Restaurant · Nassau County, NY

Dirty Taco & Tequila

Name: Dirty Taco & Tequila
Address: 3261 Merrick Road, Nassau County, NY

3261 Merrick Road

Last inspected Feb 5, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

Read Reviews on Google

Non-critical violations only

Get the next inspection, free.

We'll email you when Dirty Taco & Tequila has a new health inspection. No spam, one-click unsubscribe.

Own this restaurant? Add an inspection badge to your website · Inspection prep checklist

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

The full inspection history

4 inspections

Inspection

Feb 5, 2026

Non-critical violations only

2 recorded violations

minorCode 11AOther

Official wording

Manual facilities inadequate, technique incorrect; mechanical facilities not operated in accordance with manufacturer's instructions

In plain English

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

More about other finding

minorCode 10ACleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food (ice) contact surfaces are improperly designed, constructed, installed, located (cracks, open seams, pitted surfaces, tin cans reused, uncleanable or corroded food contact surfaces)

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 New York State Department of Health, Feb 5, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Oct 23, 2024

Non-critical violations only

2 recorded violations

minorCode 11DCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Non food contact surfaces of equipment not 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

minorCode 14BPests

Official wording

Effective measures not used to control entrance (rodent-, insect-proof contruction). Harborage areas available for rodents, insects and other vermin

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 insects

Official record from New York State Department of Health, Oct 23, 2024 · Original Source

Re-Inspection

Nov 9, 2023

No violations found

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from New York State Department of Health, Nov 9, 2023 · Original Source

Re-Inspection

Oct 5, 2023

Critical violations found

4 recorded violations

minorCode 12EHandwashing

Official wording

Handwashing facilities inaccessible, improperly located, dirty, in disrepair, improper fixtures, soap, and single service towels or hand drying devices missing

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

Insects, rodents present

In plain English

More about signs of rodents or insects

criticalCode 5AFood temperature

Official wording

Potentially hazardous foods are not kept at or below 45�F during cold holding, except smoked fish not kept at or below 38�F during cold holding.

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 11BCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions

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 New York State Department of Health, Oct 5, 2023 · Original Source