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Restaurant · Minneapolis, MN

El Taco Riendo

2412 Central Ave Ne

Last inspected Aug 26, 2025 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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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

3 inspections

Routine

Aug 26, 2025

Complete

Official score: 96 · Understand this area’s scale

6 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

Observed no state certified food protection manager (CFPM). Obtain a CFPM certificate.

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 MCO 204.30AOther

Official wording

Provide containers for food or beverages prepared for takeout or to be eaten immediately. Containers must be reuseable, recyclable or compostable.

Inspector’s notes

Observed plastic cup with a #6 used as patron water cups - remove and provide compliance materials.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode MN Rule 4626.1260Other

Official wording

Have a covered trash can in toilet rooms.

Inspector’s notes

Observed both bathrooms with no lid to cover trash can - provide.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode MN Rule 4626.1325A1Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floors, walls and/or ceiling surfaces are missing. Install smooth, durable, and easily cleanable floor, wall and ceiling surfaces.

Inspector’s notes

Storage room observed with exposed wood floors - repair.

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 MCO 188.390Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Observed no current Minneapolis license posted in a conspicuous area - post license.

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

Observed pico (63*F) and guacamole (62*F) inside the cold station reading higher than 41*F. Maintain food temperature to 41*F or below.

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, Aug 26, 2025 · Original Source

Follow-Up

Aug 26, 2024

Complete

Official score: 92 · Understand this area’s scale

10 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

No certified food protection manager (CFPM). Employ a CFPM.

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 4626.0715Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Have a test kit for the type of sanitizer used.

Inspector’s notes

No quat test kit. Provide. Per the person in charge, the kit has been ordered.

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 4626.0915AEquipment and utensils

Official wording

Launder linens that do not come in direct contact with food between operations if they become wet, sticky, or visibly soiled.

Inspector’s notes

A wet towel was used to grip the cutting board. Discontinue this practice.

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 MCO 204.30AOther

Official wording

Provide containers for food or beverages prepared for takeout or to be eaten immediately. Containers must be reuseable, recyclable or compostable.

Inspector’s notes

Black plastic was observed at the business. Remove before the next inspection.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
criticalCode MN Rule 4626.0405AOther

Official wording

Throw away TCS foods seven days after being made or opened. Day one is the date food was made or opened.

Inspector’s notes

Salsa verde (8/16), salsa roja (8/13), salsa de tomale (8/17), and pollo con tomale (8/18) inside the basement walk-in cooler observed pass 7 days. Use or discard food within 7 days. Informed the person in charge to discard products and make smaller batches as necessary.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode MN Rule 4626.1457Handwashing

Official wording

Post a sign at all handwashing sinks used by employees to remind them to wash their hands.

Inspector’s notes

No handwashing sign was posted in both bathrooms. Post.

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
minorCode MN Rule 4626.1260Other

Official wording

Have a covered trash can in toilet rooms.

Inspector’s notes

No cover trash can in the bathrooms. Provide covered trash cans.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode MN Rule 4626.1325A1Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floors, walls and/or ceiling surfaces are missing. Install smooth, durable, and easily cleanable floor, wall and ceiling surfaces.

Inspector’s notes

Main level storage room observed with exposed wood floor. Have proper floor finishes. A health food plan link was provided when the routine report was sent.

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 4626.0705BFood 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 at the time of the inspection. Provide thermometer. Per the person in charge, thermometers are ordered.

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 MCO 188.390Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

No current license is posted. Post a copy of your Minneapolis business license. Per staff, there is a current license but it is not 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

Official record from Minneapolis Health Department, Aug 26, 2024 · Original Source

Routine

Aug 6, 2024

Complete

Official score: 84 · Understand this area’s scale

12 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

No certified food protection manager (CFPM). Employ a state CFPM.

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

Pico (46*F), cheese (46*F), and green salsa (46*F) inside the cold station; green salsa (53*F) inside the 1-door stand refrigerator was observed reading higher than 41*F during the inspection. Foods are taken out from bulk containers inside the walk-in cooler and portioned into smaller containers to be used. Discussed with the PIC to not let food sit out too long until stored in the cold holding units. Maintain cold food at 41*F or below at all times.

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
majorCode MN Rule 4626.0715Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Have a test kit for the type of sanitizer used.

Inspector’s notes

No quat test kit to test sanitizer used in the business. Provide test kits to test your sanitizers.

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
criticalCode MN Rule 4626.0040COther

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

No employee illness log at the time of the inspection. An illness log will be sent along with the report. Print and use employee illness log as necessary.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode MN Rule 4626.0915AEquipment and utensils

Official wording

Launder linens that do not come in direct contact with food between operations if they become wet, sticky, or visibly soiled.

Inspector’s notes

Wet towel used to grip cutting board. Discontinue this practice and provide proper materials to grip cutting board.

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 MCO 204.30AOther

Official wording

Provide containers for food or beverages prepared for takeout or to be eaten immediately. Containers must be reuseable, recyclable or compostable.

Inspector’s notes

#6 plastic cups and black plastic to-go containers observed at the business. Discontinue using non-compliance materials and provide compliance materials by the next inspection.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
criticalCode MN Rule 4626.0405AOther

Official wording

Throw away TCS foods seven days after being made or opened. Day one is the date food was made or opened.

Inspector’s notes

Pico (7/29) observed in the walk-in cooler pass 7 days. Discard. Informed the PIC to discard product at the time of the inspection and to use or discard food within 7 days.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode MN Rule 4626.1457Handwashing

Official wording

Post a sign at all handwashing sinks used by employees to remind them to wash their hands.

Inspector’s notes

No handwashing sign posted in both bathrooms for patrons and employees. Post handwashing sign in bathrooms.

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
minorCode MN Rule 4626.1260Other

Official wording

Have a covered trash can in toilet rooms.

Inspector’s notes

No cover trash can in both of the bathrooms where employee and patrons use. Provide covered trash can.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
minorCode MN Rule 4626.1325A1Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Floors, walls and/or ceiling surfaces are missing. Install smooth, durable, and easily cleanable floor, wall and ceiling surfaces.

Inspector’s notes

Storage room on the main floor observed with exposed wood floor. Have proper floor finishes. A link to the Health food plan review will be sent along with the report. Complete and submit the form before any work done to the storage room.

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 4626.0705BFood 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 onsite to temp food. Provide.

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 MCO 188.390Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

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

Inspector’s notes

Business do not have a current license posted in a conspicuous area. Post up current license.

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

Official record from Minneapolis Health Department, Aug 6, 2024 · Original Source

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