El Zocalo Mexican Restaurant
Last inspected: Feb 11, 2026
61
Score
The health department has logged 14 inspections at El Zocalo Mexican Restaurant, the earliest from 2022. The most recent report on file is from Feb 11, 2026. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around 10 violations per visit versus roughly six violations earlier in the record.
The pattern that stands out is “exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens”, which has been cited seven times.
El Zocalo Mexican Restaurant's latest score of 61 falls below the Sanford average of 77. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
14
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 11, 2026
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
61
Sep 29, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
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 Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
29
Apr 15, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. -pan of tamales in walk-in cooler dated 4/5/2025
01B-24-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. -handwash sink on left at entrance to kitchen used to fill plastic container with water
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. -handwash sink on right at entrance to kitchen, operator restocked **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. -purple solution lacking label, operator labeled **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. **Corrected On-Site**
10-17-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. -provided Choking First Aid Procedures poster **Corrective Action Taken**
51-13-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. -handwash sink on right at entrance to kitchen, operator posted sign **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. -soda gun holster in large bar area is soiled
23-03-4
Basic - Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. -cup of forks on front line, operator inverted **Corrected On-Site**
24-18-4
Basic - Waste line missing at soda gun holster. -in large bar area
29-17-4
45
Nov 18, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
45
Jun 12, 2024
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Water treatment device has not been inspected or serviced according to manufacturer's instructions. - ice machine water filter dated 3/16/22 **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-06-12: **Time Extended**
29-28-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. - triple sink plumbing leaking onto floor at main bar - hand wash sink at cook line with hot water line cut. There are other hand wash sink nearby. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-06-12: **Time Extended**
29-08-4
86
Jun 11, 2024
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within 2 hours. - salsa >5 hours (103F - Cooling); - shredded chicken >5 hours (113F - Cooling) Kitchen manager states 5 hours ago. Not able to determine when 135f was achieved. See stop sale **Warning**
03D-01-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Low boy cooler - beef (44f-45fF); - chicken (44f-45fF - Cold Holding) Walk in cooler - refried beans held overnight (45f-48f) **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. - at hand wash sink at main bar **Warning**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Water treatment device has not been inspected or serviced according to manufacturer's instructions. - ice machine water filter dated 3/16/22 **Warning**
29-28-4
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. - cook wearing watch **Warning**
13-07-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. - tongs on oven door handle. Manager removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
10-20-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. - triple sink plumbing leaking onto floor at main bar - hand wash sink at cook line with hot water line cut. There are other hand wash sink nearby. **Warning**
29-08-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. - cook line cooler **Warning**
29-49-6
50
Apr 11, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. 0 ppm corrected to 200 ppm **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
22-43-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. -handwash at front of restaurant **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. In dish room **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Original container of toxic substance or chemical does not bear the manufacturer's label. -spray bottle with yellow liquid
41-21-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. -red board in dish area **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. -employee drinks above prep table in dish room
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. -oil next to reach in cooler **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. 2 sets tongs on oven door **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
52
Dec 14, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 5 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 16 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 chicken (pollo linea) at 53°f. Chicken for pollo linea cooked and placed in walk in cooler yesterday.
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. Cooked chicken (pollo linea) at 53°f. Chicken for pollo linea cooked and placed in walk in cooler yesterday.
01B-36-5
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Quaternary ammonium at 0ppm, corrected to 200ppm.
22-42-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing, ice dumped into handwash sink in server area.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink, bar area.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Birria and tamales in walk in cooler.
02C-04-5
Intermediate - Probe thermometer not within the intended measuring range of use. Probe thermometer only able to measure the temperature of hot foods.
05-03-4
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink, bar area.
27-16-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. -soufflé cup used to dispense salt.
14-01-5
Basic - Cloth used as a food-contact surface. Cloth used to cover empanada filling. **Corrected On-Site**
21-05-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside.
35B-01-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice, bar area.
10-08-5
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment.
10-17-4
Basic - Interior of microwave has accumulation of food debris.
22-08-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees, bar area.
31B-04-4
26
Jul 13, 2023
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Front dining room door. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-04: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-06-05: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-06: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-13: **Time Extended**
35B-01-4
95
Jul 6, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Items in Ceviche. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-04: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-06-05: Time extension given: waiting on new menus. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-06: Menu stated raw shrimp and tilapia cooked in lime juice , ginger . **Time Extended**
02B-01-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Front dining room door. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-04: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-06-05: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-06: **Time Extended**
35B-01-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Ladies restroom. Bar. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-04: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-06-05: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-06: Bar time extended **Time Extended**
31B-04-4
82
Jun 5, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Items in Ceviche. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-04: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-06-05: Time extension given: waiting on new menus. **Time Extended**
02B-01-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Front dining room door. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-04: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-06-05: **Time Extended**
35B-01-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Ladies restroom. Bar. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-04: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-06-05: **Time Extended**
31B-04-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior of ice machine soiled. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-04-04: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-06-05: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
78
Oct 31, 2022
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. Walk in cooler: rice (51F - Cooling); cooked beans (49F - Cooling). See Stop Sale. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-10-31: No TCS Foods cooking at time of call back. **Time Extended**
03D-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Bar. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-10-31: **Time Extended**
51-11-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Front doors. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-10-31: **Time Extended**
35B-01-4
78
Aug 10, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Bar. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-11: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-10: **Time Extended**
27-16-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Rear bar door. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-11: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-10: **Time Extended**
35B-01-4
86
Jul 11, 2022
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board stained. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-11: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. Establishment submitted plans, but did not include ice machine located outside and inside. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-11: Remodeled plans received in Plan Review (06/13/2022), Tallahassee, but have not been approved. **Time Extended**
51-16-7
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Bar. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-11: **Time Extended**
27-16-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Unprotected ice machine in a customer/nonsecure area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-11: **Time Extended**
08B-62-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Bar. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-11: **Time Extended**
51-11-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-11: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Rear bar door. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-11: **Time Extended**
35B-01-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Stored on ice machine. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-11: **Time Extended**
10-12-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled with grease. Exterior of ice machine. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-11: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Zocalo Mexican Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Zocalo Mexican Restaurant on file is from Feb 11, 2026. The public record contains 14 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Zocalo Mexican Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens” has been cited seven times, more than any other issue at El Zocalo Mexican Restaurant.
How does El Zocalo Mexican Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Sanford?
El Zocalo Mexican Restaurant most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Sanford average of 77.
Has El Zocalo Mexican Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at El Zocalo Mexican Restaurant have averaged around 10 violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at El Zocalo 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 Zocalo Mexican Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Zocalo Mexican Restaurant is inspected around four times per year on average.
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