La Costilla Grill Authentic Mexican Restaurant
Last inspected: Mar 9, 2026
67
Score
La Costilla Grill Authentic Mexican Restaurant has been inspected five times since 2024. The newest entry in the record is dated Mar 9, 2026. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near five violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “plumbing installed” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
The city-wide average sits at 79, which La Costilla Grill Authentic Mexican Restaurant's 67 doesn't quite reach. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
5
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 9, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed multiple TCS food items stored in walk-in cooler and reach-in cooler above 41F. PIC placed items on ice to cool down items and discarded of whole Tilapia, rice and cooked chicken. 511-6-1.04(6)(f) - Time/Temperature Control for Safety; Cold Holding (P) (f) Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot and Cold Holding. Except during preparation, cooking, or cooling, or when time is used as the public health control, time/temperature control for safety food shall be maintained at 41°F (5°C) or below or 135°F (57°C) or above, except that roasts cooked to a temperature and for a time specified in subsection (5)(a)2 of this Rule and reheated using the same temperature and time conditions as cooking may be held at a temperature of 130°F (54°C) or above. P
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed dish machine and 3-compartment sink with chlorine sanitizer solution below proper concentration. Manager called to have maintenance performed on dish machine and remade 3-compartment sink sanitizer. 511-6-1.05(6)(n) - Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization-Temperature, pH, Concentration, Hardness (P,Pf) (n) Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization - Temperature, pH, Concentration, and Hardness. A chemical sanitizer used in a sanitizing solution for a manual or mechanical operation at contact times specified under subsection (8)(b)3 of this Rule shall meet the requirements specified in DPH Rule 511-6-1-.07(6)(g), shall be used in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered label use instructions P, an...
511-6-1.05(6)(n)
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: Observed reach-in cooler door in bad repair; when opened door came off the hinge. 511-6-1.05(6)(a) - Good Repair & Proper Adjustment (C) (6) Maintenance and Operation. (a) Good Repair and Proper Adjustment. 1. Equipment shall be maintained in a state of repair and condition that meets the requirements specified under subsections (1) and (2)of this Rule. 2. Equipment components such as doors, seals, hinges, fasteners, and kick plates shall be kept intact, tight, and adjusted in accordance with manufacturer's specifications. 3. Cutting or piercing parts of can openers shall be kept sharp to minimize the creation of metal fragments that can contaminate food when the container is opened.
511-6-1.05(6)(a)
12A - contamination prevented during food preparation, storage, display
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed multiple boxed items stored under walk-in freezer refrigeration unit exposed to leaking from refrigeration unit (ice crystal formation). Employee removed items from boxes and moved items that may be exposed to leakage. 511-6-1.04(4)(q) - Food Storage (C) (q) Food Storage. 1. Except as specified in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this subsection, food shall be protected from contamination by storing the food: (i) In a clean, dry location; (ii) Where it is not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination; and (iii) At least 6 inches (15 cm) above the floor. 2. Food in packages and working containers may be stored less than 6 inches (15 cm) above the floor on case lot handling equipment if the equipment can be moved by hand or by conveniently available apparatuses such as hand trucks and...
511-6-1.04(4)(q)
16B - plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: Observed 3-compartment sink and prep sink leaking into catch pans. Also observed refrigeration in walk-in freezer with evidence of leaking ( ice crystal formation on plumbing, food item boxes and shelving units) and walk-in cooler refrigeration unit leaking onto the floor. 511-6-1.06(2)(r) - System Maintained in Good Repair (P, C) (r) System Maintained in Good Repair. A plumbing system shall be repaired according to law; P and maintained in good repair.
511-6-1.06(2)(r)
67
Sep 29, 2025
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: Observed reach in cooler door in bad repair. The door was hanging off the hinge. PIC will repair the door by 10/01/25.
