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Restaurant · Minneapolis, MN

El Sazon

2819 Nicollet Ave

Last inspected Jun 22, 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

3 inspections

Routine

Jun 22, 2026

Complete

Official score: 98 · Understand this area’s scale

3 recorded violations

minorCode MN Rule 4626.0033APermits, training, and postings

Official wording

The business must employ at least one valid Minnesota Food Protection Manager's certification (CFPM). Find more information on the Minnesota Department of Health web page.

Inspector’s notes

At least one employee must take a food safety class and submit their certificate to MDH to obtain a CFPM certificate and post it in the facility.

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
minorCode MN Rule 4626.0285BCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping cloths used for wiping surfaces must: • Be held in an approved sanitizing solution • Laundered daily

Inspector’s notes

Wiping cloths were being stored on the counter instead of in a bucket with approved sanitizer.

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
majorCode MN Rule 4626.0710BFood temperature

Official wording

Have an item to verify the surface temperature of dishes reaches 160 degrees F inside mechanical hot water dishwashers.

Inspector’s notes

No thermometer or thermolabels were available for verifying the hot water rinse on the dish machine. Some were given to the operator.

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

Official record from Minneapolis Health Department, Jun 22, 2026 · Original Source

Follow-Up

Jun 27, 2025

Complete

Official score: 98 · Understand this area’s scale

3 recorded violations

minorCode MCO 188.390Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

The business license must be posted where it can be easily seen.

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
minorCode MN Rule 4626.0033APermits, training, and postings

Official wording

The business must employ at least one valid Minnesota Food Protection Manager's certification (CFPM). Find more information on the Minnesota Department of Health web page.

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
majorCode MN Rule 4626.0705BFood temperature

Official wording

Have a thin-tipped food thermometer easily available to measure the internal temperature of thin pieces of 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 temperature

Official record from Minneapolis Health Department, Jun 27, 2025 · Original Source

Routine

Jun 26, 2025

Complete

Official score: 88 · Understand this area’s scale

7 recorded violations

criticalCode MN Rule 4626.0040COther

Official wording

Keep a log to record employee illness symptoms. Have it available upon request.

Inspector’s notes

No illness log was being kept. One was left with the operator

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode MCO 188.390Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

The business license must be posted where it can be easily seen.

Inspector’s notes

No license was posted.

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 MN Rule 4626.0395A2Food temperature

Official wording

Keep all cold TCS foods at 41 degrees F or colder under mechanical refrigeration.

Inspector’s notes

Several food items were above 41 in the prep table and cooler. Some items had just been prepped and placed in the cooler. Check the temperature after some time and verify that the temp has dropped below 41F. If not, move the food to another cooler and have the unit repaired.

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 MN Rule 4626.0275CCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Store in-use food preparation and serving utensils only on clean, sanitized surfaces.

Inspector’s notes

The tongs were hanging on the oven door handle where they could be brushed against dirty clothing and become contaminated. Store them on a surface where this can not happen.

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
minorCode MN Rule 4626.0033APermits, training, and postings

Official wording

The business must employ at least one valid Minnesota Food Protection Manager's certification (CFPM). Find more information on the Minnesota Department of Health web page.

Inspector’s notes

At least one employee must take a food safety class and send in their certificate to MDH to become a CFPM. Visit https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/food/cfpm/index.html for more information.

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
majorCode MN Rule 4626.1110ABHandwashing

Official wording

Keep handwashing sinks accessible at all times. Make sure they are only used for handwashing.

Inspector’s notes

The handsink was blocked with the sanitizer bucket and other items, so handwashing could not occur. This was corrected immediately.

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.

More about handwashing problems
majorCode MN Rule 4626.0705BFood temperature

Official wording

Have a thin-tipped food thermometer easily available to measure the internal temperature of thin pieces of food.

Inspector’s notes

No food thermometer was available at the time of the inspection. Have one available that is able to measure a variety of food being cooked or hot hold.

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

Official record from Minneapolis Health Department, Jun 26, 2025 · Original Source

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