Taco Macho

804 Burnt Hickory Rd, Cartersville, GA 30120
Mexican / Latin
License: Food Service
Last inspected: Jan 22, 2026
70
Score
Medium Risk

The health department has logged four inspections at Taco Macho, the earliest from 2024. The most recent report on file is from Jan 22, 2026. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.

Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near three violations per visit.

“Food separated and protected” comes up most often, recorded two times in the inspection record.

Taco Macho's latest score of 70 falls below the Cartersville average of 88. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.

4
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 22, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 4 violations
4-1A - food separated and protected (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed improper separation of raw animal foods and RTE foods in the reach-in cooler (raw shrimp and beef patties stored above RTE shredded beef and chicken). CA: Foods should be protected from cross contamination through proper segregation of Raw and RTE foods. COS: Staff moved the RTE foods to the top shelf
511-6-1.04(4)(c)
2-2D - adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed no soap at the handwashing sink or available in the facility. CA: Each handwashing sink or group of two adjacent handwashing sinks shall be provided with a supply of hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap COS: Staff went to adjacent store to buy soap
511-6-1.07(3)(a)
14A - in-use utensils: properly stored (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed a scoop in a bulk container of salt with the handle laying in the food. CA: Scoops should be stored with the handle not in contact with the food or outside of the container to prevent contamination of the product. COS: PIC adjusted scoop to be handle up
511-6-1.04(4)(k)
2-2B - proper eating, tasting, drinking, or tobacco use (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed food prep employee drinking from a plastic water bottle and store it on the prep top counter. CA: Employee drinks should be stored in a disposable cup with lid and straw and stored to prevent contamination of food, prep surfaces and equipment, utensils, ect. COS: PIC removed water bottle from the kitchen
511-6-1.03(5)(k)
70
Aug 25, 2025
Routine
1 major violation. 1 minor violation. 1 corrected on site.
View 2 violations
2-2E - response procedures for vomiting & diarrheal events
Inspector notes: Observed facility without a bodily fluid clean up kit. CA: Facility must have a kit with written instructions for cleaning contamination and an EPA registered disinfectant that kills norovirus. EHS will verify PIC gets bodily fluid clean up kit.
511-6-1.03(6)
4-2A - food stored covered (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed food uncovered in the walk in cooler. CA: Food must be stored covered to avoid contamination. COS: Lids were placed on food items.
511-6-1.04(4)(c)
86
Feb 11, 2025
Routine
3 major violations.
View 3 violations
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: Observed bulk ice machine with pink build up on dispensing flap of machine. CA: Discussed with PIC, ice machine will be thoroughly cleaned and maintained a frequency of cleaning to ensure prevention of future build up.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
2-2A - management knowledge, responsibilities, reporting
Inspector notes: Observed no presentable employee health policies (reporting agreements). CA: Discussed with PIC, PIC was unsure if agreements were at another location. Discussed with PIC to have all employees read and sign acknowledgement. Provided copies to PIC
511-6-1.03(2)(o)
2-2E - response procedures for vomiting & diarrheal events
Inspector notes: Observed facility without a bodily fluid clean up kit. CA: Discussed with PIC, facility will purchase or assemble a kit asap.
511-6-1.03(6)
74
Jun 20, 2024
Routine
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations. 6 corrected on site.
View 7 violations
6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed all potentially hazardous TCS foods improperly cold holding above 41F in the self-serve salsa bar in the dining area and the prep cooler in the kitchen (see temp log). Also observed a bottle of sour cream stored ambient on the counter top that was out temp. CA: Discussed with PIC. Foods out of temp for less than 4 hours were moved to the walk-in cooler to rapidly cool. Foods out of temp for more than 4 hours were discarded. Both prep coolers are not to be used for cold holding TCS foods until serviced/replaced and re-checked by health dept for temperature verification. Discussed proper procedure for using time as a public health control as a short term solution until the coolers can be repaired or replaced. Salsa bar cooler needs an internal thermometer in addition to the digit...
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
6-2 - proper date marking and disposition (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed house made ready-to-eat food (orange salsa, pastor sauce) held past their 7 day marked expiration. Pastor was prepped 5/30/24, orange salsa was prepped 6/7/24). CA: PIC discarded. Discussed 7 day date marking procedure.
511-6-1.04(6)(h)
6-1B - proper hot holding temperatures (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed potentially hazardous TCS food improperly hot holding below 135F in the steam table (see temp log). CA: Discussed with PIC. PIC discarded chicken. PIC chose to reheat food items that were out of temp for less than 4 hours. Temperature setting was adjusted on the steam well; discussed proper set up (not overfilling the water so the pans are floating on top) and not double panning.
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
12D - washing fruits and vegetables (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed produce wash sink with a used dish stored inside. CA: PIC relocated mug to the three compartment sink. Discussed requirement for produce sink to be for washing/prep of produce only. Sink should be labelled.
511-6-1.04(4)(g)
14B - utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried, handled
Inspector notes: Observed clean pans stacked wet. CA: Discussed with PIC. Air drying is required after dishes and utensils have been cleaned/sanitized. Discussed adding a dish rack since space is a limitation.
511-6-1.05(10)(a)
12A - contamination prevented during food preparation, storage, display (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed tortillas stored uncovered in the walk-in cooler not protected from contamination; there is a leak in the ceiling of the cooler and the tortillas are stored underneath the leak. CA: Discussed with PIC. Until the leak is repaired, food should not be stored in the areas of the cooler affected by the overhead contamination of the leak. Due to space limitations, if this can't be avoided then the food must be covered and tightly sealed. Food that is uncovered in the cooler because it is actively cooling needs to be kept near the front of the cooler or use an alternative means of cooling (ex. ice bath).
511-6-1.04(4)(q)
12C - wiping cloths: properly used and stored (corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed wet sanitizer rag stored on prep counter in the kitchen. CA: PIC removed the towel. Discussed requirement for all sanitizer rags to be stored within the sanitizer solution between uses.
511-6-1.04(4)(m)
50

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Taco Macho last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Taco Macho on file is from Jan 22, 2026. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Taco Macho?

Across the inspection record, “food separated and protected” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Taco Macho.

How does Taco Macho compare to other restaurants in Cartersville?

Taco Macho most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Cartersville average of 88.

Has Taco Macho's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Taco Macho have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Taco Macho 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 Macho inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Taco Macho is inspected around three times per year on average.