511-6-1.05(1)(i)
16B - plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: Observed the hot water not working in the three compartment sink located in the bar. PIC will place a work order to have the hot water knob repaired or replaced by 10/10/25
511-6-1.06(2)(r)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Observed ceiling above the walk in cooler door in bad repair. CA- PIC advised the damaged ceiling was due to repairs of the walk in freezer. PIC will have the ceiling repaired by 10/01/25
511-6-1.07(5)(a)
18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present
Inspector notes: Observed both rear doors need self closures and a weather strip must be added to the door in the dining area by 10/10/2025
511-6-1.07(2)(m)
14B - utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried, handled
Inspector notes: Observed dishes wet nesting above the three compartment sink. PIC corrected on site by removing and rewashing dishes. Also observed clean pans not properly inverted. PIC corrected on site by inverting pans.
511-6-1.05(10)(a)
78
Mar 26, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
6-1C - proper cooling time and temperature
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Cooked Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food (list food item here) was not cooled from 135F to 70F within 2 hours. Observed a pan of ground beef that was improperly cooled sitting on the preparation table at room temperature. The pan of ground beef began cooling at 11:00 am. At 3:55 pm, the pan of ground beef was observed at 128 degrees f. PIC discarded the pan of ground beef as a corrective action due to improper cooling.
511-6-1.04(6)(d)
8-2B - toxic substances properly identified, stored, used
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed unlabeled spray bottle of chemical. Observed several bottles containing yellow and purple chemicals that were not properly labeled stored in the kitchen area. PIC discarded both chemical bottles. CA- PIC will ensure that all chemical bottles area properly labeled.
511-6-1.07(6)(b)
13A - posted: permit/inspection/choking poster/handwashing
Inspector notes: Observed the current food permit was not available. The food permit that was posted expired in 2023. CA- PIC will contact our office to obtain a copy of the current food permit.
511-6-1.02(1)(f)(1)
16B - plumbing installed; proper backflow devices
Inspector notes: Observed the hot water not working in the three compartment sink located in the bar. PIC will place a work order to have the hot water knob repaired or replaced by 4/2/25.
511-6-1.06(2)(r)
70
Sep 23, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed TCS food (twenty pound container of cooked rice store at 49 degrees in the walk in cooler after being cooked and cooled on 9/22/24. The container of rice was discarded by the person in charge. Two 10 pound containers of cut lettuce was also observed above 41 degrees F. The lettuce was discarded by the person in charge.
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
1-2B - certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: The location does not currently have a Certified Food Safety Manager. PIC advised that he will obtain in 30 days.
511-6-1.03(3)(a)
12A - contamination prevented during food preparation, storage, display
Inspector notes: Observed a fly crawling on beef sitting in an ice bath on the preparation table. The pan of beef was discarded by the person in charge. The person in charge was advised to keep the remaining product that was cooling covered while cooling in the ice bath as a result of my observation.
511-6-1.04(4)(t)
18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present
Inspector notes: Presence of flies observed in the kitchen area. A self closure must be installed on the backdoor. Fans must be installed in the garage door area to prevent flies from entering the outer opening.
511-6-1.07(5)(k)
70
Mar 13, 2024
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
14A - in-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: Fryer basket skimmer improperly stored with broken wires
511-6-1.04(4)(k)
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: Splash guard needed between the hand sink, ice bin, and three compartment sink
511-6-1.05(1)(a)
2-2B - proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use
Inspector notes: Observed employee drink (Can of Monster) stored next to food in the walk in cooler. PIC discarded the open can.
511-6-1.03(5)(k)
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Costilla Grill Authentic Mexican Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Costilla Grill Authentic Mexican Restaurant on file is from Mar 9, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Costilla Grill Authentic Mexican Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “plumbing installed” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at La Costilla Grill Authentic Mexican Restaurant.
How does La Costilla Grill Authentic Mexican Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Mcdonough?
La Costilla Grill Authentic Mexican Restaurant most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Mcdonough average of 79.
Has La Costilla Grill Authentic Mexican Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at La Costilla Grill Authentic Mexican Restaurant have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at La Costilla Grill Authentic 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.
How often is La Costilla Grill Authentic Mexican Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Costilla Grill Authentic Mexican Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants