Elle Cocina
Last inspected: Mar 3, 2026
39
Score
Elle Cocina has been inspected nine times since 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Mar 3, 2026. A high risk rating points to multiple serious findings at the most recent inspection.
The picture has gotten worse over the last few visits, with the average climbing from around four violations to closer to seven violations.
“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.
Compared to other Trenton restaurants (averaging 66), there's room to close the gap. This restaurant has more on its record than most do.
9
Inspections
4
Critical latest
0
Major latest
7
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 3, 2026
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. One reduced oxygen package of frozen cooked pork prepared and vacuum sealed on site missing time mark, but has date mark of 1/28 inside reach-in freezer at end of kitchen.
01B-13-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Inside top of refrigerated make-table: 1. pico (45F - Cold Holding); grilled onions (45F - Cold Holding). An employee stated both items were filled from the walk-in cooler approximately 15 minutes prior and may have sat on the table too long. The employee spread both items on a sheet pan and placed them into the walk-in cooler to cool to 41F. pico (45F 2:45, 41F 3:25 - Cooling); grilled onions (45F 2:45, 38F 3:25 - Cooling) 2. salsa (45F - Cold Holding). Manager stated the salsa has been stored inside the refrigerated make-table since the previous day and has not been removed from refrigeration. Stop sale issued. 3. Inside reach-in cooler at end of kitchen: meatballs (46F - Cold Holding). Manager stated the meatballs have been stored inside the refrigerated make-table since Thursday and have not been removed from refrigeration today. Stop sale issued. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Several spray bottles containing glass cleaner and stainless steel polish stored on shelf beside box containing tea on lower shelf of prep table in drive-through area. An employee removed all chemicals from the shelf during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
41-10-4
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Several pans of pico prepared today read "Use by: 3/24" on shelf inside reach-in cooler at end of kitchen. Manager added new labels to the pico during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on shelf above mayonnaise on dry storage rack. Manager removed the drink from the shelf during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. One co2 tank not secured near mop sink.
51-11-4
Basic - Building components, attachments or fixtures in poor repair. Back door of kitchen has a hole leading to outside and large gap below the door.
36-51-4
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Ceiling above warewash area soiled with dust.
36-50-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Pan containing cauliflower rice thawing on top of reach-in freezer at room temperature. The cauliflower rice is still frozen. Manager moved the cauliflower rice back into a cooler to continue to thaw under refrigeration. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food packaged using a reduced oxygen method without a HACCP plan not removed from its package within 48 hours after packaging. One reduced oxygen package of frozen cooked pork prepared and vacuum sealed on site missing time mark, but has date mark of 1/28 inside reach-in freezer at end of kitchen. Stop sale issued.
03G-54-1
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food packaged using a reduced oxygen method without a HACCP plan not properly labeled with the production time and date. Several reduced oxygen packages of grilled mushrooms that are cooked and vacuum sealed on site not individually labeled with time and date. Manager added proper labeling to all items during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
03G-53-1
39
Aug 27, 2025
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Bottle containing ibuprofen stored on shelf directly above case of tortillas in kitchen near cookline. Manager removed medicine from the shelf during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Inside reach-in cooler near cookline: black beans (49F - Cold Holding). Ambient air temperature is 57F. Employee stated the cooler was working properly just one hour before. Employee moved the beans into the walk-in cooler to cool to 41F and unplugged the cooler to let it defrost. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Several bottles containing "Windex" glass cleaner and "The Works" bathroom cleaner stored on shelf directly above prep table containing salt, drink mixers, and drink dispenser. Manager removed all chemicals from the shelf during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling above warewash area soiled with dust. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor in kitchen worn and/or cracked.
36-17-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on prep table in kitchen near walk-in cooler. Employee removed the phone from the table during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
55
Feb 21, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
67
Sep 10, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. Two flies flying in kitchen near cookline. One fly storage shelf near cookline.
