Mexican Grill Cantina Don Patron
Last inspected: Apr 13, 2026
41
Score
Across the available record, Mexican Grill Cantina Don Patron has eight inspections on file, the first dated 2023. The most recent report on file is from Apr 13, 2026. A high risk rating points to multiple serious findings at the most recent inspection.
Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around nine violations lately compared to roughly six violations before.
Across the inspection history, “spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.
By comparison, the average Fernandina Beach facility scores 69, putting Mexican Grill Cantina Don Patron on the weaker side. There are enough flags in the record to merit a second thought.
8
Inspections
2
Critical latest
3
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 13, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken stored over cooked pork in drawers below the flat grill. Operator moved raw chicken to the bottom. Also, in reach-in freezer by the fryers, open raw pork tamales stored over fish. Operator rearranged products to proper storage. Also, in walk-in cooler, raw beef stored over bottled water and chilis. Operator rearranged products to proper storage.**Corrected On-Site** **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Can of spray paint stored with and against flour tortillas on dry storage shelving. Operator removed spray paint. **Corrected On-Site**
41-10-4
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. No written procedures available. Provided DBPR Form HR 50-104 and 5030-204. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Soap dispenser had only water. Operator refilled the soap dispenser. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled spray bottle with orange liquid on shelf under the chip dispenser. Operator identified contents as degreaser and labeled the bottle. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl used as a scoop in seasonings at back exit door. Operator removed the bowl. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee jacket and backpack stored on top of cases of tortillas in dry storage area. Operator removed personal items. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Faucet/handle missing/inoperable at plumbing fixture. Cold water valve on handwash sink by the fryers doesn't work.
29-09-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. No choking poster posted. Provided DBPR Form HR 5030-105. **Corrected On-Site**
51-13-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. Both dumpster lids are open. Employee closed lids. **Corrected On-Site**
33-16-4
Basic - Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walk-in cooler shelving has rust.
14-17-4
41
Jan 26, 2026
Routine - Food
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. Observed the following temps in the walk in cooler cooler, beef 46F, chicken 47F, re fried beans 47F, , Milk 46F, Tamales 46F, all cold holding, operator stated that regular fridge door had been left open for over an hour during food delivery. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-26: In walk-in cooler, metal pan of cooked beef temperature at 45F. Operator stated it was out 1 hour prior to heat some up for service then put back into walk-in cooler. All other Time/Temperature control for safety foods temperature at 41F or below. **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
86
Jan 12, 2026
Routine - Food
7 critical violations. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Salsa in walk in cooler at 46F, operator states that cooked cut peppers where added the day before and that it was left to sit out at room temperature overnight. **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Tamales in walk in cooler cooked at 12PM on 1/11/26, product observed at 2:00PM on 1/12/26 not date marked. Pork in walk in cooler cooked at 12PM on 1/11/26, product observed at 2:00PM on 1/12/26 not date marked
02C-01-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef over a ready to eat food in the reach in freezer at beginning of cook line. Operator relocated the beef **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Rice sitting at bottom of food prep table on cook line at 114F. Operator disposed of rice.
03B-01-6
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employee at stove, wearing gloves, touched raw food items and then touched a ready to eat food but never changed gloves or washed hands, Person in charge educated employee on hand washing procedures. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-07-5
High Priority - Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Salsa in walk in cooler at 46F, operator states that cooked cut peppers where added the day before and that that it was left to sit out at room temperature overnight.
03D-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed the following temps in the walk in cooler cooler, beef 46F, chicken 47F, re fried beans 47F, , Milk 46F, Tamales 46F, all cold holding, operator stated that regular fridge door had been left open for over an hour during food delivery. **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed Unlabeled spray with chemical substance in it bottle in bar area, employee labeled the bottle, Observed unlabeled spray bottle with chemicals substance at beginning of cook line, operator placed label on bottle. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink in hallway by dishwasher blocked by multiple items.
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Raw/undercooked animal food offered and establishment has no written consumer advisory. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service. Menu states that steak is only seared but has no consumer advisory on the menu or in food establishment. Operator printer and displayed consumer advisory. **Corrected On-Site**
02B-02-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed one box of cooking oil on floor at beginning of cook line. Operator picked up oil. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed utensils at bar area in container of water at 68F operators poured water out of container and cleaned utensils. **Corrected On-Site**
10-07-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Chili Rellano in reach freezer at beginning of food line not covered. Operator covers food. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed no handle scoop in bulk sugar container, operator removed the scoop. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed open container beverage above food prep area, employee removed cup. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment or utensils not designed or constructed in a durable manner. Multiple plastic spatulas in warewash area are chipped and cracked. Operator disposed of them on his own accord. **Corrected On-Site**
14-10-4
19
Mar 4, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
74
Oct 3, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. In dry storage area, one can of tomatoes is dented.
01B-01-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In cooler drawers below grill, raw chicken and raw beef stored over ready to eat onions and peppers. Items moved and stored correctly. In walk in cooler, raw shelled eggs stored over ready to eat oil. Items moved and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. Vacuum breaker missing at the end of the splitter for mop sink faucet where black hose is attached.
29-42-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No chlorine chemical test kit for dish machine.
16-37-1
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle containing chemical degreaser stored on shelf by dish machine in kitchen. Bottle labeled. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Two employee drinks stored in reach in cooler on cook line. Both drinks discarded. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Soda gun holsters at bar. Holsters cleaned during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
23-03-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available. Last inspection could not be provided.
51-18-6
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. On pass through window shelf, employee cell phone is stored. Cell phone moved and stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Hand washing sink in women's restroom. Manager placed up sign. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-04-4
41
Nov 1, 2023
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. In stand up freezer beef over chilli peppers, moved to store correctly **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
Intermediate - Soap dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense soap. Bar area and next to triple. Provided **Corrected On-Site**
31B-06-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Clear bottle with gold substance in side, labeled at time of inspection **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Plate in beans used as scoop , moved **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
67
Aug 28, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food in Good Condition, Safe, and Unadulterated
FL-13
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
43
May 25, 2023
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Mexican Grill Cantina Don Patron last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Mexican Grill Cantina Don Patron on file is from Apr 13, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Mexican Grill Cantina Don Patron?
Across the inspection record, “spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Mexican Grill Cantina Don Patron.
How does Mexican Grill Cantina Don Patron compare to other restaurants in Fernandina Beach?
Mexican Grill Cantina Don Patron most recently scored 41 out of 100, which is lower than the Fernandina Beach average of 69.
Has Mexican Grill Cantina Don Patron's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Mexican Grill Cantina Don Patron have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Mexican Grill Cantina Don Patron 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 Mexican Grill Cantina Don Patron inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Mexican Grill Cantina Don Patron is inspected around three times per year on average.
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