Garcia's Taco Express
Last inspected: Dec 19, 2025
41
Score
The health department has logged nine inspections at Garcia's Taco Express, the earliest from 2023. On Dec 19, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. High risk usually means inspectors flagged either critical violations or a stack of smaller ones.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near eight violations per visit across recent inspections.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “food-contact surface soiled with food debris”, showing up four times.
The city-wide average sits at 70, which Garcia's Taco Express' 41 doesn't quite reach. The pattern in the record is worth a careful look.
9
Inspections
2
Critical latest
2
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 19, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
41
Sep 2, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 8 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
52
Nov 6, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Slicer blade soiled.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle with chemical not labeled on shelves above mop sink. Owner removed and put label on it. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine.
22-20-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed five ceiling tiles in the storage area and five in the kitchen area that are damaged.
36-32-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling above the cook line soiled.
36-34-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket is torn on the reach in cooler door, towards the back of kitchen.
14-11-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters on the exhaust fan, are soiled, on the cook line.
23-03-4
64
Aug 29, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Handwash sink does not have enough water pressure to properly wash hands. Hand washing sink across from the cook line has very low pressure. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-29: **Time Extended**
27-19-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. 2x3 foot hole in the wall in the dry storage area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-29: **Time Extended**
36-24-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-29: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling tile missing. 5 ceiling tiles missing in the back storage area. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-29: **Time Extended**
36-36-4
78
Aug 28, 2024
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Food/ice received from unapproved source/no invoice provided to verify source. See Stop Sale. 6 flats of eggs stored at room temperature in the front counter area. The operator stated the eggs came from the owners farm and were for sale to the customers, no invoice was available. Operator discarded the eggs. **Admin Complaint**
01A-05-4
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken stored over raw beef in the reach in cooler across from the cook line. Operator removed the chicken. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed approximately 10 live roaches under the stand up reach in cooler across from the cook line. **Warning**
35A-05-4
High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 10 rodent droppings next to the three compartment sink in the kitchen. Observed approximately 15 rodent droppings under the dry storage shelves in the dry storage area. **Warning**
35A-04-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food originating from an unapproved source. 6 flats of eggs stored at room temperature in the front counter area. The operator stated the eggs came from the owners farm and were for sale to the customers, no invoice was available. Operator discarded the eggs. **Admin Complaint**
01B-04-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled. **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink does not have enough water pressure to properly wash hands. Hand washing sink across from the cook line has very low pressure. **Warning**
27-19-4
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. 5 ceiling tiles missing in the back storage area. **Warning**
36-36-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. observed approximately 30 dead roaches under the stand up reach in cooler across from the cook line. **Warning**
35A-03-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drinks stored next to and on the slicer. Employee removed the drinks. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-07-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors soiled under all reach in coolers in the kitchen and the dry storage racks in the dry storage area. **Warning**
36-73-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. 2x3 foot hole in the wall in the dry storage area. **Warning**
36-24-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled. **Warning**
23-03-4
29
Nov 8, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener with old food debris on blade. Manager moved to dishwash. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Soap dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense soap at front counter handsink. Manager provided new soap dispenser. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-06-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed twist off top water bottle stored on shelf with tortillas at kitchen. Manager removed. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed electronic tablet stored with clean dishes beside prep table at kitchen. Manager removed. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Food stored in a location that is exposed to splash/dust. Observed open cooler on floor, full of paper wrapped tortillas stored beside handsink at kitchen. Manager moved to a safe location. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-36-4
67
Jul 25, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris,. Observed old food debris on slicer after cleaning.
22-02-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed bowl used to scoop dry rice at dry storage bulk container.
14-01-5
Basic - Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Observed old torn and grease laden cardboard under microwave at kitchen.
14-05-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Grease receptacle lid open, broken, or missing.
33-29-4
Basic - Hood ventilation system inadequate as evidenced by grease accumulation on walls/ceiling. Observed grease buildup and dripping off hood filters over stove in kitchen. Dust and grease on vents at front of hood.
36-68-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed exterior of microwave soiled with food splatter.
23-03-4
67
Feb 21, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed pineapple morchata (58F - Cold Holding) in container at front counter. Operator added ice to bin to bring product to 41F within 4 hours.
03A-02-5
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. Inspector provided handout. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed handsink at back prep area blocked by boxes.
31A-09-4
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. The direct link to the Plan Review page is http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Observed drink station and handsink added at front area no plan review.
51-16-7
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. Inspector provided handout. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles.
23-24-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed broken gasket on reach in glass front cooler at back prep. Operator states gasket is on order. **Corrective Action Taken**
14-11-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Operator had employee make sanitizer to store cloths. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
50
Jan 10, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Garcia's Taco Express last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Garcia's Taco Express on file is from Dec 19, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Garcia's Taco Express?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Garcia's Taco Express.
How does Garcia's Taco Express compare to other restaurants in Wauchula?
Garcia's Taco Express most recently scored 41 out of 100, which is lower than the Wauchula average of 70.
Has Garcia's Taco Express' inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Garcia's Taco Express have averaged around eight violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Garcia's Taco Express 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 Garcia's Taco Express inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Garcia's Taco Express is inspected around three times per year on average.
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