El Sombrero Mexican Restauarnt & Grill

116 N Washington St, Lincolnton, GA 30817

Mexican / Latin

License: Food Service

Last inspected: Dec 2, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

Inspectors have visited El Sombrero Mexican Restauarnt & Grill four times, with records going back to 2024. El Sombrero Mexican Restauarnt & Grill was last inspected on Dec 2, 2025. 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 three violations before.

Across the inspection history, “proper cooling methods used” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.

El Sombrero Mexican Restauarnt & Grill's latest score of 67 falls below the Lincolnton average of 92. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Dec 2, 2025

Routine

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

View 5 violations

11A - proper cooling methods used: adequate equipment for temperature control

Inspector notes: Observed cooler under grill not have capacity to properly maintain CH temp CA: ensure cooler is repaired or replaced; can maintain temp at or below 41f

511-6-1.05(3)(a)

15B - warewashing facilities: installed, maintained, used; test strips

Inspector notes: Observed no test strips for 3-comp sink or dish machine CA: ensure test strips are obtained and used in 3-comp sink

511-6-1.05(3)(h)

1-2B - certified food protection manager

Inspector notes: Observed expired CFSM, no active registration CA: obtain food safety MANAGER certification ASAP unique to restaurant

511-6-1.03(3)(a)

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

Inspector notes: Observed inspection report no posted in drive-thru window CA: ensure copy of inspection report is posted in dining room and drive-thru

511-6-1.02(1)(d)

16B - plumbing installed; proper backflow devices (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed significant leak in ice machine water line; sprayed in storage room, soiled food CA: ensure plumbing lines are all maintained COS: water to line cut off, food discarded

511-6-1.06(2)(r)

May 27, 2025

Followup

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

View 3 violations

1-2A - pic present, demonstrates knowledge, performs duties

Inspector notes: Observed employee health agreements not on site, PIC could not produce signed copies CA: all employees need to sign employee health agreements and know its contents

511-6-1.03(2)(a)

1-2B - certified food protection manager

Inspector notes: Observed expired CFSM, PIC could not provide proof of registration for CFSM class CA: obtain CFSM certification

511-6-1.03(3)(a)

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

Inspector notes: Observed dish machine not reach 121f or proper sanitizer concentration CA: ensure all dishes are washed, rinsed, and sanitized properly COS: PIC said they would use 3-comp sink for all dishes until maintenance could fix dish machine - chlorine 100ppm, 121f for dish machine

511-6-1.05(6)(m)

Apr 25, 2025

Routine

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

View 3 violations

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

Inspector notes: Observed employees wash gloves on top of hands; change gloves without washing hands CA: wash hands EVERY time gloves are changed, DO NOT wash gloves over hands, gloves MUST be removed to wash hands COS: instructed employees to follow corrective actions

511-6-1.03(5)(c)

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

Inspector notes: Observed raw chicken, raw beef stored above RTE foods in multiple coolers CA: follow proper storage order according to cook temperature COS: instructed and witnessed PIC move RTE foods on top of raw proteins, PIC provided with storage order handout

511-6-1.04(4)(c)

11A - proper cooling methods used: adequate equipment for temperature control

Inspector notes: Observed protein cooler under grill temping ~55-60 degrees. PIC could not unlock cooler controls to adjust it CA: instructed PIC to move raw protein to functioning cooler, and not to use that cooler until it temps at or less than 41 degrees

511-6-1.05(3)(a)

May 10, 2024

Routine

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

View 4 violations

5-1B - proper reheating procedures for hot holding (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed rice and beef being reheated in steam table at 11am at 92f.The facility opens at 11am, so the food could not be served at that temperature. C/a Reheat foods on the stove to 165f before hot holding. COS - foods were placed on stove and reaheated

1-2B - certified food protection manager

Inspector notes: Observed nobody in facility with servesafe. Most recent CFSM was in 2022 and expired that year. C/a Obtain servesafe ASAP - need a copy of servesafe book to study.

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

Inspector notes: Observed lone handwashing sink being used to prepare peppers. C/a Wash and prep vegetables in a vegetable prep sink. COS - Moved to another sink.

13A - posted: permit/inspection/choking poster/handwashing (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed incorrect inspection posted. Inspection was from 2022. C/a Post most recent inspection in plain view.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Sombrero Mexican Restauarnt & Grill last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at El Sombrero Mexican Restauarnt & Grill on file is from Dec 2, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at El Sombrero Mexican Restauarnt & Grill?

Across the inspection record, “proper cooling methods used” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at El Sombrero Mexican Restauarnt & Grill.

How does El Sombrero Mexican Restauarnt & Grill compare to other restaurants in Lincolnton?

El Sombrero Mexican Restauarnt & Grill most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Lincolnton average of 92.

Has El Sombrero Mexican Restauarnt & Grill's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at El Sombrero Mexican Restauarnt & Grill have averaged around five violations per visit, up from roughly three earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at El Sombrero Mexican Restauarnt & Grill 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 Sombrero Mexican Restauarnt & Grill inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, El Sombrero Mexican Restauarnt & Grill is inspected around three times per year on average.

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