El Tapatio Original
Last inspected: Nov 3, 2025
47
Score
Public records show 11 inspections at El Tapatio Original stretching back to 2022. On Nov 3, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around 11 violations to closer to six violations per visit over the last few inspections.
When inspectors have written things up, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been the most frequent reason, cited six times.
That's lower than the typical Jacksonville restaurant, which scores around 74. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.
11
Inspections
3
Critical latest
0
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 3, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed cooked rice stored in plastic to-go bags in standing reach in cooler next to cook line. Person in charge moved cooked rice to food-grade containers. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
14-31-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw chicken stored over unwashed produce in standing reach in cooler next to cook line. Person in charge rearranged food items to proper storage levels. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw chicken and raw beef stored over ready to eat sauces in standing reach in cooler next to cook line. Person in charge rearranged food items to proper storage levels. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting board with grooves and no longer smooth and easily cleanable on flip top cooler. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gaskets on reach in cooler doors under flip top cooler on cook line.
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed; cooked tomatoes and peppers used for house-made salsa stored on floor by oven on cook line. 2 boxes of unwashed produce on floor in walk-in cooler. Person in charge moved all food items to proper storage location. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs hanging from oven door handle in direct walkway. **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed food debris build up on gaskets for reach in cooler doors under flip top cooler. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observed sanitizer bucket with chlorine solution testing at 0ppm in server station. Person in charge added bleach to bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
21-07-4
47
Jul 2, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 1, 2025
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 4 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. Observed bag of raw fish stored on top of box of ready to eat chicken in standing reach in freezer near bar. Person in charge rearranged food items to proper storage levels. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Observed pan of cooked rice at temperature of 51F stored in walk-in cooler. Employee stated rice was cooked day prior, placed in walk-in cooler, then not removed from walk-in cooler for any reason since. Cooked rice (51F - Cooling) **Warning**
03D-02-5
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. Observed pan of cooked rice at temperature of 51F stored in walk-in cooler. Employee stated rice was cooked day prior, placed in walk-in cooler, then not removed from walk-in cooler for any reason since. **Warning**
01B-36-5
High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed cooked food items stored in plastic grocery bag in walk-in cooler. Employee voluntarily discarded. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
14-31-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed multiple food items with temperatures of 117-128F in steam table on cook line. Employee stated all food items were cooked today and placed in steam table to be held hot. Employee reheated all food items to minimum of 165F by end of inspection. Cooked beans, cooked chicken, cooked beef, cooked pork (117-128F - Hot Holding) **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03B-01-6
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed multiple cutting boards with grooves and no longer smooth and easily cleanable on cook line. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Grease on the ground and/or pad around grease receptacle. Observed grease build up on ground in front of grease receptacle.
33-20-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed pair of tongs hanging from oven door handle on cook line in direct path of walkway. Employee removed tongs. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed; soiled fan guards on fan on shelf at end of cook line. Soiled gaskets on reach in cooler doors under flip top cooler. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
39
Jan 27, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw chicken stored over ready to eat cooked beef in standing reach in freezer in kitchen. Person in charge moved cooked beef to top shelf away from raw chicken. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored over ready to eat mayonnaise in reach in cooler on cook line. Mayonnaise had hole punctured through top for scooping spoon to fit. Person in charge rearranged food items to proper storage levels. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Observed opened container of milk with no date marking stored in reach in cooler next to reach in freezers. Person in charge stated it was opened day prior but unable to confirm exact time. Person in charge voluntarily discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed person in charge wash hands in wash sink of three compartment sink. Inspector educated person in charge on proper handwashing locations. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled blade on can opener on prep table near standing reach in freezers. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Accumulation of lime scale on the inside of the dishmachine. Observed lime scale accumulation inside of dish machine.
16-23-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed soiled ceiling tiles throughout kitchen. Person in charge has replaced more than half of soiled ceiling tiles since previous inspection.
36-34-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting board with grooves and no longer smooth and easily cleanable stored on flip top cooler on cook line. Person in charge voluntarily discarded cutting board. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed; soiled hood filters above cook line. Soiled gasket and frame on walk-in cooler door. Soiled gaskets on reach in cooler in bar area. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels stuck to clean containers stored on drying rack next to three compartment sink. **Repeat Violation**
16-46-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Observed open lid on dumpster person in charge stated belonged to establishment. Person in charge closed lid. **Corrected On-Site**
33-16-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed large container of chips with no lid stored in dry storage area near office.
08B-12-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed metal pan with no handle used for scooping rice stored in rice bin in dry storage. Person in charge removed pan. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
37
Aug 20, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 13, 2024
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 3 major violations. 13 minor violations.
