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Mobile Food · Wake County, NC

Taqueria La Costena (Wcid #537)

3905 Green Level West Rd

Last inspected Feb 19, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Score 98

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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

4 inspections

1 - Inspection

Feb 19, 2026

Score 98

Official score: 98 · Understand this area’s scale

6 recorded violations

notedCode 2-102.12 (A) Certified Food Protection Manager (C)Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Certified Food Protection Manager

Inspector’s notes

2-102.12 (A) Certified Food Protection Manager (C); The food protection manager certification that PIC was able to present was recently expired. PIC states she has recently taken the class again and renewed but was unable to provide the documentation. PIC shall be able to present a valid food protection manager certification. Deductions will be taken if this item is repeated.

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 2-501.11Other

Official wording

Procedures for responding to vomiting & diarrheal events

Inspector’s notes

2-501.11; Priority Foundation; Facility does not have a written procedure for the cleanup of bodily fluid events...All facilities are required to have written procedures to follow when responding to a vomiting or diarrheal event in the establishment. CDI: Vomiting clean up plan was provided.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
notedCode 3-304.14 Wiping ClothsCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Wiping cloths: properly used & stored

Inspector’s notes

3-304.14 Wiping Cloths; Use Limitations (C); Wet wiping cloth was stored on a pre table for the duration of the inspection. Between uses; wet or moist wiping cloths shall be stored in an approved sanitizer at an appropriate concentration.

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 3-304.12 In-Use UtensilsEquipment and utensils

Official wording

In-use utensils: properly stored

Inspector’s notes

3-304.12 In-Use Utensils; Between-Use Storage (C); In-use knife was slid between hot holding equipment during the inspection. Between uses; in use utensils shall be stored in a clean area of the prep surface where they are not exposed to potential contamination.

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
notedCode 4-903.11 (A) and (C) EquipmentEquipment and utensils

Official wording

Single-use & single-service articles: properly stored & used

Inspector’s notes

4-903.11 (A) and (C) Equipment; Utensils; Linens and Single-Service and Single-Use Articles - Storing (C); Single service containers had splash residue on them. Single service items shall be protected from contamination from splash or food residue.

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
notedCode 6-501.11 Repairing - PremisesCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Physical facilities installed; maintained & clean

Inspector’s notes

6-501.11 Repairing - Premises; Structures; Attachments; and Fixtures - Methods (C); Areas of the floor are damaged with holes on the surface. Physical facilities shall be maintained in a state of good repair. Repair floor as needed.

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 Wake County Environmental Services, Feb 19, 2026 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Jul 30, 2025

Score 97

Official score: 97 · Understand this area’s scale

2 recorded violations

notedCode —Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

3-501.16(A)(2) Maintain TCS foods in cold holding at 41F or less. -P Raw beef in reach in cooler at 45F. These items are not part of TPHC. Recommend keeping raw item in a double pan with ice in the outer pan.

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 —Chemicals

Official wording

Toxic substances properly identified stored & used

Inspector’s notes

7-102.11 Common Name - One spray bottle bleach not labeled. Working Containers (Pf) Working containers used for storing poisonous or toxic materials such as cleaners and sanitizers taken from bulk supplies shall be clearly and individually identified with the common name of the material. Labeled at time of inspection. No points taken.

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 unsafely

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Jul 30, 2025 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Jun 3, 2024

Score 96.5

Official score: 96.5 · Understand this area’s scale

2 recorded violations

criticalCode 3-501.16 (A)(2) and (B)Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

3-501.16 (A)(2) and (B); Priority; Ham; lettuce; tomatoes; and salsa cups in the flip-top cooler measured up to 56F. The ambient temperature of the truck was 104F. PIC said these items are prepared every day. CDI: Products will be discarded after each day of operation (not to exceed 4 hour hold times) and prepared from cold ingredients every morning. Conversation had about replacing this cooler. TPHC form filled out...Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) foods held cold shall be held at 41F 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
minorCode 4-501.11Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Equipment; food & non-food contact surfaces approved; cleanable; properly designed; constructed & used

Inspector’s notes

4-501.11; Core; The gasket of the flip-top cooler is damaged and the cold rail has a difficult time maintaining temperatures during the lunch rush...Equipment and components shall be maintained intact and in good repair/condition. Repair this gasket. Ensure this cooler can maintain the top portions of food at 41F or below during operation.; 4-502.11(A) and (C); Core; The ambient air thermometer in the cooler doesn't seem to work...Ambient air temperature measuring devices shall be maintained in good repair and be accurate within the intended range of use. Replace this thermometer.

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 Wake County Environmental Services, Jun 3, 2024 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Oct 20, 2023

Score 97

Official score: 97 · Understand this area’s scale

5 recorded violations

majorCode 2-102.11 (C) (2)Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Management; food & conditional employee; knowledge; responsibilities & reporting

Inspector’s notes

2-102.11 (C) (2); (3) and (17); Priority Foundation; An employee health/exclusion policy could not be provided during the inspection...The Person in Charge shall demonstrate knowledge of foodborne disease prevention by explaining how they comply with the reporting responsibilities and exclusion of food employees. CDI: Poster/Education provided.

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 2-501.11Other

Official wording

Procedures for responding to vomiting & diarrheal events

Inspector’s notes

2-501.11; Priority Foundation; Facility does not have a written procedure for the cleanup of bodily fluid events...All facilities are required to have written procedures to follow when responding to a vomiting or diarrheal event in the establishment. CDI: County cleanup poster provided.

In plain English

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

More about other finding
criticalCode 3-501.16(A)(1)Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

3-501.16(A)(1) ; Priority; One small 6 pan of carnitas sitting on the grill measured 128F...Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) foods held hot shall be held at a minimum temperature of at least 135F. CDI: Product is reheated per order and discarded after lunch.

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
criticalCode 3-501.16 (A)(2) and (B)Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

3-501.16 (A)(2) and (B); Priority; Cheese; ham; and hot dogs in the lower portion of the cooler & overstocked salsa cups in the upper portion measured up to 53F...Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) foods held cold shall be held at 41F or below. CDI: These items moved to the lower portion of the cooler that measured 29F. Don't overstock items in the top portion of this cooler and cool items to 41F before placing them in this part of the unit.

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 4-501.11Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Equipment; food & non-food contact surfaces approved; cleanable; properly designed; constructed & used

Inspector’s notes

4-501.11; Core; The gasket of the flip-top cooler is damaged and the cold rail has a difficult time maintaining temperatures during the lunch rush...Equipment and components shall be maintained intact and in good repair/condition. Repair this gasket. Ensure this cooler can maintain the top portions of food at 41F or below during operation.

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 Wake County Environmental Services, Oct 20, 2023 · Original Source

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