated not prepared or portioned, held inside walk-in cooler overnight. See Stop Sale. **Warning**
03A-03-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. At walk-in cooler; cooked rice (65F - Cooling). Operator stated cooling overnight inside walk-in cooler, did not reach 41F within 6 hours. At walk-in cooler; raw shell eggs (62F - Ambient Air Temperature Cold Holding). Operator stated not prepared or portioned, held inside walk-in cooler overnight. At upright double door reach in cooler; cooked rice (45F - Cold Holding). Operator stated not prepared or portioned today, held in cooler overnight on bottom shelf, multiple shelves containing non temperature controlled for safety foods blocking airflow from fan unit in top of cooler. See Stop Sale. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At upright double door reach in cooler; cooked rice (45F - Cold Holding). Operator stated not prepared or portioned today, held in cooler overnight on bottom shelf, multiple shelves containing non temperature controlled for safety foods blocking airflow from fan unit in top of cooler. See Stop Sale. **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. At steam table; cooked rice (119F - Hot Holding). Operator stated rice reheated prior to being home Dinka tea, table **Warning**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Menu offers oysters and fish ceviche served raw, not identified as being raw. Advised Operator to identify items as being raw. **Warning**
02B-01-5
20
Apr 25, 2025
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Nov 4, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. At Reach in Cooler; cooked pinto beans (49F - Cooling); cooked black beans (49F - Cooling); cooked rice (46F - Cooling) Per operator items held in cooler overnight Items did not reach 41F within 6 hours. See stop sale **Warning**
03D-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. At Reach-in Cooler; Raw portioned chicken stored over raw beef Operator fixed **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-20-5
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. At Reach-in Freezer; Raw portioned chicken over raw beef Advised operator who fixed **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-17-6
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. At Reach in Cooler; cooked pinto beans (49F - Cooling); cooked black beans (49F - Cooling); cooked rice (46F - Cooling) Per operator items held in cooler overnight Items did not reach 41F within 6 hours. See stop sale **Warning**
01B-02-5
55
Oct 17, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Bleach spray bottle not labeled. Manager labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Cardboard lining dry food storage racks. Explained
14-45-4
86
Aug 9, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit...sour cream 53°, cheese 55°, cooked peppers 55° in flip top reach in cooler across from fryer at kitchen, per operator food being held less than four hours . Operator moved food to another acceptable cooler . **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged....cooked pulled beef with raw steak in reach in freezer. Operator moved . **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-02-6
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - bar area added. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. ...make a additional bar for coffee with ice been scooping ice next to main bar at front line . **Warning**
51-14-7
67
May 3, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Proper Use of Restriction and Exclusion
FL-04
90
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Mezcal Mexican Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Mezcal Mexican Restaurant on file is from Apr 15, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Mezcal Mexican Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at El Mezcal Mexican Restaurant.
How does El Mezcal Mexican Restaurant compare to other restaurants in West Palm Beach?
El Mezcal Mexican Restaurant most recently scored 41 out of 100, which is lower than the West Palm Beach average of 79.
Has El Mezcal Mexican Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Mezcal Mexican Restaurant have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at El Mezcal 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 Mezcal Mexican Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Mezcal Mexican Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
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