View 21 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed box of raw chicken stacked over a box of raw beef in freezer. Person in charge moved to designated raw chicken shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed one live roach on dish machine. **Warning**
35A-05-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed four pans of cooked meat and one pan of cheese sauce being held hot at temperatures less than 135. Person in charge reheated all items to correct temperatures. Person in charge noticed steam table was not on and corrected. Cooked ground beef (129-134F - Hot Holding); Cooked steak (126-132F - Hot Holding); Cooked chicken (127F - Hot Holding); Cheese sauce (115-122F - Hot Holding) Cooked ground beef retemp (181F - Hot Holding); Cooked steak retemp (173F - Hot Holding); Cooked chicken retemp (168F - Hot Holding) **Corrected On-Site**
03B-01-6
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 dish machine testing at 0ppm. Person in charge primed unit. Three compartment sink set up for use. Owner stated that he called servicing company and they are planning on servicing machine tomorrow, 8/14/2024. Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm) **Corrective Action Taken**
22-41-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed; four flying insects in front prep area at kitchen entrance. Two flying insects by grill station. Two flying insects by back prep station. Three flying insects by dish machine. One flying insect by soda syrup boxes in service station. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
35A-02-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener with debris build up. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at hand wash sink by back prep table. Person in charge provided soap. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed unlabeled spray bottle with toxic chemical.by back door. Person in charge moved to dish-wash area and labeled. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed a speaker and notepad on shelf above prep table. Person in charge moved to designated area. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed back screen door in disrepair with exposed bottom.
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor tiles cracked and in disrepair on cook line. **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed scoop in large bin of white powder with handle in contact with product. Person in charge removed and placed in dish. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed; soiled door handles on reach in cooler under cook line flip tops. Soiled door frames on reach in cooler under flip top cooler on cook line. Multiple soiled gaskets on reach in coolers throughout kitchen. Walk-in cooler door handle soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old label on metal pan in dry storage area by office.
16-46-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed unlabeled large bin of white powder. Person in charge indicated was sugar and labeled accordingly. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed CO2 tank by soda tower in service area not properly secured. **Repeat Violation**
51-11-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed mold like substance in interior of ice machine. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed multiple ceiling tiles in kitchen area not smooth and easily cleanable.
36-37-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed multiple ceiling tiles in disrepair throughout kitchen. One tile above grill area with exposed insulation.
36-32-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed grooved white cutting board on cook line.
14-09-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed; five dead roaches in bar area under three compartment sink and next to beer cooler. One dead roach in cabinet in men's restroom with chemicals. **Warning**
35A-03-4
18
Apr 30, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 5 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. In dry storage room next to back door, one can of tomatoes dented at seam. Manager segregated can.
01B-01-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Observed one small flying insect in kitchen area.
35A-02-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At manager office, raw beef (62F - Cold Holding). Beef sitting in manager office less than 1 hour, per manager. Employee placed into walk in cooler.
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Container of spicy chorizo prepared four days prior did not have date marking. Employee added date marking. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle of acid, per manager, found under dish machine was not labeled. Manager added label. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Gallon of milk in walk in cooler was opened two days prior according to manager was not dated. Employee dated. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board next to flip top cooler in kitchen has mold-like substance. Can opener blade soiled with old food.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Hand wash station by triple sink no soap. Manager supplied soap.
31B-03-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior of ice deflector has mold-like substance.
22-20-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Co2 tank at soda station not secure. **Repeat Violation**
51-11-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gaskets of standing reach in cooler are torn and hanging. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floor under fryer and stove top have grease build up. Standing reach in cooler has accumulation of build up on floor. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor tiles under fryer and several tiles in prep area are broken. **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. In manager office, tub of limes were on ground. Manager removed from ground. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tong hanging on stove handle in kitchen. Manager removed tongs. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filter has excess grease build up. Side of fryers have grease build up. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
26
Nov 28, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 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. At cook line, employee taking tortillas off flattop with bare hands. Inspector asked employee to put on gloves, tortillas reheated above 145f. **Corrected On-Site**
09-01-4
High Priority - Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink. At triple sinks, clear hose hanging in sink below flood rim. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
29-37-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. At prep table, can opener blade has build up. At wait station, soda nozzles on Pepsi dispensers have build up.
22-02-4
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/ At arrival for inspection, 4 employees present, no Certified Food Manager. Certified Food Manager arrived during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
53A-05-6
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Tank at soda dispenser not secured. **Repeat Violation**
51-11-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Multiple cooler gaskets torn. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. At cook line, cracked tiles. In walk-in cooler, metal flooring coming up. **Repeat Violation**
36-17-5
Basic - Floors, walls and/or ceilings soiled/has accumulation of debris. At cook line, wall behind flattop has grease build up. **Repeat Violation**
36-73-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. At server pickup station, scoop,in bulk sugar has handle touching product. **Repeat Violation**
10-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on flip top reach-in cooler soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. At cook line, bulk salt container on shelf by steam table not labeled. Employee labeled. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
43
May 17, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
29
Mar 1, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 6/1/2022 **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
Basic - Hotel and Restaurant license decal not displayed on vending machine. No decal on vending machine.
50-01-4
82
Oct 27, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
47
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Tapatio Original last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Tapatio Original on file is from Nov 3, 2025. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Tapatio Original?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at El Tapatio Original.
How does El Tapatio Original compare to other restaurants in Jacksonville?
El Tapatio Original most recently scored 47 out of 100, which is lower than the Jacksonville average of 74.
Has El Tapatio Original's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at El Tapatio Original have averaged around six 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 Original 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 Original inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Tapatio Original is inspected around four times per year on average.
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