The Better Taco
Last inspected: Jan 29, 2026
70
Score
The Better Taco appears in inspection records eight times, starting in 2022. On Jan 29, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around six violations to closer to three violations per visit over the last few inspections.
The pattern that stands out is “food-contact surface soiled with food debris”, which has been cited four times.
The Better Taco's latest score is in line with the Virginia Gardens average of 71. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
8
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 29, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw shell eggs over avocados inside reach in cooler in kitchen. Operator stored foods as per safety storage requirements. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed at HWS by kitchen entrance. Operator provided paper towel. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-02-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed inside reach in freezer by prep table in kitchen.
14-69-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed inside white microwave on shelf in kitchen.
22-08-4
70
Oct 9, 2025
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 soiled can opener blade in kitchen.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed at hand washing station in kitchen. Operator provided paper towel. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed beverage reach in cooler gaskets soiled at front counter.
23-03-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed birria containers uncovered inside reach in cooler in kitchen. Operator covered containers. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
74
Mar 3, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
90
Sep 27, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef over cooked shredded beef at reach in cooler in back of kitchen area. Employee removed and stored properly during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge failed to notify the division of employee diagnosed with Norovirus, Hepatitis A, Shigella spp., Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, Typhoid fever (caused by Salmonella Typhi) or Salmonella (nontyphoidal).
11-01-5
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.
11-26-1
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked.
02C-02-5
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted.
51-13-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed air vents soiled with black substance at kitchen area.
36-34-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.
23-03-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name.
02D-01-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloths used for occasional spills on equipment food- and nonfood-contact surfaces not clean. **Repeat Violation**
21-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items.
40-06-5
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed to go containers at front counter not inverted . Employee inverted containers during inspection. **Corrected On-Site**
25-05-4
45
May 2, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw beef over cooked soup inside reach in cooler. Operator stored products correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled can opener blade on prep table inside kitchen. Operator sent can opener to be washed. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet towels throughout kitchen. Operator stored towels inside bucket with sanitizer. **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
74
Nov 16, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled can opener blade inside kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed plastic cup stored inside chicken seasoning container under prep table inside kitchen. Operator removed cup. **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed personal phone stored on prep table inside kitchen. Operator removed phone. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed sugar container not labeled under prep table inside kitchen. Operator labeled it. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
78
Jun 15, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
58
Nov 17, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet. **Repeat Violation**
29-42-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soiled can opener blade inside kitchen. Employee cleaned it. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Basic - Clean equipment/utensils not stored at least 6 inches above the floor. Observed clean pots stored on kitchen floor. Operator removed them from floor. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
24-26-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed plastic bottles of water stored on kitchen floor. Operator removed them from floor. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was The Better Taco last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at The Better Taco on file is from Jan 29, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at The Better Taco?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at The Better Taco.
How does The Better Taco compare to other restaurants in Virginia Gardens?
The Better Taco most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is about the same as the Virginia Gardens average of 71.
Has The Better Taco's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at The Better Taco have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at The Better Taco 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 The Better Taco inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, The Better Taco is inspected around two times per year on average.
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