Taco's Queen
Last inspected: Feb 6, 2026
58
Score
The health department has logged 13 inspections at Taco's Queen, the earliest from 2022. On Feb 6, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
The trend has not been favorable: recent inspections average around four violations each, up from closer to two violations before.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “time/temperature control for safety food cold held”, showing up five times.
That's lower than the typical St. Augustine restaurant, which scores around 81. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.
13
Inspections
2
Critical latest
1
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 6, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Made yesterday; In low cooler; rice 45F
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Made yesterday; In low cooler; rice 45F **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked fish and rice not dated. Person in charge dated **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Aprons hanging off rack with clean dishes. Person removed aprons. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Wet cloth under cutting board. Person in charge removed. **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Case of oil on floor. Person in charge moved oil. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
58
Jul 17, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 14, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Observed dishwasher at 0ppm Chlorine. Person in charge called service and set up triple sink at 200ppm quat. **Warning**
22-41-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed house made salsa center (47F - Cold Holding). Discussed size of container in ice. Person in charge placed salsa in smaller container and placed deep in ice. Extra salsa was placed in reach in cooler too cool. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Observed gallon of milk from Saturday per person in charge missing date mark. Person in charge added date mark. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Establishment conducts non-continuous cooking of raw animal foods without written procedures approved by the division. Observed partially cooked chicken on front counter. Discussed with person in charge and provided blank written procedures for operator. **Corrective Action Taken**
03C-89-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed dish in bulk rice container. Discussed with person in charge. **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler gaskets on front counter soiled with black/green mold like substance. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed three wet wiping cloths on prep table not stored in sanitizer. Discussed with person in charge.
21-12-4
52
Jan 31, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jan 28, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed queso cheese (45F - Cold Holding); pico (45F - Cold Holding); refried beans (45F - Cold Holding) in walk in cooler near door. Person in charge stated door left own during prep for less than an hour. Person in charge had employees place food in back of cooler to cool. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed hand washing station in back kitchen without soap. Person in charge added soap. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed bowl with no handle used to scoop rice. Person in charge removed bowl from rice. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed two ceiling tiles soiled with black/green mold like substance Observed two ceiling tiles missing in kitchen. Observed two ceiling tiles showing signs of water damage.
36-32-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gasket soiled on reach in cooler with food debris. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
67
Jul 16, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jul 8, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
58
Dec 1, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw shell eggs above raw pork in walk-in cooler. Person in charge placed shell eggs on bottom shelf. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Observed chicken and cooked onions in very deep bins with single bag of ice on top. Discussed with operator of alternate methods of cooling and provided DBPR Form HR 5030-064. chicken 1100 (124F - Cooling) 1135 (110F - Cooling) 1230; cooked onions 1100 (128F - Cooling) 1135 (120F - Cooling) 1230 Person in charge placed chicken and onions on sheet pans and placed in walk-in freezer. **Corrected On-Site**
03D-15-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand washing station by Dishmachine blocked by storage shelves. Kitchen has another hand washing station adjacent to kitchen entrance. Discussed with person in charge to ask plan review if removal of blocked hand washing station is permitted.
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed refried beans made two day prior to inspection per person in charge not date marked. Person in charge added date mark. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-02-5
Basic - Clean equipment and utensils stored in a room that is not fully enclosed (open to outdoors/screened). Observed cutting boards being dried outside back door on rack. Discussed with person in charge. Person in charge brought cutting boards back inside and had them rewashed and sanitized. **Corrected On-Site**
24-24-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on reach in coolers on front counter soiled with food debris and black/green mold like substance.
23-03-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old date labels stuck to clean food containers stacked on drain boards. Discussed with person in charge. **Repeat Violation**
16-46-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed frozen soiled sauces and chicken in freezer not covered. Discussed with person in charge. **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
52
Jul 12, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
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/ Person in charge does not have food manager certification. Certified food manager on vacation.
53A-05-6
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling tile water damage in kitchen above office door. Observed black/green mold like substance on ceiling by AC vents.
36-32-5
Basic - Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed squeeze bottle used for food with cracks and hole on the bottom. Showed and discussed with person in charge.
