El Tapatio
Last inspected: Oct 21, 2025
61
Score
Going back to 2023, El Tapatio has four inspections in the public record. El Tapatio was last inspected on Oct 21, 2025. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around four violations each.
The pattern that stands out is “proper hot holding temperatures”, which has been cited two times.
By comparison, the average Warwick facility scores 86, putting El Tapatio on the weaker side. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
4
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 21, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Several food items set for hot holding in the hot hold cabinet were observed held at 117-120 degrees Fahrenheit. Per the PIC, food items had been placed in the cabinet earlier in the morning hours. Food items were voluntarily disposed of at the time of inspection.
3-501.16(A)
Expired or improperly marked ready-to-eat food not discarded
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: A container of sauce was observed held beyond 7 days from the date of preparation. Sauce was voluntarily disposed of at the time of inspection.
3-501.18
Ready-to-eat food not date marked
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Several food items prepared on site were observed not date marked with the date of preparation or not re-marked with a 6-day use-by date from the day it was defrosted as day 1. Food items prepared on site are to be properly marked with a use-by date that is not to exceed 7 days unless frozen (Prep date is day 1, defrost date is day 2). Prep/Thaw dates were verified at the time of inspection.
3-501.17
Employee eating, drinking, or using tobacco in food area
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: An open employees' beverage container was observed stored in a food preparation area (top of small prep unit) with no lid/straw. Employees shall not drink from open beverage containers in order to prevent contamination of their hands, the container, and exposed food. Beverage was relocated at the time of inspection.
2-401.11
No certified food protection manager
Inspector notes: The establishment does not employ a full-time, on-site manager certified in food safety that is registered with the RIDOH Center for Food Protection as the Licensed Food Safety Manager for the location. Application printed and supplied at time of inspection.
2-102.12(A)
61
May 29, 2024
Re-Inspection
No violations found.
100
May 15, 2024
Routine
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations. 1 corrected on site.
View 7 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned and sanitized
Inspector notes: The chlorine concentration in the sanitizing solution of the 3-bay sink was 0 parts per million (ppm). The concentration of chlorine in the sanitizing solution must be between 50-100 ppm. At the time of inspection, the establishment was out of replacement sanitizer. PIC to use the 3 bay sink for proper sanitizing until sanitizer can be replaced. (Per the PIC, will obtain same day.)
4-501.114
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature
Inspector notes: At the time of inspection, several food items in the walk-in cooler were observed held at 44 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food must be held at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below except during preparation, cooking, or cooling. PIC called for refrigeration technician to adjust cooler same day as inspection. Food item observed at 46 degrees Fahrenheit was voluntarily disposed of at the time of inspection.
3-501.16(A)
Ready-to-eat food not date marked
Inspector notes: At the time of inspection, several food items were observed not marked with the proper date of preparation. Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods prepared in the establishment and held for more than 24 hours must be marked with the date of preparation. Per the PIC and employee, the food items were prepared within 7 days. Food items were properly dated at the time of inspection.
3-501.17
Sanitizer test kit not available
Inspector notes: The facility is lacking test strips to measure the concentration of the chlorine sanitizing solution for the dish machine.
4-302.14
Warewashing sink compartments insufficient or improperly set up
Inspector notes: At the time of inspection, the 3 bay sink was observed to have a pre-flush sprayer only. The Faucet is lacking a spout that is large enough to reach and fill all three bays effectively for washing/rinsing/sanitizing.
4-301.12
In-use utensils stored improperly between uses
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: The knives at the prep units are stored on an unclean surface (slid between prep unit edges) between uses. During pauses in food preparation, utensils must be stored on a clean surface or in a clean, protected location. Knives were properly cleaned and moved to clean surface at the time of inspection.
3-304.12
Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment
Inspector notes: At the time of inspection, the Walk-in cooler was observed in need of repair/adjustment. The walk-in cooler ambient temperature was observed at 42 degrees Fahrenheit with food temperatures observed maintained at 43 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit. PIC placed call for adjustment at the time of inspection.
4-501.11
50
Apr 10, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used
47
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was El Tapatio last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at El Tapatio on file is from Oct 21, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at El Tapatio?
Across the inspection record, “proper hot holding temperatures” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at El Tapatio.
How does El Tapatio compare to other restaurants in Warwick?
El Tapatio most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Warwick average of 86.
Has El Tapatio's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Tapatio have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at El Tapatio 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 Tapatio inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, El Tapatio is inspected around two times per year on average.
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