El Taco Cafe
Last inspected: Dec 10, 2025
47
Score
EL TACO CAFE, located at 19202 Stone Oak Pkwy #111 in San Antonio, TX, underwent a high-risk inspection on December 10, 2025, resulting in a score of 47. This inspection identified one critical violation, two major violations, and eight minor violations, including issues with food date labeling and dish machine sanitizer concentration. Previous inspections for EL TACO CAFE have generally fallen into the medium-risk category.
8
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
8
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 10, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Raw and ready-to-eat foods not properly separated
3-302.11(A)(2)(b)
Cold hold units without visible thermometers. Ensure all cold hold units have thermometer near the door where warmest and easily readable.
missing date labeling on TCS/RTE foods being held. Label all opened, thawed, or prepared onsite ready to eat temperature controlled for safety foods with an expiration date. Ensure expiration date does not exceed 7 days with prep date counting as day 1.
Plastic bowls and styrofoam bowls left in food containers as scoops. Only use durable scoops with handles that can remain above food
cleaning needed (equipment, shelving, cooler handles, etc)
Store wet in use wiping cloths in sanitizing solution between uses. Do not use handsink to wash wiping cloths
Dish machine failing to properly dispense sanitizer at required concentration. Sanitize cleaned wares in three compartment sink until repaired. Use test strips to ensure proper concentration of sanitizer
Single service plastic food containers being used to hold foods in hot hold. Discontinue reuse of single service containers. Only use durable food containers that can retain good condition during heating and warewashing.
Thawed cooked meat and pastor strips held at room temperature with food temperature of 60 degrees F. Said to have been thawing. Ensure proper thawing methods are used
Utensils observed cracked/broken. Remove from use when damaged
Flies present in cook area. Back door propped open. Ensure outer openings are protected from entry of pests
47
Jun 23, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Feb 18, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food permit expired 8-301.11.1 Permit Requirement, Prerequisite for Operation.
8-301.11.1
Working containers of toxic materials not identified
7-102.11
Dish machine in use failing to properly dispense sanitizer at required concentration. Sanitize cleaned wares in three compartment sink until repaired. Use test strips to ensure proper concentration of sanitizer
Leak on back of dish machine near backflow preventer. Repair.
70
Sep 20, 2024
Routine
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Working containers of toxic materials not identified
7-102.11
No date labeling on TCS/RTE foods being held. Label all opened, thawed, or prepared onsite ready to eat temperature controlled for safety foods with an expiration date. Ensure expiration date does not exceed 7 days with prep date counting as day 1.
Dish machine in use failing to properly dispense sanitizer at required concentration. Sanitize cleaned wares in three compartment sink until repaired. Use test strips to ensure proper concentration of sanitizer
Store wet in use wiping cloths in sanitizing solution between uses.
Styrofoam bowl floating in container of sauce. Ensure all scoops left in Bulk food containers have a handle that can remain out of the food.
Leak on back of dish machine near backflow preventer. Repair.
cleaning needed (equipment, shelving, etc)
64
May 13, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Green sauce made yesterday 53°F, discard.
Working containers of toxic materials not identified
7-102.11
Person in charge lacks food safety knowledge
2-102.11(A)
Store wet in use wiping cloths in sanitizing solution between uses.
Dish machine in use failing to properly dispense sanitizer at required concentration. Sanitize cleaned wares in three compartment sink until repaired. Use test strips to ensure proper concentration of sanitizer
Ceiling tile missing over food handling area. Replace missing ceiling tile or cover with nonabsorbant material until repaired.
Styrofoam bowl floating in container of sauce. Ensure all scoops left in Bulk food containers have a handle that can remain out of the food.
58
Dec 12, 2023
Routine
3 critical violations. 4 major violations.
View 7 violations
Sanitization method does not meet required temperatures or concentration
4-703.11(C)(1)
Backup at grease trap area of sewage water disposal. Grease trap overflowing and three compartment sink not draining properly. Issue corrected while onsite. 5-403.11(B) Capacity and drainage.
5-403.11(B)
Food not cooled to safe temperature within required time
3-501.14(A)(2)
Improper cooling methods used
3-501.15(A)
RTE TCS food prepared onsite and held longer than 24 hours without required date marking. Ensure expiration date does not exceed 7 days with prep date counting as day 1.
Person in charge lacks food safety knowledge
2-102.11(A)
No soap or sanitizer being dispenced in mechanical warewashing machine. Ensure all wares are washed, rinsed, and sanitized in three compartment sink until repaired. 4-204.117(A) Ware washing machines, automatic dispensing of detergents and sanitizers. A ware washing machine that is installed after adoption of these rules by the regulatory authority, shall be equipped to automatically dispense detergents and sanitizers.
4-204.117(A)
43
Aug 31, 2023
Routine
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
RTE TCS food prepared onsite and held longer than 24 hours without required date marking. Ensure expiration date does not exceed 7 days with prep date counting as day 1.
Working containers of toxic materials not identified
7-102.11
No hand drying provision at handwashing sink
6-301.12
No detergent or sanitizer being dispensed at mechanical dish machine in use. Ensure three compartment sink is used for warewashing until repaired.
Single service Styrofoam cups left in food storage containers. Ensure durable scoops left in bulk food containers have a handle that can remain above the food
67
May 25, 2023
Routine
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature
3-501.16(A)(2)
Food not cooled to safe temperature within required time
3-501.14(A)(2)
Raw chicken stored over other proteins and RTE foods in reach in cooler. Ensure foods are organized so raw chicken is stored below Ready to eat foods and other raw proteins.
Working containers of toxic materials not identified
7-102.11
RTE TCS food prepared onsite and held longer than 24 hours without required date marking. Ensure expiration date does not exceed 7 days with prep date counting as day 1.
Improper cooling methods used
3-501.15(A)
No detectible level of sanitizer at mechanical dish machine. Ensure cleaned wares are sanitized in three compartment sink until repaired.
Warewashing equipment not cleaned at required frequency
4-501.14
Single service Styrofoam cups left in food storage containers. Ensure scoops left in bulk food containers have a handle that can remain above the food
41
Nearby Restaurants