Taco Real Mexican Food
Last inspected: Sep 30, 2024
29
Score
Across the available record, Taco Real Mexican Food has seven inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Sep 30, 2024. A high risk tier suggests the facility had a rough recent inspection, with multiple violations on record.
Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around seven violations per visit lately, up from roughly four violations before.
Looking across the full record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
By comparison, the average Fort Lauderdale facility scores 80, putting Taco Real Mexican Food on the weaker side. There are enough flags in the record to merit a second thought.
7
Inspections
2
Critical latest
5
Major latest
9
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 30, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 16 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked beef (109F - Hot Holding); diced cooked chicken (118F - Hot Holding) in steam table without water. Per operator held out of temperature less than one hour. Operator added more water and increased temperature of unit. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw chicken over unwashed mushroom in walk-in cooler.
08A-04-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed drink shaker in hand washing sink at the bar.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink at the bar and women's restroom.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Employee hired 2 weeks ago. Emailed form
11-26-1
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance sanitizer not labeled at the bar underneath hand washing sink.
41-17-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime.
22-02-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured in rear kitchen.
51-11-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance by walk-in cooler.
36-34-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed sixth pans not properly air-dried - wet nesting on rack.
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed plastic container of cooking oil stored on the floor on cook line.
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed handle of spoon in contact with pico. Operator removed **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed Interior of two microwaves on cook line has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gasket on grista reach in freezer soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.
23-03-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. In mop sink.
42-01-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed plastic soufflé cup with no handle used to dispense cheese. Operator removed **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
29
Jan 30, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed boxes blocking handwashing sink at back dish washing area. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee wireless headphones on prep cooler at line cook area. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed single serve boxes not inverted steam table area. Operator turned boxes over. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
25-06-4
82
Nov 2, 2023
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no paper towels at hand washing sink. Operator provided paper towels. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed unknown chemical in spay bottle with no label.
41-17-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed single serve containers not inverted. Operator turned boxes over. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
78
Jun 26, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
82
Nov 22, 2022
Complaint Full
No violations found.
100
Nov 21, 2022
Complaint Full
5 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee touch masked face with bare hand and fail to wash hands before handling trays with to be delivered to consumers. **Warning**
12A-25-4
High Priority - Pesticide-emitting strip present in food prep area. Observed pesticide emitting strips in warewashing area stored above clean cutting boards, pots and ladles. Operator removed and discarded. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-24-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed raw shrimp, breaded in pan stored above fully cooked brisket in rear freezer. Operator removed shrimp and stored below brisket. **Warning**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cook line cooler - lettuce cut (46F - Cold Holding); guacamole with pico d gallo (48F - Cold Holding); feta cheese (45F - Cold Holding); salsa (45F - Cold Holding); cooked Pablano pepper (47F - Cold Holding); drawers cook line - raw shrimp (48F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (46F - Cold Holding); raw beef (44F - Cold Holding); cheddar jack cheese (45F - Cold Holding); pico d gallo (46F - Cold Holding); Oreo cream filled churros (46F - Cold Holding), per operator products in cooler were moved from walk-in cooler approximately 2 to 3 hours prior (12 pm-1:30 pm). Operator removed items and stored in walk-in with ice bags to rapidly cool. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed standing hot hold case - white rice (125F - Hot Holding); yellow rice (124F - Hot Holding);, per operator cooked at 1 pm. Operator removed and reheated in microwave to 174F and 182F. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
03B-01-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed soda gun soiled with slime like substance at front bar area. Operator cleaned at time of inspection. Observed can opener blade soiled with food debris in rear food prep area. **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Observed 3 food prep employees in kitchen area and 3 front of house employees handing plates to go out to consumers working and no certified food manager present at time of inspection. **Warning**
53A-05-6
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed employee soda and water stored in back up make table. Operator removed and discarded products. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
12B-13-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Observed single service articles on counter not inverted. Operator inverted at time of inspection. **Warning**
25-06-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed chicken thawing in rear prep area at room temperature. Operator removed and stored in walk-in to control thawing. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
06-01-5
33
Sep 14, 2022
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. -Observed 1 badly dented can with black beans on storage shelf.
01B-01-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. -Observed raw shrimp cold held at 44 degrees Fahrenheit in refrigerator drawers. Advice operator to place ice pack on shrimp for quick chill. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.
29-42-4
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. -Observed all employees training certification expired on 2/25/2022.
53B-05-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. -Observed accumulated old food residue on can opener blade.
22-02-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. -Observed employee personal item stored on shelf in walk-in cooler. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. -Observed old food residue buildup in reachin freezer at prep station.
22-16-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. -Observed chicken thawing in standing water at prep sink. Operator place item under running water. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
45
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taco Real Mexican Food last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taco Real Mexican Food on file is from Sep 30, 2024. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Taco Real Mexican Food?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Taco Real Mexican Food.
How does Taco Real Mexican Food compare to other restaurants in Fort Lauderdale?
Taco Real Mexican Food most recently scored 29 out of 100, which is lower than the Fort Lauderdale average of 80.
Has Taco Real Mexican Food's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Taco Real Mexican Food have averaged around seven violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Taco Real Mexican Food means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Taco Real Mexican Food inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Taco Real Mexican Food is inspected around three times per year on average.
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