El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant
Last inspected: Feb 3, 2026
61
Score
Going back to 2022, El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant has nine inspections in the public record. On Feb 3, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around six violations, down from roughly eight violations earlier in the record.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust”, showing up four times.
That's lower than the typical Lehigh Acres restaurant, which scores around 78. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
8
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 3, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 9 violations
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.
53B-13-5
Basic - Accumulation of lime scale on the inside of the dishmachine.
16-23-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured in storage room.
51-11-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.
13-03-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach-in cooler across from cook line gasket torn.
14-11-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair.
36-17-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. The manager removed tongs from equipment. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container of rice in storage room. The manager removed scooper from containers of rice. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
61
Aug 4, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed buildup of food debris on the can opener blade. Operator moved for cleaning. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed 6" plate on cooked shredded chicken bulk bin in the walk in cooler. Operator removed plate. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed ice scoop handle in contact with ice in the kitchen servers soda dispenser. Operator moved ice scoop. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed stuffed poblano peppers in walk in freezer not covered. Operator covered. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed walk in cooler shelves rusted. **Repeat Violation**
14-17-4
74
Mar 28, 2025
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed buildup of food debris on reach in cooler and walk in cooler door handles. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-28: **Time Extended**
23-24-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed build up of food debris on walk in cooler shelves. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-28: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed walk in cooler shelves rusted. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-03-28: **Time Extended**
14-17-4
86
Jan 15, 2025
Routine - Food
5 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
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/ observed no certified food manager present with 4 employees working. **Warning**
53A-05-6
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at hand wash sink next to the dishwasher. **Warning**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ observed food manager certificate is expired. **Warning**
53A-03-7
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed build up of food substance on can opener blade. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed container of sugar and beverage in hand wash sink at the inside bar operator removed items. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-09-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed brown slime like material on interior of ice machine. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed buildup of food debris on reach in cooler and walk in cooler door handles. **Warning**
23-24-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed dust like substance on ceiling tiles and vents. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-34-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed build up of food debris on walk in cooler shelves. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed walk in cooler shelves rusted. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
14-17-4
47
Aug 7, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed unlabeled white spray bottle on table next to the floor mixer.
41-17-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed bulk containers of prepared pulled chicken and cooked ground taco meat not date marked in The walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling tiles with built up of dust/grease on ceiling tiles.
36-34-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed buildup of ice in walk in freezer on the door and on the condenser.
14-69-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed ice scoop handle in contact with ice in the large ice maker near the rear exit door. **Repeat Violation**
10-08-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on walk in cooler door soiled with food debris.
23-03-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed rust on the shelves in the walk in cooler.
14-17-4
64
Dec 5, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed prescription medicine bottle on top shelf above plate line on right hand side of cook line. Operator removed medicine. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-07-4
Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Paper towels unable to be dispensed at dispenser on cook line next to fryers. Operator replaced batteries. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-05-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed 5 gallon bulk buckets of sauce, bulk bins of cooked beef, cooked chicken and cooked pork in walk in cooler prepared over 24 hours in advance according to staff not date marked. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed build up of food debris on walk in cooler door handle.
23-24-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed ice scoop handle in contact with ice in bin in kitchen. Operator moved ice scoop. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no handwash sign at sink next to dishwashing area.
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed buildup of food debris on walk in cooler shelves.
23-03-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed no handle bowl in contact with sugar in bulk sugar bin in kitchen next to hot box. Operator removed bowl. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
55
Sep 29, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Observed chest congestion medicine on cook-line with utensils. Operator moved medicine. **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed beef, chicken wings, cooked shredded chicken and various 5 gal containers of sauce, beans, and fresh salsa not date marked, prepared over 24 hours.
02C-02-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed co2 tanks not secured in dry storage.
51-11-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs stored on gas line next to fryer. Operator moved tongs to other location. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed no ambient thermometers inside reach in coolers. Operator located behind food item. **Corrected On-Site**
05-09-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in door gaskets soiled with food debris.
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed poblano stuffed peppers on walk in freezer not covered or wrapped. Operator wrapped trays of peppers. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
61
Feb 20, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
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. Emailed appropriate information
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. Emailed appropriate information
11-26-1
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee cooking without hair restraint. Operator provided hats to employee. **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed gasket loose on walk in cooler door.
14-11-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup in walk in freezer.
14-69-4
70
Nov 18, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Dishmachine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed 00 ppm chlorine off the surface of a plate after being ran three times. Operator set up manual sanitation in three compartment sink. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-18: **Time Extended**
22-49-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed all products in walk in cooler stated as being made yesterday not labeled with time and day of preparation. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-11-18: Observed items in walk in have not been date marked. **Time Extended**
02C-02-5
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant on file is from Feb 3, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant.
How does El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Lehigh Acres?
El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Lehigh Acres average of 78.
Has El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant have averaged around six violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at El Tarasco 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 Tarasco Mexican Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
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