Mariachiles Mexican Restaurant

318 Saint Johns Ave, Palatka, FL 32177
Mexican / Latin
Last inspected: Oct 20, 2025
27
Score
High Risk

Inspectors have visited Mariachiles Mexican Restaurant 12 times, with records going back to 2022. On Oct 20, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. The high risk label is a heads-up that the most recent visit didn't go well.

The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around 12 violations to closer to nine violations per visit over the last few inspections.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting”, showing up four times.

Restaurants in Palatka average 75, so Mariachiles Mexican Restaurant trails the local norm. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.

12
Inspections
4
Critical latest
4
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 20, 2025
Complaint Full
4 critical violations. 4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. In flip top reach in cooler in covered, deep metal pan, rice (51F - Cooling) from previous night. Operator removed to be discarded. **Corrective Action Taken**
03D-02-5
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Chemical spray bottle of degreaser on shelf facing clean cutting boards. Operator relocated. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. In flip top reach in cooler in covered, deep metal pan, rice (51F - Cooling) from previous night. Operator removed to be discarded. **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. In walk in cooler, carnitas 10/5, shredded chicken 10/10, Barbacoa 10/3. Discussed with operator and removed to be discarded. **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-24-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Food residue staining on portable cutting board on bottom shelf of prep line. Can opener on prep table with debris build up on blade. Operator removed can opener to be washed. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand wash sink by three compartment sink. Employee provided. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. All food handler training documents with 2 year expiration dates instead of 3 years.
53B-10-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Chemical spray bottles of bleach and degreaser in dishwashing area not labeled. Operator asked employee to label. **Corrective Action Taken**
41-17-4
Basic - Clean utensils stored between equipment and wall. Clean knives stored behind three compartment sink metal board and wall.
24-14-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on backside of reach in cooler and shelf over steam table. Operator relocated. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. On bottom shelf of pass through window, clean metal containers stacked while wet. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Bulk container of chips stored on floor of waitstation area in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Cook line, tongs stored in oven door handle. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Cook line drawer reach in cooler door gaskets with food debris build up. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
27
Aug 11, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 7, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Raw sewage on ground of establishment. Three compartment sink draining waste water on to floor via plumbing connection under sinks. Employee stopped draining waste water and cleaned the ground under three compartment sink. Per operator employee on night shift can repair after 4pm. Discontinue using three compartment sink until repair can be made to prevent wastewater on ground of kitchen. **Warning**
28-13-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In glass door reach in cooler, raw shell egg over ready to eat salsa. In walk in cooler, raw shell eggs over ready to eat pork and beans. Operator had employee switch storage levels. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. All food handler training certificates with incorrect expiration dates, valid for 2 years instead of 3.
53B-10-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Debris build up on can opener blade. Bar gun soda dispenser with debris on the nozzle. Operator cleaned off nozzle. **Corrective Action Taken**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at hand wash sink by mop sink. Operator provided soap. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Chemical spray bottle of degreaser missing product labeling, employee labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Styrofoam cup used as scoop in bulk rice container.
14-01-5
Basic - Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Cardboard lining shelves next to hand wash sink. Operator had employee remove. **Corrected On-Site**
14-45-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. On bottom shelf of prep line, clean containers stacked while wet. **Repeat Violation**
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Employee preparing salsa with large pot on the floor. In walk in cooler, cut lettuce and marinade on floor. Employee relocated items in the walk in cooler. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Tongs stored on fryer handle and knife between wall and three compartment sink. Operator relocated both. **Corrected On-Site**
10-02-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave on cook line with melted cheese on the plate, employee removed and washed. **Corrected On-Site**
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Waitstation soda dispenser has mold like substance on plate over nozzles. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. In walk in freezer, uncovered tray of chile rellenos. **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
33
Feb 14, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
41
Aug 1, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
37
Jan 11, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In the three door reach in cooler in the prep area, raw shell eggs over ready to eat salsa. In the standup reach in freezer, frozen raw beef over frozen chicken nuggets both items opened from original packaging. Operator corrected all storage levels. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Employee touched soiled apron/clothes and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee wipe gloves on apron and towel then begin to prepare customer order.
12A-28-4
High Priority - Container of medicine improperly stored. Employee bottle of DayQuil stored on shelf over tortillas on the main cook line. Operator relocated the employee medicine. **Corrected On-Site**
