El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant
Last inspected: Oct 15, 2025
61
Score
Across the available record, El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant has 11 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The most recent report on file is from Oct 15, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around five violations across recent inspections versus roughly eight violations before.
“Ceiling not smooth” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
That's lower than the typical Inverness restaurant, which scores around 83. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
11
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 15, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found 2 live flies on wall in prep area 1 live fly on utensil in reach in cooler, operator removed utensil to be washed **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
35A-02-7
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In steam table at front line. Operator turned steam table up in temperature. queso (117F - Hot Holding) **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Chemical spray bottle in dish machine area. Operator labeled bleach. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Acoustic ceiling tiles throughout kitchen **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee beverages on prep table in kitchen. Employee removed. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
61
Jun 10, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found 1. Two flies flying in kitchen at cookline. 2. One fly flying in server station. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
35A-02-7
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. 1. Pan containing raw chicken stored on shelf directly above pan containing raw pork inside walk-in cooler. 2. Pan containing raw chicken stored on shelf directly above tubes of raw hamburger meat inside wall-in cooler.
08A-20-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Three spray bottles containing degreaser stored on shelf directly above foam takeout containers and wrapped utensils in server station. Manager removed all chemicals from shelf during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Backflow prevention device missing at two hose connections at mop sink behind building.
29-34-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Interior of ice machine soiled with black substance. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. 1. Two wooden trays stored down inside Handwash sink at cookline. 2. Ice dumped into Handwash sink in server station.
31A-11-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Porous and absorbent ceiling tiles in-use throughout kitchen.
36-37-5
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. 1. Exterior of hood at cookline soiled with dust. 2. Several stained ceiling tiles throughout establishment.
36-50-4
41
Aug 7, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Cooked pork prepared last night around 7:40 pm. No temperature monitoring was completed. See stop sale **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-30: No food items cooling at time of the inspection **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-07: No food cooling at the time of the inspection **Time Extended**
03D-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Condensation or other drainage not disposed of according to law. Vent above three compartment sink is dripping on clean food containers. Operator removed containers and washed them **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-30: Operator placed pan under vent to catch dripping water **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-07: Vent still is actively dripping above 3 compartment sink. Recommended to operator to remove pans from shelf and block off 3 compartment sink and only use dish machine. Operator removed all pans and utensils during inspection. Operator states they have called an HVAC repair service to repair. **Admin Complaint**
28-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-07-30: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-07: **Time Extended**
35B-01-4
78
Jul 30, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Plumbing Installed; Proper Backflow Devices
FL-28
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
50
Jul 26, 2024
Routine - Food
8 critical violations. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 17 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Cooked pork prepared last night around 7:40 pm. No temperature monitoring was completed. See stop sale **Warning**
03D-02-5
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. Kitchen employee touched tortillas with bare hand. Temperature of tortilla was 122. Discussed with manager who had employee wash hands and put gloves on. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
09-01-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Two flies in server station and four flies in the kitchen. **Warning**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/ Tamale labeled 07/08/2024, operator stated it was made last night. **Warning**
02C-01-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Pork, chile relleno, tamale **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Reach in cooler by hot well- Chile Ralleno 57-see stop sale Tamale 57-see stop sale Sour cream 55-moved to cooler brought from walk in at 11 am. Moved to freezer. Sour cream not observed at the end of the inspection **Corrective Action Taken** **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. Rice 114- reheated to 175. Beans 129- **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Wiping cloth solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed stored in a location that could result in the cross contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Strip turned black sanitizer bucket in kitchen. **Warning**
41-15-5
Intermediate - Ambient air thermometer in holding unit not accurate within plus or minus 3 degrees Fahrenheit. Ambient thermometer gauge broken on reach in cooler by back door Operator added new thermometer **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
05-05-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board soiled and grooved **Warning**
22-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Inside Walk in cooler, reach in coolers, reach in freezers soiled. Mop bucket outside soiled. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Salsa in soy sauce container in walk in cooler. **Warning**
25-32-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Cut onions and pico in walk in cooler not covered. Operator covered **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-12-5
Basic - Condensation or other drainage not disposed of according to law. Vent above three compartment sink is dripping on clean food containers. Operator removed containers and washed them **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
28-02-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Warning**
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor in kitchen and walk in cooler soiled. **Warning**
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Container of oil in floor in kitchen. **Warning**
08B-38-4
17
Feb 15, 2024
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. In kitchen area **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-15: **Time Extended**
36-17-5
95
Feb 6, 2024
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. refried beans (54F - Cooling) placed in walk in cooler to cool yesterday evening. 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. 0ppm **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken stored over raw ground beef in walk in cooler **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. refried beans (54F - Cooling) placed in walk in cooler to cool yesterday evening **Warning**
01B-02-5
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification and no other certified food service manager employed at this location. Marco C. **Warning**
53A-02-7
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Refried beans placed in deep bus tub and covered with tin foil. (54F - Cooling) placed in walk in cooler to cool yesterday evening. **Warning**
03D-15-4
Basic - Cloth used as a food-contact surface. In chili relleno container **Warning**
21-05-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. In kitchen area **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-17-5
41
Sep 14, 2023
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
86
Sep 7, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 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. 0ppm, operator has put in a service request with ecolab to have the machine repaired during inspection. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
22-41-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw shell eggs over butter in walk in cooler. Operator corrected shelves **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. pico (46F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese (47F - Cold Holding); shredded lettuce (51F - Cold Holding); guacamole (51F - Cold Holding); sour cream (50F - Cold Holding); diced tomatoes (53F - Cold Holding); fried peppers (52F - Cold Holding) Recheck- Pico 42F shredded cheese 48F shredded lettuce 49F guacamole 43F sour cream 40F diced tomatoes 47F Operator states all items were placed in reach in cooler from walk in cooler at 11am. Operator does not have documented temperature monitoring. Operator placed items in ice bath to rapidly chill. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Pepsi cooler in kitchen
14-33-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. Employee using soiled wet cloth to wipe food prep counter
21-09-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Multiple tiles in kitchen area Multiple floor tiles in disrepair in kitchen area
36-32-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Employee preparing food in kitchen wearing bracelet
13-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Cups in beverage station
24-08-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Reach in cooler in cook line area next to microwave
05-09-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Water bottle in glass door vertical cooler
12B-13-4
43
Mar 24, 2023
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Sep 16, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb. At mop sink - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-16: **Time Extended**
29-34-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Lack of hot water for entire establishment. Operator states they have a replacement hot water heater ordered. - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-16: Establishment does not have the hot water heater fixed. **Admin Complaint**
27-16-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Soiled acoustic ceiling tiles in kitchen area - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-16: **Time Extended**
36-37-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Walk in cooler floor soiled Floor tiles cracked in kitchen area - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-16: **Time Extended**
36-73-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. In Pepsi cooler in kitchen area **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2022-09-16: **Time Extended**
05-09-4
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant on file is from Oct 15, 2025. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “ceiling not smooth” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant.
How does El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Inverness?
El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Inverness average of 83.
Has El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant 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 Ranchito Mexican Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant is inspected around four times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants