La Pinata Mexican Restaurant
Last inspected: Jul 22, 2025
100
Score
Public records show seven inspections at La Pinata Mexican Restaurant stretching back to 2023. On Jul 22, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near four violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “insects, rodents & animals not present” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded four times.
The city-wide average for Warren sits at 90, putting La Pinata Mexican Restaurant on the better side of that line. Overall, the inspection record reads well.
7
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jul 22, 2025
Environmental Complaint
No violations found.
100
Mar 26, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 8 violations
Food not cooled to safe temperature within required time
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Chicken, which was prepared in advance, was not cooled to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in 2 hours and then to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 4 hours. Chicken observed in the walk-in cooler with temperature of 43 degrees F. Proper cooling procedures reviewed. Chicken was uncovered and divided into smaller containers.
3-501.14
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature
Inspector notes: Cooked chicken was observed held at 43 degrees Fahrenheit due to improper cooling. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food must be held at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below except during preparation, cooking, or active cooling. Chicken was uncovered and divided into smaller containers during inspection.
3-501.16(A)
No soap available at handwashing sink
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Soap and paper towels were not available at the hand-washing sink at the bar. Hand-washing sinks must always be provided with a supply of handsoap and paper towels for proper hand-washing.
6-301.11
Outer openings not protected against pests
Inspector notes: Doors to the outside, located in the receiving area and to the side of the bar, are not tight-fitting. Outer openings of a food establishment must be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by tight-fitting doors.
6-202.15
Cleaned equipment or utensils stored improperly
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Utensils (spoons) observed displayed with the lip surface up. Utensils are to be stored so that only the handles are touched by employees and consumers if consumer self-service is provided.
4-903.11(A)
Floor, wall, or ceiling surface not smooth or cleanable
Inspector notes: The floors in the bar and some areas of the kitchen/service area are constructed of concrete, which is not durable, easily cleanable, or non-absorbent. The materials for indoor floors must be durable, easily cleanable and nonabsorbent for areas subject to moisture such as food preparation areas, walk-in refrigerators, ware-washing areas, and toilet rooms.
6-101.11
Food stored improperly or exposed to contamination
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Boxes of tortilla chips were observed stored on the floor in the food storage room. Food must be stored at least 6 inches above the floor.
3-305.11
Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment
Inspector notes: Faucet of the prep sink was not in good repair. Faucet knobs for hot and cold water are missing. Equipment must be maintained in good repair. Faucet knobs have been ordered.
4-501.11
52
Jan 8, 2024
Re-Inspection
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Outer openings not protected against pests
Inspector notes: Doors to the outside, located in the back of the kitchen and the side of the building (near the bar), are not tight-fitting. Outer openings of a food establishment must be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by tight-fitting doors. Parts have been ordered to correct this issue.
6-202.15
95
Dec 28, 2023
Environmental Complaint
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Evidence of pests or pest control inadequate
Inspector notes: The presence of mice is not controlled as evidenced by a small amount of droppings observed behind the chest freezer and shelving unit. The presence of insects, rodents, and other pests must be controlled by routinely inspecting the premises for evidence of pests, using acceptable methods to control pests, eliminating harborage conditions, and routinely inspecting incoming shipments of food and supplies. Establishment has active pest control. Areas of droppings must be thoroughly cleaned in order to observe any new activity. Pest control service is to be increased as needed.
6-501.111
Outer openings not protected against pests
Inspector notes: Doors to the outside, located in the kitchen and at the side of the restaurant (near the bar), are not tight-fitting. Outer openings of a food establishment must be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by tight-fitting doors.
6-202.15
86
Nov 16, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 6 violations
Chemical sanitizer does not meet required criteria
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Chlorine sanitizer solution was observed in excess of 200 parts per million (ppm). A chlorine sanitizer solution applied to food contact surfaces must be between 50-100 ppm. Sanitizer concentration was adjusted and at 100 ppm at the end of inspection.
7-204.11
Food thawed using improper method
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: ROP fish observed in the prep unit without opening the package. Directions state to remove from package when thawing. Fish temperature observed at 37 degrees F. Fish was removed from ROP packaging.
3-501.13
Thermometers provided & accurate
Inspector notes: Thermometers are lacking in refrigeration unit(s). Cold holding equipment used for time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods must have at least one thermometer that is located to allow easy viewing of the temperature display.
4-203.12
Food storage containers not labeled with contents
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Working containers of dry ingredients are not labeled with the common name of the food. Working containers holding food or food ingredients that are removed from their original packages, such as flour, herbs, salt, sugar, and spices must be labeled with the common name of the food.
3-302.12
Outer openings not protected against pests
Inspector notes: The door to the outside, located in the receiving area, is not tight-fitting. Outer openings of a food establishment must be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by tight-fitting doors.
6-202.15
Floor, wall, or ceiling surface not smooth or cleanable
Inspector notes: The floors in the bar and some places in the kitchen, are constructed of concrete which is not durable, easily cleanable, or non-absorbent. The materials for indoor floors must be durable, easily cleanable and nonabsorbent for areas subject to moisture such as food preparation areas, walk-in refrigerators, ware-washing areas, and toilet rooms. Extra time is needed to get supplies and schedule time to be able to do this. Corrective action date has been extended.
