El Jalapeno
Last inspected: Apr 30, 2026
70
Score
Across the available record, El Jalapeno has six inspections on file, the first dated 2024. The latest inspection on file is from Apr 30, 2026. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around eight violations to closer to five violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “food-contact surfaces” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.
Compared to other Statesboro restaurants (averaging 85), there's room to close the gap. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
3
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 30, 2026
Routine
3 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
1-2B - certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: Observed facility with an expired CFSM certification. CA: Obtain a new CFSM cert.
511-6-1.03(3)(a)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Observed organic matter build-up on bar nozzle. CA: Clean and sanitize
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
8-2B - toxic substances properly identified, stored, used
Inspector notes: Observed chemicals not original container and without label of common name. CA: Label all chemicals outside of original containers with common name
511-6-1.07(6)(b)
18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present
Inspector notes: Observed back door ajar. CA: Keep back door closed to prevent pest entry.
511-6-1.07(2)(m)
70
Sep 29, 2025
Routine
4 major violations. 1 minor violation. 3 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Observed organic matter build-up on the ice machine baffle and on bar nozzle. CA: Clean and sanitize
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
1-2B - certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: Observed facility with an expired CFSM certification. CA: Obtain a new CFSM cert.
511-6-1.03(3)(a)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed the dish washing machine with an empty container and no detectable sanitizer. COS: PIC replaced
511-6-1.05(6)(n)
2-2D - adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed a pitcher and dumped ice inside the hand washing sink. COS: Pitcher removed CA: HWS shall only be used for hand washing only.
511-6-1.06(2)(o)
4-2A - food stored covered
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed salsa & foods in a reach-in freezer stored uncovered. COS: Foods covered
511-6-1.04(4)(c)
64
Apr 2, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 4 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed TCS foods in a reach-in cooler with an ambient temp of 46F. COS: Foods discarded
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: Observed reach-in cooler with an ambient of 46F. CA: Repair cooler to cold hold at 41F or below. Discontinue use of holding TCS foods in unit until Health Department approves the unit of TCS cold holding.
511-6-1.05(6)(q)
15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Observed debris on equipment and floors.
511-6-1.05(7)(d)
16B - plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LEAKING HAND SINKS CA: Repair plumbing
511-6-1.06(2)(r)
17D - adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: Observed lights above the hot holding area not operating. CA: Repair lights
511-6-1.07(3)(f)
70
Oct 31, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED REACH IN COOLER WITH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE 57 DEGREES F. SALSA IN REACH IN COOLER WITH INTERNAL TEMPERATURE 61 DEGREES F. CA: FOODS DISCARDED. DISCONTINUE USE OF COOLER UNTIL REPAIRED OR REPLACED
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
16B - plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED LEAKING HAND SINKS
511-6-1.06(2)(a)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXCESSIVE ORGANIC MATTER ON SODA NOZZLES BEHIND BAR
511-6-1.05(7)(b)
4-2A - food stored covered
Inspector notes: OBSERVED GLASS RIM SALT STORED UNCOVERED BEHIND BAR
511-6-1.04(4)(c)
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DAMAGES TO WALK IN COOLER
511-6-1.05(1)(a)
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DAMAGED SHELVING IN DRY STORAGE
511-6-1.05(1)(a)
15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS ON EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
16B - plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SODA MACHINE HOSE LEAKING ON TO FLOOR
511-6-1.06(2)(r)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DAMAGED/DIRY AC VENT COVERS
511-6-1.07(5)(a)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DAMAGED CEILING TILES
511-6-1.07(5)(a)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS, WALLS, AND CEILINGS THROUGHOUT FACILITY
511-6-1.07(5)(a)
45
Jan 10, 2024
Routine
2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 2 violations
11A - proper cooling methods used: adequate equipment for temperature control
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed a container of raw beef cooling with a closed lid on container. COS: Container was partially opened.
511-6-1.04(6)(e)
14C - single-use/single-service articles: properly stored, used
Inspector notes: Observed single-service cups being stored without protective sleeves.
511-6-1.05(10)(e)
90
Jan 3, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 4 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 10 violations
4-1A - food separated and protected
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed raw chicken being stored above raw beef. COS: Educated staff on proper storage procedures for storing raw meats according to cooking temperatures.
511-6-1.04(4)(c)
3-1C - food in good condition, safe, and unadulterated
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed a container of moldy garlic in the back walk-in cooler. COS: Garlic discarded.
511-6-1.04(1)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Observed build-up of grime on a can opener blade, & pink organic matter build-up on the soda nozzles in the bar area.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
6-2 - proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: Observed two containers of salsa being stored without a 7-day discard date. CA: All in-house made TCS foods shall be stored with a 7-day discard date.
511-6-1.04(6)(g)
15B - warewashing facilities: installed, maintained, used; test strips
Inspector notes: Observed facility with expired sanitizing testing strips dated 3.2020.
511-6-1.05(3)(h)
2-2D - adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed food handler using the handwashing station for dumping/ wringing a dish rag. COS: Instructed food handler that the handwashing station is to only be used for handwashing.
511-6-1.06(2)(o)
14A - in-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: Observed containers of rice and beans being stored with a scoop's handle touching the product.
511-6-1.04(4)(k)
4-2A - food stored covered
Inspector notes: Observed a container of salsa being stored uncovered on a countertop, & several foods in a reach-in freezer & reach-in cooler being stored uncovered.
511-6-1.04(4)(c)
12A - contamination prevented during food preparation, storage, display
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed two bags of onions being stored directly on floor. COS: Onions removed from floor.
511-6-1.04(4)(q)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Observed build-up of food and debris throughout the floor of the facility.
511-6-1.07(5)(a)
41
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Jalapeno last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Jalapeno on file is from Apr 30, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Jalapeno?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surfaces” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at El Jalapeno.
How does El Jalapeno compare to other restaurants in Statesboro?
El Jalapeno most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Statesboro average of 85.
Has El Jalapeno's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at El Jalapeno have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at El Jalapeno 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 El Jalapeno inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Jalapeno is inspected around three times per year on average.
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