El Molcajete Mexican Restaurant
Last inspected: Mar 11, 2026
32
Score
El Molcajete Mexican Restaurant appears in inspection records eight times, starting in 2022. The most recent report on file is from Mar 11, 2026. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around 11 violations lately compared to roughly nine violations before.
The pattern that stands out is “reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation”, which has been cited four times.
The city-wide average sits at 79, which El Molcajete Mexican Restaurant's 32 doesn't quite reach. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.
8
Inspections
3
Critical latest
3
Major latest
8
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 11, 2026
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw beef and raw pork stored over ready to eat beef at the reach-in 2 door freezer. Operator switch it . **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
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. Raw beef stored over raw pork and raw shrimp at the 2 door reach-in freezer. Operator switch it . **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-17-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Prep table bottom ; shrimp (44F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (45F - Cold Holding); raw beef (45F - Cold Holding); mozzarella cheese (48F - Cold Holding); cooked beef (45 - Cold Holding Operator stated that the food was at 40 degrees at 10 am when he did his check in the morning and he did moved everything to the walk-in cooler to cool down . **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. All the cutting board at the kitchen.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Employee hand sink kitchen area the one between the 2 prep table Operator provided some . **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Employee hand sink kitchen area the one between the 2 prep table .
31B-03-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket torn bottom of prep table . **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Buckets of chips stored on floor at the kitchen. Operator moved it to shelves. Cans of pickled stored on floor at the storage room . **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Light not functioning. One out by the hoods and multiple missing by the walk-in cooler area .
36-62-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. No ambient thermometer bottom of prep table .
05-09-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloth stored on make table . Operator removed it . **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Fried ice cream stored at the white reach-in freezer not covered. Operator covered it . **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. At the storage room .
51-11-4
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Middle of the kitchen by the salsa table.
36-36-4
32
Aug 14, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Qaso dated as 8-6-25 Operational stated that done 8-11 but they didn't change label . **Corrected On-Site**
02C-01-5
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. 0 ppm Second check 100 ppm operator changed the chlorine buckets was empty . **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found Observed 3-4 live small flying insects at the storage area not landing at any food . Next routine visit per supervisor.
35A-02-7
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. Raw chicken stored on top of raw shrimp at the reach-in freezer. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-17-6
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Milk open 8-11 no label . **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. White buckets stored at employee hand sink at the kitchen. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Most of the cooked food at the reach- in freezer have no label .
02C-04-5
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee food stored at the reach-in cooler next to the customer food . Operator discarded it . **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket torn bottom table at the kitchen and reach-in cooler back area .
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Fryer oil stored on floor at the kitchen. Operator moved to the shelves . **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Walk-in cooler shelves . **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
33
Feb 5, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
37
Aug 19, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 1 live flying insects by front area at the bar not touching any food . Next announcement visit per supervisor Randy Hicks.
35A-02-6
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. At the employee hand sink prep area . **Repeat Violation**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At the employee hand sink prep area . **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
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. Not for everyone missing some signiture for some employee.
11-26-1
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. **Repeat Violation**
51-11-4
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Top of the ice machine.
36-36-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Storage area front of the walk-in cooler .
36-34-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Plate and bowls at cook line . **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
24-05-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Speaker and cellphones stored at prep table . **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Interior of refrigerator or freezer in disrepair/has exposed insulation. Gasket torn at the bottom table at cook line .
14-36-5
Basic - Light not functioning. One out by the hoods.
36-62-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At the employee hand sink prep area . **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Walk-in cooler shelf . **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. To go boxes at cook line . **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar salt and seasoning no label . **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
37
Mar 7, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
29
Oct 20, 2023
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine has an accumulation of mold like substance behind the deflector plate. Upper rear corner of ice bin at soda machine is soiled. - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-20: **Time Extended**
22-20-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Walk-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Walk in cooler shelves are soiled - From follow-up inspection 2023-10-20: **Time Extended**
22-16-4
90
Oct 17, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed 13 live flying insects in dry storage room and mop sink area. Operator killed all but 2. Next day as per supervisor Woods. **Warning**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shelled eggs stored over cooked beef in walk in cooler. Operator moved **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
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
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine has an accumulation of mold like substance behind the deflector plate. Upper rear corner of ice bin at soda machine is soiled.
22-20-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Cook put on hat **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Bar tools in standing water at 73°F. Operator discarded water **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. In both restrooms. Provided operator with signage **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
Basic - Ten (10) foot-candles of light at least 30 inches from floor not provided in dry food storage area. Lights are not functioning in dry storage room
38-05-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Walk in cooler shelves are soiled
22-16-4
50
Sep 2, 2022
Food-Licensing Inspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. At bar area. Must be replaced by next unannounced visit. - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-02: Next unannounced visit time extension **Time Extended**
36-37-5
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Molcajete Mexican Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Molcajete Mexican Restaurant on file is from Mar 11, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Molcajete Mexican Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at El Molcajete Mexican Restaurant.
How does El Molcajete Mexican Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Orlando?
El Molcajete Mexican Restaurant most recently scored 32 out of 100, which is lower than the Orlando average of 79.
Has El Molcajete Mexican Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at El Molcajete Mexican Restaurant have averaged around 11 violations per visit, up from roughly nine earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at El Molcajete 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 Molcajete Mexican Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Molcajete Mexican Restaurant is inspected around two times per year on average.
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