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Mobile Food · Wake County, NC

Tacos El Cardenal (Wcid #1067)

2549 S Saunders St.

Last inspected Aug 11, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Score 93.5

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More issues recentlyThe latest inspection recorded more violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

3 inspections

1 - Inspection

Aug 11, 2026

Score 93.5

Official score: 93.5 · Understand this area’s scale

5 recorded violations

notedCode —Handwashing

Official wording

Handwashing sinks supplied & accessible

Inspector’s notes

5-205.11 Using a Handwashing Sink - Operation and Maintenance (Pf)- Various items being stored inside handwashing sink. Keep access to handwashing sink at all times. CDI- items removed.

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
notedCode 3-501.16(A)(1) Maintain TCS foods in hot holding at 135F or above. -PFood temperature

Official wording

Proper hot holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

3-501.16(A)(1) Maintain TCS foods in hot holding at 135F or above. -P; TCS foods on hot hold unit reading between 126-130 F. CDI: Items discarded

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
notedCode 3-501.16(A)(2)Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

3-501.16(A)(2); Priority; Observed overfilled containers of salsa rojo and salsa verde reading above 41 degrees F in the work top cooler. TCS foods being stored for cold holding shall maintain a temperature of 41 degrees F or less.- CDI; items placed inside prep cooler to cool down.

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
notedCode 3-501.17Food source and labeling

Official wording

Proper date marking & disposition

Inspector’s notes

3-501.17; Priority Foundation; Noted date marking labels missing for bags of rice and cooked chicken inside the prep cooler. Date mark/label all TCS foods that are ready-to-eat once opened or prepared and held more than 24hrs. CDI; items were marked with the date they were prepared. Repeat.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
notedCode —Other

Official wording

Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure

Inspector’s notes

5-103.12 No running water on food truck. Provide water under pressure to all fixtures. Immediate suspension placed on permit. REPEAT

In plain English

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

More about other finding

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Aug 11, 2026 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Jan 30, 2026

Score 95.5

Official score: 95.5 · Understand this area’s scale

4 recorded violations

notedCode 2-102.12Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Certified Food Protection Manager

Inspector’s notes

2-102.12; Core; No one at time of inspection was a certified food protection manager.- Person in charge shall be present all times and be a certified food protection manager. PIC arrived prior to REHS departure. Repeat.

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
notedCode 3-501.16(A)(1) Maintain TCS foods in hot holding at 135F or above. -PFood temperature

Official wording

Proper hot holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

3-501.16(A)(1) Maintain TCS foods in hot holding at 135F or above. -P; TCS foods on hot hold unit 130F. CDI: Items reheated to 170F.

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
notedCode 3-501.17Food source and labeling

Official wording

Proper date marking & disposition

Inspector’s notes

3-501.17; Priority Foundation; Nothing in the truck had a date mark. Date mark/label all TCS foods that are ready-to-eat once opened or prepared and held more than 24hrs. CDI; items were marked with the date they were prepared. Repeat.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems
notedCode 5-103.12 Provide water under pressure to all fixtures.-PfOther

Official wording

Hot & cold water available; adequate pressure

Inspector’s notes

5-103.12 Provide water under pressure to all fixtures.-Pf; No running water on food truck. Owner agreed to heat water for handwashing and utensils washing. An Intent to suspend permit was issued.

In plain English

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

More about other finding

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Jan 30, 2026 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Mar 26, 2025

Score 97

Official score: 97 · Understand this area’s scale

3 recorded violations

notedCode 2-102.12Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Certified Food Protection Manager

Inspector’s notes

2-102.12; Core; No one at time of inspection was a certified food protection manager.- Person in charge shall be present all times and be a certified food protection manager.- Information was given to obtain certificate. This is a newly permitted truck and they have 210 days from permit date to obtain a 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
notedCode 3-501.16(A)(2)Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

3-501.16(A)(2); Priority; Observed multiple items (see chart above) that were above 41 degrees F.- TCS foods being stored for cold holding shall maintain a temperature of 41 degrees F or less.- CDI; items were moved to cooler unit to get temperatures down.

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
notedCode 3-501.17Food source and labeling

Official wording

Proper date marking & disposition

Inspector’s notes

3-501.17; Priority Foundation; Nothing in the truck had a date mark.- Date mark/label all TCS foods that are ready-to-eat once opened or prepared and held more than 24hrs.- CDI; items were marked with the date they were prepared.

In plain English

Food came from an unapproved source, was missing required date marks or labels, or was past its use-by date. Knowing where food came from and how old it is helps prevent illness.

More about food source, dating, or labeling problems

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Mar 26, 2025 · Original Source

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