El Ranchito Mexican Grill
Last inspected: Feb 2, 2026
86
Score
El Ranchito Mexican Grill appears in inspection records 12 times, starting in 2022. The most recent visit was on Feb 2, 2026. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around three violations across recent inspections versus roughly six violations before.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing”, showing up six times.
By comparison, the average Crystal River facility scores 90, putting El Ranchito Mexican Grill on the weaker side. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
12
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 2, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink in wait station area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-02-02: Discussed with operator and repair is being scheduled. **Time Extended**
27-16-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas in dry storage off wait station area. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-02-02: **Time Extended**
36-37-5
86
Jan 21, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
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. Chlorine sanitizing dishmachine at 0 ppm. Operator set up three compartment sink with manual sanitization. **Corrective Action Taken** **Admin Complaint**
22-41-4
Intermediate - Soap dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense soap on cook line. Operator placed soap. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31B-06-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled in warewashing area. Operator labeled. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink in wait station area. **Warning**
27-16-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas in dry storage off wait station area. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-37-5
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface in wait station cooler where salsa pitcher is stored. Operator replaced. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
14-33-4
58
Aug 7, 2025
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in dry storage area near wait station, also some tiles soiled and floors not maintained smooth and durable in front of cook line. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-07: **Time Extended**
36-37-5
95
Jul 29, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
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. Observed chlorine sanitizing dishmachine at 10 ppm. Operator started to set up three compartment sink for manual sanitation. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
22-41-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw shell eggs stored over heads of lettuce in walk-in cooler. **Warning**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Cooked Chicken (51F - Cold Holding); Cut Tomatoes (57F - Cold Holding); Cut Lettuce (54F - Cold Holding); Refried Beans (52F - Cold Holding); Beef (52F - Cold Holding); Salsa (51F - Cold Holding); Raw Beef (51F - Cold Holding); Guacamole with Cut Tomatoes (51F - Cold Holding); Milk (56F - Cold Holding); Sour Cream (51F - Cold Holding); Rice (52F - Cold Holding); Raw Shell Eggs (57F - Ambient Air Temperature); Raw Pork (50F - Cold Holding) and Raw Beef - Tubes (50F - Cold Holding) in walk-in cooler. Operator stated items had been in cooler overnight and a direct temperature of the food had not been taken. Issued stop sale. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Cooked Chicken (51F - Cold Holding); Cut Tomatoes (57F - Cold Holding); Cut Lettuce (54F - Cold Holding); Refried Beans (52F - Cold Holding); Beef (52F - Cold Holding); Salsa (51F - Cold Holding); Raw Beef (51F - Cold Holding); Guacamole with Cut Tomatoes (51F - Cold Holding); Milk (56F - Cold Holding); Sour Cream (51F - Cold Holding); Rice (52F - Cold Holding); Raw Shell Eggs (57F - Ambient Air Temperature); Raw Pork (50F - Cold Holding) and Raw Beef - Tubes (50F - Cold Holding) in walk-in cooler. Operator stated items had been in cooler overnight and a direct temperature of the food had not been taken. Issued stop sale. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Employees using handwash sink in warewashing area as a dump sink. Discussed with operator. **Warning**
31A-11-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in dry storage area near wait station, also some tiles soiled and floors not maintained smooth and durable in front of cook line. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-37-5
47
Apr 14, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 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. Observed chlorine sanitizing dishmachine at 0 ppm at time of inspection. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-14: Observed dishmachine with chlorine sanitizer at 0 ppm 122F at time of callback inspection. Discussed with employee about manual sanitization in three compartment sink. **Admin Complaint**
22-41-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed handwash sink in wait station area with hot water turned off due to a leak with the temperature of the water at 70F. Employee turned on hot water. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-14: Hot water turned off at wait station handwash sink. **Time Extended**
27-16-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in wait station and dry storage area. Some ceilings tiles are damaged with water stains. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-14: **Time Extended**
36-37-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair on cook line. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-14: **Time Extended**
36-17-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair at handwash sink in wait station area, hot water turned off to sink at start of inspection. Handwash sink on cook line had cold water turned off to sink at start of inspection. The water was turned off due to leaks from faucet at handwash sinks. Employee turned back on. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-14: Cold and hot water turned on at handwash sink on cook line. Hot water turned off at handwash sink in wait station area. **Time Extended**
29-08-4
67
Mar 21, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
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. Observed chlorine sanitizing dishmachine at 0 ppm at time of inspection. **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef stored over ready-to-eat shredded cheese in double door vertical reach-in cooler at end of cook line. Employee moved and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Cut Lettuce (58F - Cold Holding) on prep table area near steam table on cook line. Employee placed in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed handwash sink in wait station area with hot water turned off due to a leak with the temperature of the water at 70F. Employee turned on hot water. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
27-16-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in wait station and dry storage area. Some ceilings tiles are damaged with water stains. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-37-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair on cook line. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-17-5
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice in wait station ice bin. Employee corrected. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-08-5
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair at handwash sink in wait station area, hot water turned off to sink at start of inspection. Handwash sink on cook line had cold water turned off to sink at start of inspection. The water was turned off due to leaks from faucet at handwash sinks. Employee turned back on. **Warning**
29-08-4
47
Sep 5, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Employee placed tortilla chips in basket with bare hands. Discussed using gloves or scoop with employee.
