Re-inspection
Sep 24, 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, Sep 24, 2026 · Original Source
Restaurant Food Facility · San Diego County, CA
El Tapatio
260 Palm Ave
Last inspected Sep 24, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
Not scored
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Repeat problemsSerious findings or closures appear in two or more of the last three inspections. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
14 inspectionsRe-inspection
Sep 11, 2026
Not scored
1 recorded violation
criticalCode 9Food temperature
Official wording
Proper cooling methods
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 temperatureOfficial record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Sep 11, 2026 · Original Source
Routine
Aug 20, 2026
A Grade
Official score: 90 · 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 temperaturecriticalCode 9Food temperature
Official wording
Proper cooling methods
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 temperatureminorCode 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 problemsminorCode 23Pests
Official wording
No rodents, insects, birds or animals
In plain English
The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.
More about signs of rodents or insectsOfficial record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Aug 20, 2026 · Original Source
Environmental
Aug 20, 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, Aug 20, 2026 · Original Source
Routine
Oct 13, 2025
A Grade
Official score: 91 · Understand this area’s scale
7 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 temperatureminorCode 23Pests
Official wording
No rodents, insects, birds or animals
In plain English
The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.
More about signs of rodents or insectsminorCode 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 findingminorCode 28Other
Official wording
Fruits & vegetables washed
In plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingminorCode 36Equipment and utensils
Official wording
Equipment/ Utensils/ Linens - storage, use
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 issuesminorCode 44Pests
Official wording
Premises, personal / cleaning items, vermin-proofing
In plain English
The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.
More about signs of rodents or insectsminorCode 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 problemsOfficial record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Oct 13, 2025 · Original Source
Re-inspection
Sep 24, 2024
Not scored
1 recorded violation
minorCode 23Pests
Official wording
No rodents, insects, birds or animals
In plain English
The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.
More about signs of rodents or insectsOfficial record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Sep 24, 2024 · Original Source
Routine
Sep 16, 2024
A Grade
Official score: 92 · Understand this area’s scale
5 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 temperaturecriticalCode 18Other
Official wording
Compliance with:
In plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingminorCode 23Pests
Official wording
No rodents, insects, birds or animals
In plain English
The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.
More about signs of rodents or insectsminorCode 30Other
Official wording
Food storage; food storage containers identified
In plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingminorCode 33Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
Nonfood contact surfaces 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 problemsOfficial record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Sep 16, 2024 · Original Source
Environmental
Sep 16, 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, Sep 16, 2024 · Original Source
Re-inspection
Sep 27, 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, Sep 27, 2023 · Original Source
Routine
Sep 11, 2023
A Grade
Official score: 90 · Understand this area’s scale
6 recorded violations
criticalCode 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 temperatureminorCode 23Pests
Official wording
No rodents, insects, birds or animals
In plain English
The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.
More about signs of rodents or insectsminorCode 26Food temperature
Official wording
Approved thawing methods used, frozen food
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 temperatureminorCode 28Other
Official wording
Fruits & vegetables washed
In plain English
An issue that does not fit the common categories. Check the official wording for details.
More about other findingminorCode 40Cleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
Wiping cloths -properly used, stored
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 problemsminorCode 44Pests
Official wording
Premises, personal / cleaning items, vermin-proofing
In plain English
The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.
More about signs of rodents or insectsOfficial record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Sep 11, 2023 · Original Source
Status Verification
Aug 26, 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, Aug 26, 2023 · Original Source
Site Investigation
Jun 13, 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, Jun 13, 2023 · Original Source
Re-inspection
Jan 12, 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, Jan 12, 2023 · Original Source
Re-inspection
Jan 5, 2023
Not scored
1 recorded violation
criticalCode 9Food temperature
Official wording
Proper cooling methods
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 temperatureOfficial record from County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Jan 5, 2023 · Original Source
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