Restaurant Food Facility · San Diego County, CA

El Nopalito Hideaway Mexican Restaurant

Name: El Nopalito Hideaway Mexican Restaurant
Address: 582 Santa Fe Dr, San Diego County, CA

582 Santa Fe Dr

Last inspected Jul 17, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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SteadyThe last two inspections recorded a similar number of violations. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

12 inspections

Routine

Jul 17, 2026

Closed

The health department recorded a closure at this inspection.

2 recorded violations

criticalCode 22Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Sewage & wastewater properly disposed

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

minorCode 45Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floor, walls and ceilings - built, maintained, clean

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Jul 17, 2026 · Original Source

Routine

Jul 17, 2026

A Grade

Official score: 98 · Understand this area’s scale

2 recorded violations

minorCode 41Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Plumbing -proper backflow devices

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

minorCode 45Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floor, walls and ceilings - built, maintained, clean

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Jul 17, 2026 · Original Source

Re-inspection

Jul 17, 2026

Not scored

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Jul 17, 2026 · Original Source

Routine

Aug 20, 2025

A Grade

Official score: 95 · Understand this area’s scale

4 recorded violations

minorCode 7Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot & cold holding temperatures

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

minorCode 27Other

Official wording

Food separated and protected

In plain English

An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.

More about other finding

minorCode 35Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Equipment / Utensils -approved, installed, good repair, capacity

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

minorCode 45Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floor, walls and ceilings - built, maintained, clean

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Aug 20, 2025 · Original Source

Re-inspection

May 29, 2025

Not scored

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, May 29, 2025 · Original Source

Re-inspection

Feb 18, 2025

Not scored

1 recorded violation

criticalCode 7Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot & cold holding temperatures

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Feb 18, 2025 · Original Source

Routine

Dec 10, 2024

A Grade

Official score: 96 · Understand this area’s scale

3 recorded violations

minorCode 7Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot & cold holding temperatures

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

minorCode 38Facility maintenance

Official wording

Adequate ventilation/ Lighting - designated areas, use

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

minorCode 45Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floor, walls and ceilings - built, maintained, clean

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Dec 10, 2024 · Original Source

Re-inspection

Jan 26, 2024

Not scored

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Jan 26, 2024 · Original Source

Re-inspection

Jan 12, 2024

Not scored

2 recorded violations

minorCode 6Handwashing

Official wording

Adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

Official wording

Proper hot & cold holding temperatures

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Jan 12, 2024 · Original Source

Routine

Dec 28, 2023

A Grade

Official score: 92 · Understand this area’s scale

3 recorded violations

minorCode —Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

1b. Food Handler Training

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

criticalCode 7Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot & cold holding temperatures

In plain English

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

minorCode 14Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food contact surfaces clean & sanitized

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Dec 28, 2023 · Original Source

Re-inspection

Dec 28, 2023

Not scored

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Dec 28, 2023 · Original Source

Routine

Jan 25, 2023

A Grade

Official score: 94 · Understand this area’s scale

2 recorded violations

criticalCode 5Handwashing

Official wording

Hands clean & properly washed; gloves used properly

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

Official wording

Food contact surfaces clean & sanitized

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Jan 25, 2023 · Original Source