09-01-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. salsa (48F - Cold Holding) on counter in wait station. Operator moved to cooler to cool down. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
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.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Ice dumped in hand wash sink in dish machine area **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Hot water shut off at hand wash sink in wait station
27-16-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Ceiling in wait station has water stained acoustic ceiling tiles
36-37-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee preparing food in cook line area
13-03-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Tiles in cook line area in disrepair
36-17-5
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. In ice bin at wait station
10-08-5
Basic - Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Oil containers used to store salsa
25-32-4
43
Mar 4, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Employee medication in server area cooler. Operator removed **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
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. Provided operator with DBPR HR Form 5030-104.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Employee used dish area hand sink to fill soap bucket. **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Multiple items in Walk-in-Cooler not dated
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle near dish area with pink liquid not labeled. Operator labeled **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bucket of food on floor in prep area. Operator removed **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Cooks line microwave interior soiled. Operator cleaned **Corrected On-Site**
22-08-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Frozen breaded ice cream for fried ice cream in server area freezer not covered
08B-12-5
50
Oct 3, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink in kitchen contains ice indicating it's used as a dump sink. **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink in dish area **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Server station reach in cooler shelves rusted
14-33-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of cooks line double door reach-in-cooler. **Repeat Violation**
29-49-6
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Moisture staining on multiple tiles in establishment **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on shelf above three compartment sink. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
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 cell phone on prep table. Operator removed **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Multiple damaged tiles in kitchen area **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -walk,I'm cooler shelves soiled
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Repeat Violation**
33-16-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach in cooler in server station interior soiled
22-16-4
52
Jun 13, 2023
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Multiple ceiling tiles in establishment have moisture staining and as well as dust/dirt build up on vents. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-06-13: **Time Extended**
36-34-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Multiple chipped/broken tiles in kitchen area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-06-13: **Time Extended**
36-17-5
90
Apr 14, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 14 minor violations.
View 20 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef stored above sour cream in walk in cooler. Operator moved to proper location. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands. Sever dropped dirty dishes in dish area then went back to server station and began touching food items without hand wash. Educated servers on proper hand washing. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
12A-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand sink in server area had drink cup and ice in it indicating it is being used as a dump sink. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
31A-11-4
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. Spoke with owner on the phone, he states no one has ever asked to see his employee food handler training before. I informed him there will be information on the inspection report on where to find training. **Warning**
53B-01-5
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. Provided operator with DBPR HR Forms 5030-103 and 5030-104 **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
11-27-4
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. Provided operator with DBPR HR Forms 5030-103 and 5030-104 **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
11-26-1
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Plastic guard in ice machine has mold like growth. **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Multiple ceiling tiles in establishment have moisture staining and as well as dust/dirt build up on vents. **Warning**
36-34-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee jacket and drink cup stored on bag in box soda in dry storage. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Line cook with no hair restraint. Employee put cap on. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. In dish area. Operator mopped all water during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
36-22-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Behind ice machine in server station. **Warning**
36-73-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Multiple chipped/broken tiles in kitchen area. **Warning**
36-17-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. In walk-in cooler five gallon bucket of cut bell peppers being stored on floor. Operator moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-08-5
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. None located in server glass door cooler. **Warning**
05-09-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -soda fountain behind nozzles has accumulation of mold like substance. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Operator closed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
33-16-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Two door reach in cooler on cook line. **Warning**
29-49-6
Basic - Standing water in floor drain/floor drain draining very slowly. Use of sink causes waste water to overflow from floor drain onto floor. Employees are not walking through water and are cleaning it from floor when it happens to overflow. **Warning**
29-19-4
25
Sep 6, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Two Server handled soiled dishes or utensils and then picked up plated food, served food, or prepared a beverage without washing hands.
12A-02-4
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Bottle of advil and sukrol on shelf above cooks line. **Repeat Violation**
41-07-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand washing sink used as dump sink in server station , ice and straw sink **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. On cooks line.
31B-02-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table. Employee beverages above the dishwasher and n cooks line.
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Wet nesting tumblers in server station. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. On cooks line. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Two door reach in coolers in servers station **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
Basic - Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Reused I'll container for salsas **Repeat Violation**
25-32-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food.raw chicken stored uncovered over case of carrots **Repeat Violation**
08B-17-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet kitchen towel stored in single compartment prep sink.
21-12-4
43
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Ranchito Mexican Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Ranchito Mexican Grill on file is from Feb 2, 2026. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Ranchito Mexican Grill?
Across the inspection record, “handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at El Ranchito Mexican Grill.
How does El Ranchito Mexican Grill compare to other restaurants in Crystal River?
El Ranchito Mexican Grill most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is lower than the Crystal River average of 90.
Has El Ranchito Mexican Grill's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at El Ranchito Mexican Grill have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at El Ranchito Mexican Grill 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 Ranchito Mexican Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Ranchito Mexican Grill is inspected around four times per year on average.
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