35A-02-6
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. On shelf inside walk-in cooler: brisket (73F - Cooling 3 hours); brisket (84F - Cooling 3 hours). Labels on both pans show the brisket was cooked at 10:30am. Manager stated the brisket began cooling between 11am and 12pm. Both pans of brisket are cooling in deep covered pans.
01B-36-5
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within 2 hours. On shelf inside walk-in cooler: brisket (73F - Cooling 3 hours); brisket (84F - Cooling 3 hours). Labels on both pans show the brisket was cooked at 10:30am. Manager stated the brisket began cooling between 11am and 12pm. Both pans of brisket are cooling in deep covered pans. Stop sales issued.
03D-01-5
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. On shelf inside walk-in cooler: brisket (73F - Cooling 3 hours); brisket (84F - Cooling 3 hours). Labels on both pans show the brisket was cooked at 10:30am. Manager stated the brisket began cooling between 11am and 12pm. Both pans of brisket are cooling in deep covered pans. Stop sales issued.
03D-15-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle containing sanitizer missing label hanging on wall near server station. Manager added proper label during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. 1. Ceiling tile above storage rack in kitchen stained. 2. Ceiling tile near walk-in cooler door stained. 3. Air vent in server station soiled with dust.
36-50-4
Basic - Worn, torn and/or soiled floors/carpeting. Damaged and peeling floor in several station.
36-10-4
47
Apr 2, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
61
Mar 11, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Nov 2, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Inside reach-in cooler drawer at cookline: two ROP packages of salmon thawed inside ROP package. Package states to remove fish from packaging before thawing. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
01B-13-4
High Priority - Nonfood-grade containers used for food storage - direct contact with food. Tortilla chip bins lined with nonfood-grade trash bags. Manager removed liner from bins during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
14-15-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle containing sanitizer missing label at kitchen entrance. Manager added proper label during this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Operator is doing a special process, conducting reduced oxygen packaging, cooking time/temperature control for safety food to a time and temperature combination lesser than those in the Food Code or operating a molluscan shellfish tank for human consumption without a HACCP plan approved by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Establishment is using reduced oxygen packaging with cooked and cooled TCS foods. Establishment does not have an approved HACCP or variance. Inspector provided special process guidance handout and sent operator an email with a link to special processes on the DBPR website. http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/special-process/#1678822013930-f26ccafa-af2d **Warning**
03G-50-1
Intermediate - Records/documents for required employee training appear to be falsified. Three food handler cards with whiteout covering original name and dates, written over in pen.
53B-11-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Co2 tank not secured near boxed sodas at kitchen entrance. Manager secured co2 tank durable this inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
51-11-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Air vents above warewash area soiled with dust.
36-34-5
Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Inside reach-in cooler drawer at cookline: two ROP packages of salmon thawed inside ROP package. Package states to remove fish from packaging before thawing. Stop sale issued.
06-09-1
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink cup on shelf beside clean plan lids at cookline.
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Wet nested plastic pans on lower shelf of prep table in back of kitchen near walk-in cooler.
24-08-4
43
May 18, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
58
Dec 22, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Items in wait station kitchen reach-in cooler next to coffee maker: cheese (45F - Cold Holding); tomatoes (44F - Cold Holding). Manager stated items placed in cooler 2 hours prior to temperature being taken. Manager placed items in bottom of reach-in cooler to reduce temperature to 41F. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Blade of can opener on kitchen prep table. Manager had employee clean can opener blade. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Outside of chip containers in wait station.
23-03-4
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee food on shelf in walk-in cooler. Manager placed food in pan designated for employee food. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-49-4
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Elle Cocina last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Elle Cocina on file is from Mar 3, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Elle Cocina?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Elle Cocina.
How does Elle Cocina compare to other restaurants in Trenton?
Elle Cocina most recently scored 39 out of 100, which is lower than the Trenton average of 66.
Has Elle Cocina's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Elle Cocina have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Elle Cocina 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 Elle Cocina inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Elle Cocina is inspected around three times per year on average.
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