El Matador Mexican Restaurant

2233 Lafayette Rd, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742

Mexican / Latin

License: Food Service

Last inspected: Feb 26, 2026

Score

Low Risk

El Matador Mexican Restaurant has been inspected four times since 2024. The most recent report on file is from Feb 26, 2026. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.

Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near three violations per visit.

The most common issue across all inspections has been “physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean”, showing up two times.

Compared to other Fort Oglethorpe restaurants (averaging 92), there's room to close the gap. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Feb 26, 2026

Routine

4 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.

View 4 violations

17B - garbage/refuse properly disposed; facilities maintained (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: OBSERVED BOTH DOORS ON DUMPSTER LEFT OPEN. CA: OUTDOOR RECEPTACLES MUST BE SEALED WITH TIGH FITTING DOORS. COS: PIC CLOSED DOORS.

511-6-1.06(5)(n)

17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: OBSERVED MOPS STORED IN BOTTOM PORTIONS OF MOP BUCKETS. CA: MOPS MUST BE STORED IN A MANNER TO ALLOW PROPER DRYING. COS: PIC REARRANGED MOP TO PROPERLY DRY.

511-6-1.07(5)(f)

11A - proper cooling methods used: adequate equipment for temperature control (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: OBSERVED THREE PANS OF QUESO LEFT TO COOL ON COUNTERTOP. CA: DISCUSSED WITH PIC PROPER COOLING METHODS. COS: PIC MOVED QUESO PANS OF QUESO TO ICE BATHS AND COOLED DOWN TO PROPER TEMPERATURE.

511-6-1.04(6)(e)

12C - wiping cloths: properly used and stored (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: OBSERVED SEVERAL SANITIZER BUCKETS STORED DIRECTLY ON FLOOR. CA: CONTAINERS OF SANITIZER MUST BE PROPERLY STORED OFF GROUND. COS: PIC MOVED BUCKETS TO ELEVATED SURFACE

511-6-1.04(4)(m)

Aug 15, 2025

Routine

3 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.

View 3 violations

12C - wiping cloths: properly used and stored (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed wet wiping cloth being stored on equipment surface after being used to sanitize equipment. Discussed with PIC and employee importance of storing wiping cloths in sanitizer solution after being used (in between use) to sanitize equipment and food contact surfaces. CA - Employee returned wiping cloth to sanitizer bucket and PIC retrained staff during on proper use and storage of wiping cloth during inspection.

511-6-1.04(4)(m)

14A - in-use utensils: properly stored (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed employee scooping ice with glass (not using ice scoop) and returning glass to storage of clean glasses. Also observed ice scoop stored in ice bin with handle contacting ice. Discussed with PIC on the importance of using approved utensils (i.e. ice scoop with handle) and storing handle above food (i.e.) level. CA - Employee stored ice scoop in approved location and PIC retrained staff on properly using and storing ice scoop.

511-6-1.04(4)(k)

15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used

Inspector notes: Observed kitchen very hot and prep cooler thermostat reading 41F. Discussed with Owner/PIC and he said one of the A/C units was down, but someone was coming to work on this afternoon/evening. PIC attempted to adjust thermostat during inspection and unit had come down from 41F to 38F during inspection. CA PIC said he would have A/C guy check when he comes to work on A/C unit, and he moved all TCS foods to walk-in cooler during inspection (had only been in unit around 3 hours - opened at 11:00am) and replaced with fresh food items from cooler. Will continue to rotate food every two hours until A/C and unit are serviced and operating correctly.

511-6-1.05(6)(a)

Jan 14, 2025

Routine

1 major violation. 1 minor violation. 2 corrected on site.

View 2 violations

2-2D - adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO HAND SOAP AT HAND SINK IN KITCHEN. CA: PIC HAD SOAP REPLACED.

511-6-1.07(3)(a)

12C - wiping cloths: properly used and stored (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: OBSERVED WIPING CLOTH BEING STORED ON CUTTING BOARD/PREP SURFACE. CA: HAD EMPLOYEE MOVE WIPING CLOTH TO SANITIZER BUCKET. DISCUSSED THAT WIPING CLOTHS MUST BE STORED IN SANITIZER BUCKET IN BETWEEN USES.

511-6-1.04(4)(m)

May 31, 2024

Routine

1 critical violation. 2 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.

View 3 violations

4-1A - food separated and protected (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: OBSERVED RAW EGGS STORED ABOVE READY TO EAT FOODS IN WALK IN COOLER. CA: PIC WILL ORGANIZE FOODS BY COOK TEMPERATURE AND WILL MOVE RAW EGGS SO THEY ARE NOT STORED ABOVE READY TO EAT FOODS.

511-6-1.04(4)(c)

17A - toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, cleaned

Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO TRASH CAN WITH LID IN WOMENS RESTROOM. CA: PIC WILL PLACE A TRASH CAN WITH LID IN WOMENS RESTROOM.

511-6-1.06(5)(h)

17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: OBSERVED WET MOP STORED IN MOP BUCKET. CA: PIC WILL HANG UP MOP TO PROPERLY AIR DRY IN A MANNER TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, AND WALLS.

511-6-1.07(5)(f)

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Matador Mexican Restaurant last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at El Matador Mexican Restaurant on file is from Feb 26, 2026. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at El Matador Mexican Restaurant?

Across the inspection record, “physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at El Matador Mexican Restaurant.

How does El Matador Mexican Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Fort Oglethorpe?

El Matador Mexican Restaurant most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is lower than the Fort Oglethorpe average of 92.

Has El Matador Mexican Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Matador Mexican Restaurant have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at El Matador Mexican Restaurant 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 El Matador Mexican Restaurant inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, El Matador Mexican Restaurant is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Jack's Family Restaurants

Billy's Fort Lake Skating Rink

2076 Lafayette Rd

Score: 100 — Low Risk

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