Taco Bell

1402 E Shotwell St, Bainbridge, GA 39819

Mexican / Latin

License: Food Service

Last inspected: May 5, 2026

Score

Low Risk

The health department has logged five inspections at Taco Bell, the earliest from 2024. The newest entry in the record is dated May 5, 2026. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.

The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around four violations to closer to one violation per visit over the last few inspections.

Across the inspection history, “nonfood-contact surfaces clean” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.

That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Bainbridge restaurant scores 91. Taken together, the history is a positive one.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

May 5, 2026

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED NON FOOD CONTACT SURFACES: FRAME COMPONENTS ON DEEP FRYER AND HOT WATER BATH. AS WELL AS FOOD DEBRIS ON SHELVES UNDER GRIDDLE.

511-6-1.05(7)(a)

Feb 4, 2026

Routine

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

View 4 violations

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

Inspector notes: Observed no hand drying provisions available at hand washing sink in back kitchen. No paper towels available. COS: CFSM refilled the paper towel dispenser.

511-6-1.07(3)(b)

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

Inspector notes: Observed wet wiping cloths laying around on prep tables/counters and not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. COS: CFSM removed all wet wiping cloths and properly stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloths used to wipe down and sanitize food prep tables.

511-6-1.04(4)(m)

15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: Observed soiled nonfood contact surfaces of food storage containers; rice, cinnamon sugar, beans, etc. Also observed soiled shelves, coolers, and freezers. Will have everything cleaned within 3 to five days.

511-6-1.05(7)(d)

17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean

Inspector notes: Observed a build up of food and grease under and behind deep fryers in kitchen. Observed soiled walls throughout kitchen area. Will have floors and walls cleaned within 3 to 5 days.

511-6-1.07(5)(a)

Mar 11, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

6-1D - time as a public health control: procedures and records

Inspector notes: Observed food using TPHC (Time Public Health Control) not marked at all. Not marked on container or magnetic board on unit. Diced tomatoes stored in container was marked as C. Chicken. Guacamole stored in container marked as NC (Nacho Cheese). The other containers had no labels. No dates on labels or the magnetic board which PIC said they used. PIC will have items marked properly by 03/12/25.

511-6-1.04(6)(i)

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

Inspector notes: Repeat Violation: Observed mildew/black slime on the inside food contact surface of Prodigy automatic ice machine in dining area. Soiled food contact surface with black slime and mildew. PIC will have it cleaned by 02/29/25. Contact EH before using ice machine. Do not serve ice.

511-6-1.05(7)(a)

12B - personal cleanliness

Inspector notes: Observed employee handling/preparing food with a beard that is well over 1/2". Employee was not wearing a beard net. PIC will have employee wearing proper hair restraint by 03/12/25.

511-6-1.03(5)(j)

Aug 20, 2024

Routine

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

View 2 violations

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

Inspector notes: Observed black mildew/slime on the inside food contact surface of Prodigy automatic ice machine in lobby. Observed soiled food contact surface of automatic ice machine. Will have ice machine cleaned by 08/21/24. Do not serve ice to customers.

511-6-1.05(7)(a)

12B - personal cleanliness (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Observed employee handling/preparing food without proper hair restraints. Observed employee with a hat on but his hair was hanging down the side of his face and coming around to the front. Hair was not pulled back or in a hair net. COS: PIC had employee pull his hair back in a ponytail and it was no longer hanging in his face.

511-6-1.03(5)(j)

Feb 28, 2024

Routine

1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

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

Inspector notes: Observed encrusted food deposits on the food contact surface of several plastic trays. The trays also have cracks on them. CFSM stated he will replace broken trays and reclean soiled ones.

511-6-1.05(7)(a)

15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean

Inspector notes: Observed soiled nonfood contact surface of metal and wire shelves in the kitchen, shelf under lobby drink machine, and food storage containers (rice). CFSM will have shelves cleaned within three to five days.

511-6-1.05(7)(d)

17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean

Inspector notes: Observed soiled floors under and behind equipment and shelves throughout kitchen. Observed a lot of water on the floor under 3-compartment sink. CFSM will have floors cleaned within three to five days and will address the water issue. CFSM thinks it is a black flow preventer issue with the sink.

511-6-1.07(5)(a)

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Taco Bell last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Taco Bell on file is from May 5, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Taco Bell?

Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surfaces clean” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Taco Bell.

How does Taco Bell compare to other restaurants in Bainbridge?

Taco Bell most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Bainbridge average of 91.

Has Taco Bell's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Taco Bell have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly four earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Taco Bell 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 Taco Bell inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Taco Bell is inspected around two times per year on average.

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