41-07-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. On the bottom storage shelf of the warewashing area, clean portable green cutting board with black food residue staining spots. Employee began to scrub the cutting board. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand wash sink on the main cook line by the standup reach in cooler or at hand wash sink in the bar area. Operator provided paper towels. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. At the front wait station closest to the bar area, sanitizer spray bottle with no product labeling. Operator labeled the chemical spray bottle. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Plastic soufflé portion cups used as scoops in bulk seasoning containers. **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. On the shelf over the three compartment sink, clean metal pots not inverted. On top of the bulk ice bin, blue ice bucket not inverted. Operator asked employee to invert the pots and ice bucket. **Corrective Action Taken**
24-05-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee speaker over open container of cooked tortilla shells on the main cook line. Employee jacket over dry goods on shelf by the hand wash sink. Employee relocated all personal items. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean plastic cups stored by the soda dispenser and next to the three compartment sink stacked while wet. Discussed with the dish washing employee. **Corrective Action Taken**
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Oil stored on the floor of the main cook line. Operator asked employee to relocate. **Corrective Action Taken**
08B-38-4
Basic - Garbage can located outside has no lid or lid open/broken. Dumpster missing lid. **Repeat Violation**
33-15-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs stored on oven and fryer door handle on the main cook line. Operator relocated the tongs. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Dust build up on hood filters over fryers, scheduled to be cleaned on Monday per operator. White mold like substance spots on soda dispenser plate over nozzle. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. In the reach in freezer, uncovered raw beef. In the prep area reach in cooler, uncovered containers of salsa.
08B-12-5
30
Aug 15, 2023
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 12 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
No Bare Hand Contact with Ready-to-Eat Food
FL-09
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
25
Jun 16, 2023
Complaint Partial
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed single service items stored on floor in storage area. Person in charge placed single service boxes on racks. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
Basic - Unnecessary items/unused equipment on the premises. Observed multiple pieces of unused equipment stored inside of establishment making it hard for employees to clean around them. Discussed with person in charge.
33-31-5
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed 1 dead roach on tray used to stored drinking glasses. Person in charge brought all cups and tray to dish area for sanitation. Person in charge removed dead roach from establishment. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
35A-03-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor in kitchen soiled with grease and food debris.
36-73-4
82
May 9, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
May 8, 2023
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Beef in strainer above hot holding unit at 105F. Person in charge began reheating. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In fliptop sour cream cheese, cheese, shrimp 50-52F. Person in charge has had lids open for lunch rush, person in charge moved items to unit holding temperature. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed two rodent droppings in raised storage area in dining room. Person in charge discarded. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
35A-04-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In glass door reach in cooler raw shell eggs over bread. Also in reach in freezer raw beef no longer commercially packaged stored over open package of fries. Person in charge moved to appropriate location. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. 0ppm at triple sink, person in charge remade to 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site**
22-42-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink in kitchen with case of cans stored on it. Person in charge removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Cups at server station wet nesting.
24-08-4
Basic - Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink, three-compartment sink, or mop sink. Mop sink in room next to back door with standing water. Person in charge fixed during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
29-20-5
Basic - Wood food-contact surface not properly sealed. Wood panel on shelf in kitchen unsealed.
14-06-4
37
Aug 19, 2022
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Aug 3, 2022
Complaint Full
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In large flip top across from cookline tomato, sour cream, cheese, beans 55-59F, person in charge states has been in unit for less than 4 hours, moved all items to other units holding temperature during inspection. Ambient temperature of unit 57F. Do not utilize unit until holding items at 41F or below. In bottom drawer shrimp and chicken 44-46F person in charge states drawer has been open for lunch rush, iced items down during inspection. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2022-08-03: In large flip top sour cream, tomato, corn, beans, lettuce 36-43 items held on ice in unit. In bottom of unit pork, cheese 50-52F. In unit overnight per person in charge. Person in charge discarded. Operator states will keep items on ice until unit is fixed. In bottom drawer below cookline shrimp, chicken 41F. **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
86

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Mariachiles Mexican Restaurant last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Mariachiles Mexican Restaurant on file is from Oct 20, 2025. The public record contains 12 inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Mariachiles Mexican Restaurant?

Across the inspection record, “equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Mariachiles Mexican Restaurant.

How does Mariachiles Mexican Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Palatka?

Mariachiles Mexican Restaurant most recently scored 27 out of 100, which is lower than the Palatka average of 75.

Has Mariachiles Mexican Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Mariachiles Mexican Restaurant have averaged around nine violations per visit, down from roughly 12 earlier in the record.

What does a high risk rating mean?

A high risk rating at Mariachiles Mexican Restaurant 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 Mariachiles Mexican Restaurant inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Mariachiles Mexican Restaurant is inspected around four times per year on average.