Taco Rio Mexican Kitchen
Last inspected: Apr 1, 2026
61
Score
Taco Rio Mexican Kitchen has been inspected 11 times since 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Apr 1, 2026. A medium risk score generally means inspectors found things to fix, though most weren't urgent.
Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around seven violations per visit lately, up from roughly four violations before.
Across the inspection history, “ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded five times.
The city-wide average sits at 79, which Taco Rio Mexican Kitchen's 61 doesn't quite reach. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 1, 2026
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Back hand sink blocked by cart Operator moved cart **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Back hand sink missing paper towels
31B-02-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Case of Togo boxes stored on floor
25-05-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Water damage to ceiling tiles and holes in ceiling tiles in kitchen
36-32-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Green cutting board grooved
14-09-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Wiping cloth under cut board Operator moved cloth
21-04-4
Basic - Light not functioning. Hood light out
36-62-4
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Hand sink in kitchen working but plumbing is disrepair
29-08-4
61
Dec 29, 2025
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair, through out establishment. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-29: **Time Extended**
36-32-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-29: **Time Extended**
51-18-6
90
Oct 27, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 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 storage area glass door, reach in cooler Salsa 46F placed overnight, operator instructed to discard. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03D-02-5
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. **Warning**
01B-36-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at triple compartment sink hand wash sink. Operator restocked, **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31B-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. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact under microwave by dish machine . **Warning**
14-45-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair, through out establishment. **Warning**
36-32-5
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided operator **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
51-13-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available. **Warning**
51-18-6
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Sides of flat top soiled with grease and grime. **Warning**
23-03-4
45
Jan 23, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Chlorine test kit expired 2022
16-37-1
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Ceiling tile has water damage and hole front of kitchen and back storage area
36-32-5
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. No covered waste receptacle in women's room
32-12-5
Basic - Plumbing system in disrepair. Cold water handle missing hand sink kitchen
29-08-4
Basic - Standing water or very slow draining water in handwash sink, three-compartment sink, or mop sink. Hand sink kitchen slow drain
29-20-5
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Mop next to hand sink kitchen or stored to dry
42-01-4
70
Oct 7, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-09: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-07: License still expired **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ All manager certificates expired 8-6-24 **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-09: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-07: No food manager certificate found **Admin Complaint**
53A-03-7
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Hole in wall by back employee restroom **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-09: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-10-07: **Time Extended**
36-24-5
74
Aug 9, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-09: **Time Extended**
50-17-3
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ All manager certificates expired 8-6-24 **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-09: **Time Extended**
53A-03-7
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Hole in wall by back employee restroom **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-08-09: **Time Extended**
36-24-5
74
Aug 8, 2024
Routine - Food
5 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef store over pot of beef broth **Warning**
08A-05-6
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Pan carnitas dated 7-27 Pan pork belly dated 7-29 **Warning**
01B-24-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Clear 3 door cooler; pastor (53F - Cold Holding); enchiladas (54F - Cold Holding); chicken (48F - Cold Holding); cut lettuce (48F - Cold Holding); cooked rice (47-48F - Cold Holding); carnitas (51F - Cold Holding); beef (49F - Cold Holding) **Warning**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Clear 3 door cooler; pastor (53F - Cold Holding); enchiladas (54F - Cold Holding); chicken (48F - Cold Holding); cut lettuce (48F - Cold Holding); cooked rice (47-48F - Cold Holding); carnitas (51F - Cold Holding); beef (49F - Cold Holding) **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ All manager certificates expired 8-6-24 **Warning**
53A-03-7
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice machine soiled **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Hole in wall by back employee restroom **Warning**
36-24-5
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Case of Single service portion lids stored on floor by back 3 door cooler **Warning**
25-05-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Wall behind ice machine soiled **Warning**
36-27-5
35
Mar 29, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
64
Dec 11, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
52
Feb 21, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. - Tray with raw beef stored above cut lettuce in reach in cooler on cook line. Operator moved raw food away from ready to eat. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
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. - Paperwork provided. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. - Sink next to mop sink blocked by two mop buckets and rolling cart. Advised operator to not block for dishwasher to use. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. - Next to mop sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
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. - Paperwork provided. **Corrected On-Site**
11-26-1
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer. - Ice cream chest freezer next to cook line.
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease. - Ventilation hood has slight buildup. - Reach in freezer has splash at bottom interior.
23-03-4
Basic - Ten (10) foot-candles of light at least 30 inches from floor not provided in dry food storage area. - Light burned out above tall coolers next to tall reach in freezer.
38-05-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. - Missing tiles above soda cooler and black reach in cooler near cook line. Tiles with previous leak stains throughout facility.
36-32-5
47
Oct 11, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Washing Fruits and Vegetables
FL-42
52
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taco Rio Mexican Kitchen last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taco Rio Mexican Kitchen on file is from Apr 1, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Taco Rio Mexican Kitchen?
Across the inspection record, “ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Taco Rio Mexican Kitchen.
How does Taco Rio Mexican Kitchen compare to other restaurants in Orlando?
Taco Rio Mexican Kitchen most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Orlando average of 79.
Has Taco Rio Mexican Kitchen's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Taco Rio Mexican Kitchen have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Taco Rio Mexican Kitchen means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Taco Rio Mexican Kitchen inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Taco Rio Mexican Kitchen is inspected around three times per year on average.
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