El Primo Restaurant & Grocery
Last inspected: Mar 9, 2026
64
Score
Across the available record, El Primo Restaurant & Grocery has 11 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 9, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around seven violations each.
“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” comes up most often, recorded four times in the inspection record.
Restaurants in Jacksonville average 74, so El Primo Restaurant & Grocery trails the local norm. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
11
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 9, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
64
Oct 24, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
33
Jan 30, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Triple Sink (Chlorine 0ppm) observed tube not fully in container. Operator adjusted tube and bucket and remade solution and retested at 100ppm **Corrected On-Site** **Admin Complaint**
22-42-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shelled eggs stored over cheese in reach-in cooler on cook line. Operator removed shelled eggs to properly store. **Corrected On-Site** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink next to triple sink used to store containers. Operator removed containers from hand wash sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gasket on walk-in-cooler soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Sealed Pans of food stored on floor never bottom shelf in walk in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
61
Sep 13, 2024
Routine - Food
6 critical violations. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. cooked beans, cooked pork (126F-130F - Hot Holding) in steamtable on cookline. Operator reheated both items to more than 165F and placed back in steamtable. **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. cooked beans (49F-53F - Cooling) prepared prior night not cooled to 41F within 6 hours. Stop Sale
01B-36-5
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. cooked beans (49F-53F - Cooling) prepared prior night not cooled to 41F within 6 hours. Stop Sale
03D-02-5
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Triple Sink (Chlorine 0ppm). Operator changed buckets of solution and retested at 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
22-42-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shelled eggs stored over ready to eat sauces in reach-in cooler on cookline near kitchen entry door. Also, raw pork stored over ready to eat pork/ chicharron in reach in deep freezer. Operator removed items to properly store. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Non food grade paper towels used in direct contact for herbs in walk-in-cooler.
14-86-1
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Operator unable to provide proof of chemical test strips for triple sink or warewashing machine.
16-37-1
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. House made flan prepared on Monday not date marked in walk-in-cooler. Operator placed a date mark on flan. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Cup without handle used to dispense rice in dry food storage area. Operator removed cup from rice. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Cardboard used to line shelving that is used to store food in walk-in-cooler.
14-05-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Portable green cutting boards on cookline have grooves/ cut marks and no longer cleanable.Operator discarded portable cutting boards during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
14-09-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Two buckets of lard/ shortening stored on floor adjacent to dishwashing machine.
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gasket on walk-in-cooler and walk in freezer soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Hand wash sink behind front deli case out of order/ in disrepair. Operator has Bag over faucet. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
29-08-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Box with individually wrapped plastic cutlery and box with packages of single use napkins stored on floor under shelving and counter in bar area.
25-05-4
23
Mar 25, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
55
Sep 20, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Sep 6, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed chemical sanitizing dish machine at 0ppm, establishment will Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-06: Observed dish machine still the same at callback. Employee stated they have been called out and supposed to be there today. **Admin Complaint**
22-49-4
86
Aug 28, 2023
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
30
May 31, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Mar 31, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken stored over raw beef in walk-in cooler. Manager removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Observed establishment Certified Food managers expired January 27-2023,observed more than 4 employees present engaging in food preparation without a certified food manager present. **Warning**
53A-05-6
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. Observed establishment without written procedures on vomiting and diarrhea clean up. Inspector provided copy of written procedures on vomiting and diarrhea clean up.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand sink in middle of kitchen blocked with watering pitcher. Employee removed and stored water pitcher. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed case of raw meat, bucket of salsa stored on floor of walk-in cooler. Observed case of oranges stored on floor near ware washing area. Manager removed and stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed walk-in cooler door gasket torn.
14-11-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed cup without a handle in bucket of salsa used to dispense salsa. Manager removed cup out of the salsa bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed frozen raw intestines in sink to thaw without cold running water. Employee moved frozen raw intestines to sink with cold running water. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled door gasket on walk-in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
50
Nov 17, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed one flying insect at entrance of kitchen.
35A-02-6
High Priority - Employee touched bare body part and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee wearing gloves touch pants and proceeded to stir food on steam table.
12A-10-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling vents in kitchen to be soiled.
36-34-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee drink on prep table near walk in freezer. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed walk in cooler door gasket to be soiled. Observed freezer cooler door gasket to be soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
64
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Primo Restaurant & Grocery last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Primo Restaurant & Grocery on file is from Mar 9, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Primo Restaurant & Grocery?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at El Primo Restaurant & Grocery.
How does El Primo Restaurant & Grocery compare to other restaurants in Jacksonville?
El Primo Restaurant & Grocery most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Jacksonville average of 74.
Has El Primo Restaurant & Grocery's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Primo Restaurant & Grocery have averaged around seven violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at El Primo Restaurant & Grocery 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 Primo Restaurant & Grocery inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Primo Restaurant & Grocery is inspected around three times per year on average.
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