6-101.11
61
May 22, 2023
Re-Inspection
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Food-contact surfaces: cleaned and sanitized
Inspector notes: The chlorine sanitizer concentration for the sanitizing cycle of the bar dishwasher was 0 parts per million (ppm). Chlorine sanitizing solutions must be between 50-100 ppm. Bar dishwasher has been placed out of service and kitchen dishwasher is to be used until bar dishwasher is reaching proper sanitizing concentration.
4-501.114
Consumer advisory not provided for raw or undercooked food
Inspector notes: The consumer advisory provided does not disclose the foods on the menu that are raw or undercooked. Owner/operator is in the process of correcting this.
3-603.11
Sanitizer test kit not available
Inspector notes: The facility is lacking test strips to measure the concentration of the chlorine sanitizing solution for the kitchen and bar dishwashers.
4-302.14
Floor, wall, or ceiling surface not smooth or cleanable
Inspector notes: The floors in the bar area are constructed of concrete which is not durable, easily cleanable, or non-absorbent. The materials for indoor floors must be durable, easily cleanable and nonabsorbent for areas subject to moisture such as food preparation areas, walk-in refrigerators, ware-washing areas, and toilet rooms. Flooring is scheduled to be redone later this year.
6-101.11
67
May 11, 2023
Routine
3 critical violations. 5 major violations. 5 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 13 violations
Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked animal foods
Inspector notes: Bottle of liquor observed being stored in the ice used for drinks. Bottles cannot be stored in the same ice used for customer drinks.
3-303.11
Food separated and protected
Inspector notes: The chlorine sanitizer concentration for the sanitizing cycle of the dishwashers in the kitchen and at the bar was 0 parts per million (ppm). Chlorine sanitizing solutions must be between 50-100 ppm. Dishwasher may be used to wash and rinse equipment/utensils/barware. Sanitizing must be done at the 3-bay sink until dishwashers are serviced and have proper concentration of chlorine for sanitizing.
4-501.114
Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Raw animal foods were not stored properly to prevent cross-contamination. Except when combined as ingredients, different types of raw animal foods must be separated from each other during storage by using separate equipment or arrranging each type of food in equipment so that cross contamination of one type with another is prevented.
3-302.11
Person in charge lacks food safety knowledge
Inspector notes: Management's plan for assessing, monitoring, and controlling foodborne disease hazards is inadequate.
2-102.11
No soap available at handwashing sink
Inspector notes: Soap and paper towels are not available at the hand-washing sink in the kitchen and at the bar. Hand-washing sinks must be provided with a supply of hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap and paper towels for proper handwashing.
6-301.11
Equipment or utensils not clean
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Food contact surfaces of equipment/utensils were observed with an accumulation of dried food and debris. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch.
4-601.11(A)
Consumer advisory not provided for raw or undercooked food
Inspector notes: Beef products (steak) are served raw or undercooked to the customer's request. A written consumer advisory (on the menu, table tent, or placard) is not provided to the consumer informing them of the significantly increased risk associated with certain vulnerable consumers eating such food in a raw or undercooked form.
3-603.11
Working containers of toxic materials not identified
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Spray bottles used for storing chemicals taken from bulk supplies were not marked with the common name of the chemical.
7-102.11
Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment
Inspector notes: Dishwasher located in the bar area was not in good repair. Duct tape observed holding the bottom section together. Dishwasher must be properly repaired.
4-501.11
Floor, wall, or ceiling surface not smooth or cleanable
Inspector notes: The floors in the bar area and in a couple of areas in the kitchen are constructed of concrete which is not durable, easily cleanable, or non-absorbent. The materials for indoor floors must be durable, easily cleanable and nonabsorbent for areas subject to moisture such as food preparation areas, walk-in refrigerators, ware-washing areas, and toilet rooms.
6-101.11
Employee eating, drinking, or using tobacco in food area
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Open employee beverage containers observed stored in a food preparation areas. Employees shall not drink from open beverage containers in order to prevent contamination of their hands, the container, and exposed food.
2-401.11
Employee not wearing required hair restraint
Inspector notes: Staff were observed not wearing hair restraints. Food employees must wear hair restraints such as hats, hair coverings, or nets that are worn to effectively keep their hair from contacting exposed food, clean equipment/utensils, linens, and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles.
2-402.11
Gloves used incorrectly or not changed when required
Inspector notes: Employees observed wearing the same gloves when moving around the kitchen touching various surfaces. Gloves must be worn and changed as needed for food safety. Hand-washing must be done prior to putting on gloves and when changing gloves.
3-304.15(B)
30
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Pinata Mexican Restaurant last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Pinata Mexican Restaurant on file is from Jul 22, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Pinata Mexican Restaurant?
Across the inspection record, “insects, rodents & animals not present” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at La Pinata Mexican Restaurant.
How does La Pinata Mexican Restaurant compare to other restaurants in Warren?
La Pinata Mexican Restaurant most recently scored 100 out of 100, which is higher than the Warren average of 90.
Has La Pinata Mexican Restaurant's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at La Pinata Mexican Restaurant have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at La Pinata Mexican Restaurant 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 La Pinata Mexican Restaurant inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Pinata Mexican Restaurant is inspected around three times per year on average.
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