Casa Balam Cocina Mexicana

201 W Ponce De Leon Ave Ste D, Decatur, GA 30030

Mexican / Latin

License: Food Service

Last inspected: Apr 1, 2026

Score

Medium Risk

Public records show three inspections at Casa Balam Cocina Mexicana stretching back to 2024. The newest entry in the record is dated Apr 1, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.

Recent inspections have turned up more issues than earlier ones, averaging around five violations lately compared to roughly two violations before.

That's lower than the typical Decatur restaurant, which scores around 86. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Apr 1, 2026

Routine

1 critical violation. 4 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.

View 5 violations

8-2B - toxic substances properly identified, stored, used

Inspector notes: Observed a can of ant/roach spray stored in the main kitchen. Can must be removed from premises. A restricted use pesticide shall be applied only by an applicator certified as defined in 7 USC 136 Definitions, (e) Certified Applicator, of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, or a person under the direct supervision of a certified applicator.

511-6-1.07(6)(l)

13A - posted: permit/inspection/choking poster/handwashing

Inspector notes: Upon arrival, the most current food service inspection was not posted. The most current inspection report shall be prominently displayed in public view at all times, within fifteen feet of the front or primary public door and between five feet and seven feet from the floor and in an area where it can be read at a distance of one foot away.

511-6-1.02(1)(d)

14B - utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried, handled

Inspector notes: Observed pans stacked without being air dried. Utensils must be allowed to air dry prior to stacking.

511-6-1.05(10)(a)

12A - contamination prevented during food preparation, storage, display (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed a tray of tortilla shells stored next to hand wash sink in main kitchen. COS shells were relocated. food shall be protected from contamination by storing the food: -In a clean, dry location; -Where it is not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination; and -At least 6 inches (15 cm) above the floor.

511-6-1.04(4)(q)

13A - posted: permit/inspection/choking poster/handwashing

Inspector notes: Facility has unpaid food service permit fees. Copy of invoice left with PIC.

511-6-1.02(1)(f)(1)

Jul 16, 2024

Routine

2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 4 corrected on site.

View 4 violations

6-2 - proper date marking and disposition (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed 2 hotel pans of duck dated 7/4/24. Discussed with person in charge A food that requires date marking shall be discarded if it: Is appropriately marked with a date or day that exceeds 7 days. Food was discarded

511-6-1.04(6)(h)

10D - food properly labeled; original container (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed 4 containers of expired cream inside of the walk in cooler. Discussed time/temperature control safety foods that are labeled as “keep refrigerated” and that are for sale or service to the consumer or used as an ingredient in other foods shall be immediately discarded and shall not be sold, served, or used after the manufacturer’s expiration date or the sell-by date. Person in charge discarded

511-6-1.04(8)(b)

4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed employee in the bar area storing cocktail mix and equipment/utensils store inside of ice used for customer consumption. Discussed Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. Employee discarded all ice inside of ice bin at the bar

511-6-1.05(7)(a)

9-2 - compliance with variance, specialized process and haccp plan (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed facility vacuum sealing fillet for more than 24 hours without an approved HACCP Plan. Discussed with manager and chef: - A HACCP Plan is not required when a food service establishment uses a reduced oxygen packaging method to package time/temperature control for safety food that is always: 1. Labeled with the production time and date, 2. Held at 41°F (5°C) or less during refrigerated storage, and 3. Removed from its package in the food service establishment within 48 hours after packaging. All fillets were discarded. Facility only vacuum seal for less than 24hrs.

511-6-1.04(6)(k)

Jan 24, 2024

Initial

No violations found.

100

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Casa Balam Cocina Mexicana last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Casa Balam Cocina Mexicana on file is from Apr 1, 2026. The public record contains three inspections in total.

How does Casa Balam Cocina Mexicana compare to other restaurants in Decatur?

Casa Balam Cocina Mexicana most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Decatur average of 86.

Has Casa Balam Cocina Mexicana's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Casa Balam Cocina Mexicana have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Casa Balam Cocina Mexicana 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 Casa Balam Cocina Mexicana inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Casa Balam Cocina Mexicana is inspected roughly once per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Platez Southern Kitchen & Coctailz

130 Clairemont Ave Ste 100

Score: 86 — Low Risk

Waller's Coffee Shop

240 Dekalb Industrial Way

Score: 90 — Low Risk

Los Ninos (Mobile Unit)

307 E College Ave Ste B

Score: 86 — Low Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Decatur → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Georgia → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Decatur