El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant

1438 Hwy 21 S, Springfield, GA 31329

Mexican / Latin

License: Food Service

Last inspected: Dec 11, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

Public records show four inspections at El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant stretching back to 2024. El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant was last inspected on Dec 11, 2025. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.

There hasn't been much movement either way: counts have stayed near six violations per visit across recent inspections.

“Food-contact surfaces” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.

Restaurants in Springfield average 87, so El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant trails the local norm. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Dec 11, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.

View 5 violations

2-1B - hands clean and properly washed (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed employee wash hands with single use gloves on prior to handling a tortilla, and continuing to use without changing gloves. CA: Staff removed gloves and washed hands and replaced gloves prior to touching a new tortilla.

511-6-1.03(5)(c)

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

Inspector notes: Observed salsa with past due date of 11/29/2025 that exceeds the 7-day limit for storage of food below 41F. Other TCS items were inconsistently dated or appeared to have old inaccurate date labels. CA: Employee discarded salsa immediately. Rule: Cold held TCS ready to eat items held longer than one day shall be labelled with the prep date and discarded within 7 days.

511-6-1.04(6)(g)

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

Inspector notes: Observed both soda gun nozzles with heavy buildup on the food-contact surfaces. CA: Manager cleaned and sanitized the nozzles.

511-6-1.05(7)(a)

4-2A - food stored covered

Inspector notes: Observed several food items including various raw meat, chicken nuggets, tortillas in reach in cooler, black beans in the walk in cooler, and beef patties in the deep freezer uncovered when in storage. Rule: All food items shall be stored covered and/or wrapped.

511-6-1.04(4)(c)

18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present

Inspector notes: Observed door in the back of the facility not properly closing or latching, with a large gap below the door. Rule: Outer openings of a food service establishment shall be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by: Filling or closing holes and other gaps along floors, walls, and ceilings; (ii) Closed, tight-fitting windows; and (iii) Solid, self-closing, tight-fitting doors.

511-6-1.07(2)(m)

May 14, 2025

Routine

1 major violation. 3 minor violations.

View 4 violations

4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector notes: Observed heavy mildew-like build up on the baffle of the ice machine. Next repeat violation in this category will result in an informal hearing at the Effingham County Health Department.

511-6-1.05(7)(b)

17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean

Inspector notes: Observed heavy food/grease build up under the cooking equipment (fryer, grill).

511-6-1.07(5)(a)

18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present

Inspector notes: Observed a live roach on a wall in the back of the house. Observed a live flies throughout the kitchen area of the facility.

511-6-1.07(5)(k)

18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present

Inspector notes: Observed a can of Raid bug spray in the back of the facility. CA: Can was thrown away by the PIC.

511-6-1.07(5)(k)

Nov 13, 2024

Routine

2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.

View 8 violations

8-2B - toxic substances properly identified, stored, used (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed WD 40 stored on a shelf next to food additives near the back prep area. CA: Items was stored with other chemicals.

511-6-1.07(6)(c)

8-2B - toxic substances properly identified, stored, used (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed WD 40 stored on a shelf next to food additives near the back prep area. CA: Items was stored with other chemicals.

511-6-1.07(6)(c)

4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector notes: Observed heavy mildew-like build up on the baffle of the ice machine.

511-6-1.05(7)(b)

18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed a dead roach in the ack of the house. CA: Roach was discarded.

511-6-1.07(5)(l)

14A - in-use utensils: properly stored

Inspector notes: Observed handles for scoops stored within food product (ice bin, bulk rice bin).

511-6-1.04(4)(k)

14A - in-use utensils: properly stored

Inspector notes: Observed handles for scoops stored within food product (ice bin, bulk rice bin).

511-6-1.04(4)(k)

14C - single-use/single-service articles: properly stored, used

Inspector notes: Observed to-go boxes and cups stored on the floor in the storage room.

511-6-1.05(10)(e)

14C - single-use/single-service articles: properly stored, used

Inspector notes: Observed to-go boxes and cups stored on the floor in the storage room.

511-6-1.05(10)(e)

Jul 16, 2024

Routine

2 major violations. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

11D - thermometers provided and accurate

Inspector notes: Observed inaccurate thermometers in multiple coolers throughout the kitchen and bar areas.

511-6-1.05

4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector notes: Observed heavy mildew-like build up on the baffle of the ice machine. CA: Ice was removed and ice machine will be cleaned and sanitized prior to the ice being placed back into the unit.

511-6-1.05(7)(b)

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

Inspector notes: Observed the most current inspection report not posted in public view.

511-6-1.02(1)(d)

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant on file is from Dec 11, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.

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

Across the inspection record, “food-contact surfaces” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant.

How does El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Springfield?

El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Springfield average of 87.

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

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

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

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