14-38-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed three crates of onions on floor of walk-in cooler. Observed one plastic tub of tomatoes on floor of walk-in cooler. Observed box of chicken on floor in walk-in freezer. Discussed with person in charge. Person in charge started moving food to shelves. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels stuck to clean food containers on drying rack above triple sink.
16-46-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed several jugs of sauces and salsa stored uncovered in walk-in freezer. Discussed with person in charge. Person in charge added lids to all food. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
08B-12-5
70
Jan 6, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
58
Aug 3, 2022
Complaint Partial
No violations found.
100
Jul 29, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. reach in cooler by griddle:; cut tomatoes (50F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese x3 (45F-50F - Cold Holding); pork x 2 (47F - Cold Holding); shrimp (47F - Cold Holding); cooked onions (50F - Cold Holding); cut tomatoes (45F - Cold Holding); refried beans (50F - Cold Holding) Reach in cooler ambient 39F. Establishment just finish major lunch rush. Discussed better storage options with operator. Explained temperature requirements even through busy rush. All items were placed in walk-in freezer and temperature was take 42F or below. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-27: High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. reach in cooler by griddle:; cut tomatoes (49F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese (43F - Cold Holding); pork x 2 (43F - Cold Holding); shrimp (50F - Cold Holding); cooked onions (47F - Cold Holding); cut tomatoes (49F - Cold Holding); cooked vegetables (49F - Cold Holding); raw beef rib (49F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (51F -Cold Holding); cooked chicken (60F - Cooling); Reach in cooler ambient 40F. Flip-top cooler portion of cooler all 43F or below. Cooler drawers all out of temperature. Person in charge has work order for Friday morning for cooler repair service. Discussed with person in charge about not putting cooling products in the reach in cooler to cool. All items were placed in ice bath by person in charge. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-29: cut tomatoes (48F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese (42F - Cold Holding); pork x 2 (43F - Cold Holding); shrimp (51F - Cold Holding); cooked onions (45F - Cold Holding); cut tomatoes (49F - Cold Holding); cooked vegetables (51F - Cold Holding); raw beef rib (47F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (45F -Cold Holding); Cooked pork (50F - Cooling); Cooked Chicken (55F - Cooling) explained to operator that cooling meat and cooked vegetables in flip-top cooler top cooler is not adequate. Cooling product is heating up the surrounding cold holding product. Person in charge started placed bags of ice on all the cold holding products. The cooling items were placed in shallow pans into the walk-in freezer. Discussed proper cooling methods to person in charge for future. **Admin Complaint**
03A-02-5
86
Jul 27, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. reach in cooler by griddle:; cut tomatoes (50F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese x3 (45F-50F - Cold Holding); pork x 2 (47F - Cold Holding); shrimp (47F - Cold Holding); cooked onions (50F - Cold Holding); cut tomatoes (45F - Cold Holding); refried beans (50F - Cold Holding) Reach in cooler ambient 39F. Establishment just finish major lunch rush. Discussed better storage options with operator. Explained temperature requirements even through busy rush. All items were placed in walk-in freezer and temperature was take 42F or below. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2022-07-27: High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. reach in cooler by griddle:; cut tomatoes (49F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese (43F - Cold Holding); pork x 2 (43F - Cold Holding); shrimp (50F - Cold Holding); cooked onions (47F - Cold Holding); cut tomatoes (49F - Cold Holding); cooked vegetables (49F - Cold Holding); raw beef rib (49F - Cold Holding); cooked chicken (51F -Cold Holding); cooked chicken (60F - Cooling); Reach in cooler ambient 40F. Flip-top cooler portion of cooler all 43F or below. Cooler drawers all out of temperature. Person in charge has work order for Friday morning for cooler repair service. Discussed with person in charge about not putting cooling products in the reach in cooler to cool. All items were placed in ice bath by person in charge. **Admin Complaint** **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Taco's Queen last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Taco's Queen on file is from Feb 6, 2026. The public record contains 13 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Taco's Queen?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Taco's Queen.
How does Taco's Queen compare to other restaurants in St. Augustine?
Taco's Queen most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the St. Augustine average of 81.
Has Taco's Queen's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Taco's Queen have averaged around four violations per visit, up from roughly two earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Taco's Queen 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 Taco's Queen inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Taco's Queen is inspected around four times per year on average.
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