Restaurant · Tompkins County, NY

El Chamo Bar & Grill

Name: El Chamo Bar & Grill
Address: 308 Stewart Avenue, Tompkins County, NY

308 Stewart Avenue

Last inspected Sep 3, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Critical violations found

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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

5 inspections

Inspection

Sep 3, 2026

Critical violations found

2 recorded violations

criticalCode 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 contamination

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

Official record from New York State Department of Health, Sep 3, 2026 · Original Source

Re-Inspection

Jun 26, 2026

No violations found

0 recorded violations

No violations recorded in this inspection.

Official record from New York State Department of Health, Jun 26, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Apr 20, 2026

Critical violations found

2 recorded violations

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

More about food not protected from contamination

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 temperature

Official record from New York State Department of Health, Apr 20, 2026 · Original Source

Inspection

Sep 30, 2025

Non-critical violations only

2 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.