Surcheros Fresh Mex
Last inspected: Oct 20, 2025
95
Score
Surcheros Fresh Mex has been inspected 11 times since 2022. On Oct 20, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near three violations per visit across recent inspections.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease”, showing up four times.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Tallahassee restaurant scores 87. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 20, 2025
Complaint Full
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - Food stored on floor. Tortillas stored in plastic tub on floor under front counter. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
95
Sep 24, 2025
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Soiled pan stored under food containers in walk in cooler.
22-02-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Tortillas stored in plastic tote on ground under assembly line.
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Accumulation of debris on walk in cooler floors and in corners.
23-03-4
82
Aug 25, 2025
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed food dumped inside microwave.
31A-11-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor behind frontline accumulated with food debris.
36-73-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood vents soiled with grease.
23-03-4
Basic - Bathroom facility not clean. Observed few pieces of toilet paper on floor in bathroom stall.
32-07-5
78
Dec 4, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Nov 4, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Per manager approximately six food handler employees hired over 60 days with no proof of food handler training. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-04: Per manager employee food handler training is in progress and is expected to be completed by the end of November 2024. Per manager approximately 30 employees hired over 60 days. **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
90
Oct 17, 2024
Complaint Full
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Rice at 120°F, Less than 4 hours per operator, holding unit turned up. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Sanitizer solution other than chlorine, quat or iodine not at the proper minimum strength listed in the manufacturer's instructions. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Wiping cloth bucket 170 ppm Smart Power.
22-51-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Salsa 55°F,56°F, two pans, Less than 4 hours per operator, improperly stored in prep table. Iced during inspection and put in walk-in. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Condiment prep table soiled.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. This violation is addressed on previous inspection.
53B-01-5
Basic - Sanitizing solution for wiping cloths not free of food debris and visible soil.
21-11-4
Basic - Sanitizer bucket stored on floor.
21-44-1
47
Sep 4, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed accumulation of debris on can opener blade in prep area.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Per manager approximately six food handler employees hired over 60 days with no proof of food handler training. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage containers on a food contact surface near food items at front line and prep area.
12B-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed mold-like substance surrounding ice chute at soda machine in dining area. Manager cleaned and sanitized ice chute area during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
23-03-4
74
Feb 21, 2024
Complaint Full
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed one employee hired over 60 days working at front line without food handler training.
53B-02-5
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. Observed approximately three employees hired within 60 days without proof of illness report agreement. Provided manager with Employee Illness Report Form via email. New employees signed Illness Report Forms during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
11-26-1
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed mold-like substance on interior walls of ice machine at prep area. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed accumulation of mold-like substance on soda machine near soda nozzles at dining area.
23-03-4
74
Sep 6, 2023
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
52
Dec 20, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed salsa in walk in cooler made at 9:36am cold held at 47F at 3pm. See stop sale.
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed salsa in walk in cooler made at 9:36am cold held at 47F at 3pm. See stop sale.
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Cook staff.
53B-13-5
67
Sep 23, 2022
Food-Licensing Inspection
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Surcheros Fresh Mex last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Surcheros Fresh Mex on file is from Oct 20, 2025. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Surcheros Fresh Mex?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Surcheros Fresh Mex.
How does Surcheros Fresh Mex compare to other restaurants in Tallahassee?
Surcheros Fresh Mex most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Tallahassee average of 87.
Has Surcheros Fresh Mex's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Surcheros Fresh Mex have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Surcheros Fresh Mex means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Surcheros Fresh Mex inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Surcheros Fresh Mex is inspected around four times per year on average.
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