Re-Inspection
Jun 11, 2026
No violations found
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from New York State Department of Health, Jun 11, 2026 · Original Source
Food Service Establishment · Orange County, NY
El Zapata Mexican Restaurant
16 1/2 East Main Street
Last inspected Jun 11, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗
No violations found
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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.
The full inspection history
10 inspectionsInspection
May 5, 2026
Critical violations found
1 recorded violation
criticalCode 5CFood temperature
Official wording
Potentially hazardous foods are not stored under refrigeration except during necessary preparation or approved precooling procedures (room temperature storage).
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 New York State Department of Health, May 5, 2026 · Original Source
Re-Inspection
Mar 10, 2026
No violations found
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from New York State Department of Health, Mar 10, 2026 · Original Source
Re-Inspection
Feb 3, 2026
Critical violations found
1 recorded violation
criticalCode 1HContamination
Official wording
Food from unapproved source, spoiled, adulterated on premises.
In plain English
Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.
More about food not protected from contaminationOfficial record from New York State Department of Health, Feb 3, 2026 · Original Source
Inspection
Jan 16, 2026
Critical violations found
8 recorded violations
minorCode 8FFood temperature
Official wording
Improper thawing procedures used
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 8AContamination
Official wording
Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
In plain English
Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.
More about food not protected from contaminationminorCode 9BEmployee health and hygiene
Official wording
Tobacco is used; eating, drinking in food preparation, dishwashing food storage areas
In plain English
This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.
More about employee hygiene or health policy issuesminorCode 15AFacility maintenance
Official wording
Floors, walls, ceilings, not smooth, properly constructed, in disrepair, dirty surfaces
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 issuescriticalCode 5CFood temperature
Official wording
Potentially hazardous foods are not stored under refrigeration except during necessary preparation or approved precooling procedures (room temperature storage).
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 1HContamination
Official wording
Food from unapproved source, spoiled, adulterated on premises.
In plain English
Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.
More about food not protected from contaminationminorCode 10BCleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
Non-food contact surfaces and equipment are improperly designed, constructed, installed, maintained (equipment not readily accessible for cleaning, surface not smooth finish)
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 8BEquipment and utensils
Official wording
In use food dispensing utensils improperly stored
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 issuesOfficial record from New York State Department of Health, Jan 16, 2026 · Original Source
Inspection
May 27, 2025
Non-critical violations only
2 recorded violations
minorCode 9BEmployee health and hygiene
Official wording
Tobacco is used; eating, drinking in food preparation, dishwashing food storage areas
In plain English
This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.
More about employee hygiene or health policy issuesminorCode 8CCleaning and sanitizing
Official wording
Improper use and storage of clean, sanitized equipment and utensils
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 New York State Department of Health, May 27, 2025 · Original Source
Inspection
Jan 30, 2025
No violations found
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from New York State Department of Health, Jan 30, 2025 · Original Source
Inspection
Apr 18, 2024
Non-critical violations only
1 recorded violation
minorCode 8AContamination
Official wording
Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
In plain English
Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.
More about food not protected from contaminationOfficial record from New York State Department of Health, Apr 18, 2024 · Original Source
Re-Inspection
Feb 1, 2024
No violations found
0 recorded violations
No violations recorded in this inspection.
Official record from New York State Department of Health, Feb 1, 2024 · Original Source
Inspection
Jan 12, 2024
Critical violations found
4 recorded violations
criticalCode 5CFood temperature
Official wording
Potentially hazardous foods are not stored under refrigeration except during necessary preparation or approved precooling procedures (room temperature storage).
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 5EContamination
Official wording
Enough refrigerated storage equipment is not present, properly designed, maintained or operated so that all potentially hazardous foods are cooled properly and stored below 45�F as required.
In plain English
Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.
More about food not protected from contaminationminorCode 8AContamination
Official wording
Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked)
In plain English
Food was stored or handled in a way that could let germs or other material get into it, such as raw meat stored above ready-to-eat food or uncovered food. Cross-contamination is a common cause of foodborne illness.
More about food not protected from contaminationcriticalCode 4AChemicals
Official wording
Toxic chemicals are improperly labeled, stored or used so that contamination of food can occur.
In plain English
Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.
More about chemicals stored or used unsafelyOfficial record from New York State Department of Health, Jan 12, 2024 · Original Source
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