Tequila's Mexican Grill
Last inspected: Dec 11, 2025
55
Score
Inspectors have visited Tequila's Mexican Grill three times, with records going back to 2024. The newest entry in the record is dated Dec 11, 2025. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around 10 violations each, up from closer to six violations before.
The pattern that stands out is “insects, rodents, and animals not present”, which has been cited two times.
That's lower than the typical Madison restaurant, which scores around 82. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
3
Inspections
0
Critical latest
2
Major latest
8
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 11, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
6-2 - proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: Observed several food containers not date marked in the cooler, prep bottom cooler, inside and the outside walk-in cooler. Ensure all food are date marked (TCS/ RTE foods) COS: All today prep food were date marked and the food that were prep 24 hours prior were discarded.
511-6-1.04(6)(g)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Observed black mold-like substance on the drip plate, the corner surface and inner surface of the ice machine. CA: ensure all food contact surface are cleaned and sanitized frequently to prevent buildup or mold-like substances accumulation. Ice machine shall be cleaned by 12/12/2025
511-6-1.05(7)(b)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Missing floor tiles in the 3-compartment sink area
511-6-1.07(2)(a)
17D - adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas used
Inspector notes: Excessive buildup of grease on the ceiling and walls in the grill area.
511-6-1.05(3)(d)
18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present
Inspector notes: Back door and door outside storage not self-closing and tight fitting. all doors must be self-closing.
511-6-1.07(2)(m)
18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present
Inspector notes: Observed a few roaches on floor and wall in the main kitchen.
511-6-1.07(5)(k)
4-2A - food stored covered
Inspector notes: Observed multiple foods items not covered in the prep bottom cooler in the main kitchen and drink spies in the bar area. CA: Ensure all foods items are covered or protected or resealed properly unless when they are in the process of cooling. COS: All concerned food were covered during the inspection.
511-6-1.04(4)(c)
14A - in-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: Observed scoops and knifes with handle part store and touching the food. Ensure the handles part are not touching the foods.
511-6-1.04(4)(k)
15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Observed accumulation of food debris on shelves inside the walk-in cooler.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Observed heavy grease accumulation on vent hood
511-6-1.05(7)(d)
55
Jan 7, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 9 violations
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Observed several food items_ shrimp, beans, tomato sauce chicken- not covered in the walk-in cooler, the bottom part of make table. corrective action (CA): All food shall be coved protected from contamination. person in charge was informed to keep food protected and covered at all times; expected when foods are actively cooling. Corrected on site (COS): they were covered during inspection.
12A - contamination prevented during food preparation, storage, display
Inspector notes: observed boxes of food stored on the floor in the dry storage area. Ensure food are store 6 inches off the floor
511-6-1.04(4)(q)
12B - personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: Observed employees with bracelets on wrists while handling the food — no more than plain wedding bands on hand and wrists.
511-6-1.03(5)(g)
14A - in-use utensils: properly stored
Inspector notes: Observed cup stored in rice and spoons stored in Pico with handles touching the food. Ensure measuring cups are not stored in food and use proper scoops with handles. Also, ensure handles are not touching the foods.
511-6-1.04(4)(k)
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: The walk-in cooler must be serviced since the ambient temperature is 43°F and rises up. Please contact the health department when service for a follow-up checkup. Also, the person in charge was asked to log the temperature of the food to make sure the foods are safe.
511-6-1.05(6)(a)
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: Buildup of ice in the chest freezer and reach in freezer in dry storage and main kitchen.
511-6-1.05(6)(a)
15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Observed accumulation of food debris on shelves inside the walk-in cooler. Also, grease accumulation on the fryer baskets.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Observed grease and food debris accumulation around the outside part of the vent hood.
511-6-1.05(7)(d)
18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present
Inspector notes: Back door and doors to both outside storage room not self-closing and are tight-fitting. All doors leading outside shall be self-closing and tight-fitting, fully closed at all times.
511-6-1.07(2)(m)
61
May 30, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed several food items- pork, cheese, chicken- not held at 41°F or below in the walk-in cooler for cold holding. Corrective action: all TCS (time/temperature for safety control) 41°F or below for cold holding. Corrected on-site (COS): all concerned foods were discarded.
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
12A - contamination prevented during food preparation, storage, display
Inspector notes: Observed food boxes stored on the floor in the walk-in cooler. Also, observed onion and bean bags stored on the floor in outside storage. Store all food at least 6 inches off the floor.
15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used
Inspector notes: The walk-in cooler, display cooler, and 2-door reach-in freezer are not in good repair and cannot maintain food at the proper temperature. The person in charge was informed that equipment shall be serviced, and the health department shall be notified for equipment follow-up.
18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present
Inspector notes: Back door and doors to both outside storage room not self-closing and are tight-fitting. All doors leading outside shall be self-closing and tight-fitting, fully closed at all times.
74
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tequila's Mexican Grill last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Tequila's Mexican Grill on file is from Dec 11, 2025. The public record contains three inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Tequila's Mexican Grill?
Across the inspection record, “insects, rodents, and animals not present” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Tequila's Mexican Grill.
How does Tequila's Mexican Grill compare to other restaurants in Madison?
Tequila's Mexican Grill most recently scored 55 out of 100, which is lower than the Madison average of 82.
Has Tequila's Mexican Grill's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Tequila's Mexican Grill have averaged around 10 violations per visit, up from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Tequila's Mexican 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 Tequila's Mexican Grill inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Tequila's Mexican Grill is inspected around two times per year on average.
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