Santiago's Taqueria Base of Operation

2713 Cleveland Hwy, Dalton, GA 30721

Mexican / Latin

License: Food Service

Last inspected: Mar 6, 2026

Score

Low Risk

Inspectors have visited Santiago's Taqueria Base of Operation five times, with records going back to 2024. The most recent visit was on Mar 6, 2026. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.

Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around two violations each.

When inspectors have written things up, “proper cooling methods used” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.

That falls roughly in the middle of the pack for Dalton restaurants. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Mar 6, 2026

Routine

2 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.

View 2 violations

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

Inspector notes: Observed broccoli, boiled eggs, and cooked lobster being cooled covered in make table. Person in charge (PIC) uncovered items and moved to walk-in cooler for rapid cooling.

511-6-1.04(6)(e)

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

Inspector notes: Multiple wet cloths stored on prep surfaces in kitchen and at bar. PIC moved wet cloths into sanitizer buckets.

511-6-1.04(4)(m)

Sep 18, 2025

Routine

2 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.

View 2 violations

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

Inspector notes: Observed broccoli, boiled eggs, and cooked lobster being cooled covered in make table. Person in charge (PIC) uncovered items and moved to walk-in cooler for rapid cooling.

511-6-1.04(6)(e)

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

Inspector notes: Multiple wet cloths stored on prep surfaces in kitchen and at bar. PIC moved wet cloths into sanitizer buckets.

511-6-1.04(4)(m)

Mar 28, 2025

Routine

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

View 4 violations

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

Inspector notes: Chlorine sanitizer in dishwash machine observed at 0ppm. CA: Chlorine sanitizer shall have a concentration between 50-100ppm. Dishwash machine primed to reach 50ppm chlorine and person in charge (PIC) was advised to call service operator.

511-6-1.05(6)(n)

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

Inspector notes: Observed hard boiled eggs cooling in make table top; make table not designed for rapid cooling. Eggs moved to walk-in cooler.

511-6-1.04(6)(e)

18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present

Inspector notes: Observed light gap in kitchen back door-potential pest entry.

511-6-1.07(2)(m)

18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present

Inspector notes: Observed numerous flies throughout kitchen.

511-6-1.07(5)(k)

Oct 21, 2024

Routine

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

View 4 violations

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

511-6-1.05(6)(n)

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

Inspector notes: Observed hard boiled eggs cooling in make table top; make table not designed for rapid cooling. Eggs moved to walk-in cooler.

511-6-1.04(6)(e)

18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present

Inspector notes: Observed light gap in kitchen back door-potential pest entry.

511-6-1.07(2)(m)

18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present

Inspector notes: Observed numerous flies throughout kitchen.

511-6-1.07(5)(k)

Feb 26, 2024

Routine

2 major violations. 3 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.

View 5 violations

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

Inspector notes: Observed plastic pitcher stored in handwash sink at bar. CA: Handwash sinks are to be accessible at all times and used for no purpose other than handwashing. Label added.

511-6-1.06(2)(o)

2-2A - management knowledge, responsibilities, reporting

Inspector notes: Person in charge (PIC) unable to provide signed employee reporting agreement or other verifiable means showing employees are aware of their responsibility to report symptoms and illnesses to management. Corrective action (CA): All employees are to read and sign the reporting agreement, and forms are to be kept available for verification.

511-6-1.03(2)(o)

2-2B - proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed employee drink cup without a lid and straw stored on back prep table. CA: Employee drinks are to be in single-use cups with lids and straws. Drink discarded.

511-6-1.03(5)(k)

10D - food properly labeled; original container (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed bulk sugar container without a label identifying its contents. Label added.

511-6-1.04(4)(d)

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

Inspector notes: Observed scoop stored in bulk spice container with handle touching food. Observed plastic cup without a handle stored in bulk spice container. Items removed from containers.

511-6-1.04(4)(k)

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Santiago's Taqueria Base of Operation last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Santiago's Taqueria Base of Operation on file is from Mar 6, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Santiago's Taqueria Base of Operation?

Across the inspection record, “proper cooling methods used” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Santiago's Taqueria Base of Operation.

How does Santiago's Taqueria Base of Operation compare to other restaurants in Dalton?

Santiago's Taqueria Base of Operation most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is about the same as the Dalton average of 91.

Has Santiago's Taqueria Base of Operation's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Santiago's Taqueria Base of Operation have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Santiago's Taqueria Base of Operation 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 Santiago's Taqueria Base of Operation inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Santiago's Taqueria Base of Operation is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Taco Bell #042511

3975 Cleveland Hwy

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Score: 52 — High Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Dalton → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Georgia → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Dalton