El Tapatio
Last inspected: Jan 22, 2026
37
Score
El Tapatio appears in inspection records 10 times, starting in 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Jan 22, 2026. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around eight violations, down from roughly 11 violations earlier in the record.
“Equipment in poor repair” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.
El Tapatio's latest score of 37 falls below the Kissimmee average of 78. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 22, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed
FL-27
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
37
Jul 21, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
43
Mar 3, 2025
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Pork, Chicken, and Beef cooling on a speed rack near reach in freezer.All three items temping at 125F, 94F and 87F.Per operator the items were prepared 2 hours ago. Advised operator to remove Saran wrap and refrigerate immediately. **Corrective Action Taken** - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-03: **Time Extended**
03D-15-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Pans at dry dish storage. - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-03: **Time Extended**
24-08-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. No ambient thermometer at reach in cooler across from flat top grill on cooks line. - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-03: **Time Extended**
05-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar, Corn Flour, Salt and Chicken Bouillon not labeled in storage container. - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-03: **Time Extended**
02D-01-5
78
Feb 12, 2025
Complaint Full
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Procedures for Responding to Vomiting/Diarrheal Events
FL-05
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
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
33
Sep 10, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 10 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Evaporated milk, glenview brand, 3 qts.
01B-01-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw chicken over chili peppers.
08A-04-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Wiping cloth bucket in sink basin at drinkststion.
31A-09-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.
16-46-4
Basic - Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover. **Repeat Violation**
14-20-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Drink station and other areas.
21-12-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl in rice at cookline.
14-01-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket at drive thru window. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water.
36-22-4
Basic - Floors not maintained smooth and durable. Several areas throughout facility in poor repair.
36-11-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
10-20-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Kitchen over dishwasher/cook line.
36-34-5
41
Apr 15, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Evidence of mop/cleaning wastewater dumped onto ground. Mop buckets upside down at back door with puddles of mop like water draining.
28-14-5
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No quat test strips for 3 bin sink.
16-37-1
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/ 6 employees on duty with no certified food manager present. Managers appeared during inspection.
53A-05-6
Basic - Very slow draining water in handwash sink at drink station.
29-20-5
Basic - Walking or driving surfaces not maintained. In back by dumpsters several large divots.
33-32-4
Basic - Accumulation of lime scale on the inside of the dishmachine.
16-23-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Opened Water bottles in drive thru area by chip baskets.
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket on reach in prep cooler at drive thru in poor repair.
14-11-5
Basic - Faucet/handle at plumbing fixture, handwash sink in drink area not working..
29-09-4
Basic - Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover.
14-20-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar or other white powder like substance on shelf over soda dispenser in drive thru area.
02D-01-5
47
Sep 21, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
41
Mar 13, 2023
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - No measuring device available for measuring utensil surface temperature when using hot water as sanitizer in a dishmachine. **Repeat Violation**
16-62-1
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Kitchen **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. - walk-in cooler shelves
23-03-4
82
Jan 24, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
64
Aug 10, 2022
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 15 minor violations.
View 20 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 fly at kitchen **Repeat Violation**
35A-02-6
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw shrimps over raw beef in reach in freezer
08A-20-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Hose next to dishwasher
29-34-4
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Employee pedialite in walk-in cooler shelve above cake **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. At kitchen
31B-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine in back area and bin in waiters station
22-20-5
Basic - Accumulation of lime scale on the inside of the dishmachine.
16-23-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. At kitchen **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
32-12-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting.
24-08-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not washed, rinsed and sanitized in the correct order in three-compartment sink. Do not use dishes/equipment not properly sanitized. Reviewed with employee
16-13-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Drawers handles at cookline reach in cooler
14-11-5
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Frying oils in kitchen floor
08B-47-4
Basic - Heavy Ice buildup in reach-in freezer at bar..
14-69-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. -Behind hand wash sink at kitchen - wall next to walk-in cooler entrance - wall next to prep area - wall behind reach in freezers front walk in cooler **Repeat Violation**
36-24-5
Basic - Hood filter missing from automatic fire suppression/exhaust system.
14-42-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. -At juice bar area - at restroom **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
Basic - Old food stuck to clean dishware/utensils.
16-48-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Food in walk-in cooler
08B-12-5
23
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Tapatio last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Tapatio on file is from Jan 22, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Tapatio?
Across the inspection record, “equipment in poor repair” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at El Tapatio.
How does El Tapatio compare to other restaurants in Kissimmee?
El Tapatio most recently scored 37 out of 100, which is lower than the Kissimmee average of 78.
Has El Tapatio's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at El Tapatio have averaged around eight violations per visit, down from roughly 11 earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at El Tapatio 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 Tapatio inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Tapatio is inspected around three times per year on average.
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