El Tapatio Mexican Grill
Last inspected: Nov 17, 2025
45
Score
The health department has logged nine inspections at El Tapatio Mexican Grill, the earliest from 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Nov 17, 2025. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around seven violations per visit versus roughly three violations earlier in the record.
Looking across the full record, “food stored on floor” is the recurring theme, flagged four times.
The city-wide average sits at 77, which El Tapatio Mexican Grill's 45 doesn't quite reach. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
9
Inspections
3
Critical latest
1
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 17, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Jalapeño poppers stored in box with raw beef. Manager moved **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef over shredded cheese in cook line cooler. Manager moved **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
High Priority - sanitizing solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed In bucket at servers area. Reading 200ppm++ Advised to add more water **Corrective Action Taken**
41-18-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked pork in walk in cooler made Saturday
02C-02-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. On steam table
14-09-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee Drink on table next to stove
12B-07-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Cooked tortilla chips in plastic storage containers on floor in servers area
08B-38-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Frozen shrimp sitting in prep sink still frozen. Advised manager to turn on water **Corrective Action Taken**
06-01-5
45
Jun 20, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw burgers over cheese in cook line reach in cooler **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Broom being stored in front of hand sink next to ice bin, manager removed **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. No proof of training for cooks. Manager is unsure where certificates are **Repeat Violation**
53B-13-5
Basic - Condensation or other drainage not disposed of according to law. Condensation in walk in cooler dripping into bucket on floor
28-02-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Salsa in walk in cooler **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
64
Dec 13, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Beans found in pan with lid at 49f Cooked pork 46f
03D-02-5
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. 1 cook, no proof of training
53B-13-5
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Heriberto expired 1/9/23
53B-14-5
Basic - Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Lining canned food in dry storage. Manager removed **Corrected On-Site**
14-05-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit.
05-09-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Hand wash sink next to servers area is dripping onto floor from pvc pipe
29-08-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues.
22-16-4
58
Jul 22, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
70
Jan 9, 2024
Complaint Full
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Food stored on floor. Frying oil and vinegar dry storage **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
95
Jan 5, 2024
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - Food stored on floor. Tomatoes walk in cooler **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4
86
Aug 29, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
47
Feb 9, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 8 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 touching crispy taco shells with bare hand for immediate service. Employee put gloves on and used new taco shells. **Corrected On-Site**
09-01-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. At cook line hand wash sink. Box moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Basic - Garbage on the ground and/or pad around dumpster.
33-19-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Removed. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease. Hood filters and ansel pipes.
23-03-4
Basic - Storage area not maintained clean and organized. Dry storage area.
33-34-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl in meat sauce in walk in cooler. Removed. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
16-21-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Behind dish machine area.
36-27-5
Basic - Dumpster overflowing garbage.
33-14-4
52
Jul 25, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken over raw pork in walk-in cooler. Moved to properly store. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Bucket stored at hand sink next to ice machine. Moved. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Taco fryer basket draining at hand sink next to cook line. Moved and sink cleaned. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. 5 certificates observed for 8 employees. Discussed new certificates and requirements with owner. Recheck at next inspection.
53B-13-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bag of carrots and containers on walk-in floor. Moved to shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Interior of microwave has accumulation of food debris. Microwave cleaned and sanitized. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
22-08-4
Basic - Soiled dry wiping cloth in use. **Repeat Violation**
21-10-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Over kitchen/plate area. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
52
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Tapatio Mexican Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Tapatio Mexican Grill on file is from Nov 17, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Tapatio Mexican Grill?
Across the inspection record, “food stored on floor” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at El Tapatio Mexican Grill.
How does El Tapatio Mexican Grill compare to other restaurants in Vero Beach?
El Tapatio Mexican Grill most recently scored 45 out of 100, which is lower than the Vero Beach average of 77.
Has El Tapatio Mexican Grill's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at El Tapatio Mexican Grill have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at El Tapatio Mexican Grill 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 Mexican Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Tapatio Mexican Grill is inspected around three times per year on average.
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