El Primo Restaurant and Grocery
Last inspected: Mar 9, 2026
90
Score
The health department has logged 10 inspections at El Primo Restaurant and Grocery, the earliest from 2022. The most recent report on file is from Mar 9, 2026. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around four violations compared to roughly seven violations earlier on.
The pattern that stands out is “no chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer”, which has been cited two times.
Restaurants in Jacksonville average 74, so El Primo Restaurant and Grocery is doing better than most peers. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 9, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
90
Jan 7, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Chemical spray bottle , all purpose cleaner over utensils. Kitchen. Moved by manager. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Tray of eggs over ready to eat items in cooler at market. Moved by manager. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Frozen cooked rice , chicken thawing at room temperature in kitchen Hand Wash Sink. Moved by manager **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Establishment has no chlorine test strips available.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. 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/. 1). Establishment has moved market store operations to where dining room used to be and moved dining room to where market used to be. 2). Establishment has moved ice machine to near market. Walk in cooler. ( Hand Wash Sink added next to ice machine ) 3) meat market case removed. (Three compartment sink and Hand Wash Sink is now behind walls ) **Warning**
51-16-7
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled chemical spray bottle at dry goods. All purpose cleaner.
41-17-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Soiled deflector plate to interior of ice machine located : by market cooler. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee beverage container on prep table. Moved by manager. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee jacket over restaurant packaged foods / utensils. Moved by manager. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Frozen cooked rice , chicken thawing at room temperature in kitchen. (Hand Wash Sink ). Moved by manager **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. 1 wet wipes on counter in : kitchen Moved by manager. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
39
Sep 4, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Sep 3, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
27
Oct 4, 2024
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cooked vegetables for sale at meat market at 78° 76°, 78°. On top shelf. (Overnight temperatures).
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked vegetables for sale at meat market at 78° 76°, 78°. On top shelf. (Overnight temperatures). **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Multiple utensils, lids in Hand Wash Sink at meat market. Moved by manager. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Packaged food not labeled as specified by law. Packaged salsa for sale at frontline with inadequate labeling requirements.
02D-02-4
Basic - Old food stuck to clean dishware/utensils. Old food debris on cleaned , stacked plates. Kitchen. Person In Charge moved plates for cleaning.
16-48-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Old labels on exterior of cleaned containers. Dry rack.
16-46-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Knives between equipment . Prep line. Moved by manager. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bag of carrots on floor. Walk in cooler. Moved by manager. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Soiled employee apron over cleaned utensils. Rear rack. Moved by manager. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Soiled microwave handles
23-24-4
45
Sep 30, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Sep 24, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Utensils and dishware not sanitized. **Warning**
22-45-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. 61°. Pico. 62°. Lettuce 60°. Reach in cooler / make table. (Overnight temperatures) **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked chicken 60°. Cooked beef 60°. Cooked chicken 61°. Pico. 62°. Lettuce 60°. Reach in cooler / make table. (Overnight temperatures) **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Food service employee handled soiled equipment then engaged in food service activities without washing hands. **Warning**
12A-09-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled chemical spray bottle at kitchen . Degreaser.
41-17-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Establishment has no chlorine test strips available.
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Missing paper towels at kitchen Hand Wash Sink. Replaced by manger. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. Establishment has no probe thermometer available.
05-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Condensation drip from two door cooler in kitchen . By entrance.
14-11-5
35
Jun 21, 2024
Food-Licensing Inspection
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Multiple ceiling tiles missing. Kitchen and dining.
36-36-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Construction dust and debris. Kitchen, dining.
36-73-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At Hand wash sink. Replaced by manager. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Construction dust and debris on counters and shelves.
23-03-4
82
Jan 19, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
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
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Insects, Rodents, and Animals Not Present
FL-38
52
Sep 6, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Missing paper towels at kitchen Hand Wash Sink.
31B-02-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Ceiling tiles in prep areas are cardboard/acoustic style. Not smooth and easily cleanable. (Note : if ceiling tiles are observed to be soiled of not cleanable in future inspections, division will require tiles to be changed )
36-37-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Soiled exterior of equipment including handles to coolers. Multiple. **Repeat Violation**
23-24-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Soiled interior of kitchen reach in cooler.
22-16-4
Basic - Twenty (20) foot-candles of light at least 30 inches from floor not provided in handwashing, warewashing, or equipment and utensil storage areas. Insufficient light by ware washing area.
38-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soiled Counters and shelves at kitchen. Multiple. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Interior of refrigerator or freezer in disrepair/has exposed insulation. Minor torn reach in cooler gasket. Kitchen.
14-36-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Boxed cabbage on floor. Moved by manager **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. Duct tape on make table cutting board.
14-71-4
61
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Primo Restaurant and Grocery last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Primo Restaurant and Grocery on file is from Mar 9, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Primo Restaurant and Grocery?
Across the inspection record, “no chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at El Primo Restaurant and Grocery.
How does El Primo Restaurant and Grocery compare to other restaurants in Jacksonville?
El Primo Restaurant and Grocery most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Jacksonville average of 74.
Has El Primo Restaurant and Grocery's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at El Primo Restaurant and Grocery have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at El Primo Restaurant and Grocery means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is El Primo Restaurant and Grocery inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Primo Restaurant and Grocery is inspected around three times per year on average.
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