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Restaurant · Wake County, NC

Taqueria La Esquina

10500 Chapel Hill Rd

Last inspected Aug 7, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Score 96

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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

5 inspections

1 - Inspection

Aug 7, 2026

Score 96

Official score: 96 · Understand this area’s scale

6 recorded violations

notedCode 6-301.12Handwashing

Official wording

Handwashing sinks supplied & accessible

Inspector’s notes

6-301.12; Priority Foundation; Observed paper towel holder jammed. Each handwashing sink or group of adjacent handwashing sinks shall be provided with: (A) Individual; disposable towels; Pf (B) A continuous towel system that supplies the user with a clean towel; Pf or (C) A heated-air hand drying device; Pf or (D) A hand drying device that employs an air-knife system that delivers high velocity; pressurized air at ambient temperatures. Towels placed on top of holder.

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 3-501.14Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cooling time & temperatures

Inspector’s notes

3-501.14; Priority; Observed deep pots of tamales and beef cooked/ cooled yesterday did not meet theshold of 41F within 6 hours. Cooked Time/temperature for food safety food shall be cooled: (1) Within 2 hours from 135F to 70F and (2) Within a total of 6 hours from 70F to 41F. EHS provided training. Item voluntarily 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) and (B)Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

3-501.16 (A)(2) and (B); Priority; Observed raw pork and beef; salsa; and cooked pork holding above 41F inside walk in. TCS food shall be held at 41F or below. Items discarded. Manager turned down 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
notedCode 3-501.15Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

Inspector’s notes

3-501.15; Priority Foundation; Observed hot dogs cooling inside tightly wrapped plastic. Tamales and beef cooked pork cooked yesterday; cooling in deep pots wrapped with saran wrap or tightly covered lids. Cooling shall be accomplished by: 1) Placing the food in shallow pans (2) Separating the food into smaller or thinner portions (3) Using rapid cooling equipment 1) Arranged in the equipment to provide maximum heat transfer through the container walls; or loosely covered; or uncovered if protected from overhead contamination. Item 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 3-501.13Food temperature

Official wording

Approved thawing methods used

Inspector’s notes

3-501.13 ; Priority Foundation; Observed raw beef loin inside prep sink thawing at room temperature Potentially hazardous food (Time/temperature for food safety food ) shall be thawed: (A) Under refrigeration that maintains the food temperature at 41F or below B) Completely submerged under running water: (1) At a water temperature of 70F or below. Items placed under running water.

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 6-501.111Pests

Official wording

Insects & rodents not present; no unauthorized animals

Inspector’s notes

6-501.111; Core; Observed a few flies active. The premises shall be maintained free of insects; rodents; and other pests. The presence of insects; rodents; and other pests shall be controlled to eliminate their presence on the premises by: (A) Routinely inspecting incoming shipments of food and supplies; (B) Routinely inspecting the premises for evidence of pests; (C) Using methods; if pests are found; such as trapping devices and (D) Eliminating harborage conditions. If issue persists; Call pest control.

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 Wake County Environmental Services, Aug 7, 2026 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Jan 5, 2026

Score 96.5

Official score: 96.5 · Understand this area’s scale

5 recorded violations

notedCode 3-304.15 (A)Other

Official wording

Food separated & protected

Inspector’s notes

3-304.15 (A); Priority; Observed team member crack raw shell eggs with gloved hands then changed tasks to stuff cooked pork inside toasted RTE tortillas with soiled gloves. If used; single use gloves shall be used for only one task such as working with raw ready-to-eat food or with raw animal food; used for no other purpose; and discarded when damaged or soiled; or when interruptions occur in the operation. Manager provided training. Team member removed gloves and re-washed hands.

In plain English

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

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

Official wording

Proper hot holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

3-501.16(A)(1) ; Priority; Observed rice; tomales; onions; and tomales holding below 135F. TCS foods shall be held at 135F or greater. Items reheated above 165F.

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 3-501.18Food source and labeling

Official wording

Proper date marking & disposition

Inspector’s notes

3-501.18; Priority; Observed potato salad and beans with preparation date 12/29/25. Cooked pork 12/26/25 and pasta 12/24/25. Food shall be discarded if it: (1) Exceeds the temperature and time combination; except time that the product is frozen; P (2) Is in a container or package that does not bear a date or day; P or (3) Is appropriately marked with a date or day that exceeds a temperature and time combination as specified. Item discarded.

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 7-102.11Chemicals

Official wording

Toxic substances properly identified stored & used

Inspector’s notes

7-102.11; Priority Foundation; Observed unlabeled bleach spray. 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- items labeled.

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
notedCode Thawing) 3-501.13Food temperature

Official wording

Approved thawing methods used

Inspector’s notes

Thawing) 3-501.13 ; Priority Foundation; Observed raw beef tripe sitting in standing water inside prep sink. Observed raw beef lion stored inside bus tubs of standing water . Potentially hazardous food (Time/temperature for food safety food ) shall be thawed: (A) Under refrigeration that maintains the food temperature at 41F or below B) Completely submerged under running water: (1) At a water temperature of 70F or below. Items placed under running water.

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 Wake County Environmental Services, Jan 5, 2026 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Jun 16, 2025

Score 96

Official score: 96 · Understand this area’s scale

7 recorded violations

notedCode 2-301.15Handwashing

Official wording

Hands clean & properly washed

Inspector’s notes

2-301.15; Priority Foundation;At the beginning of inspection. Observed team member wash gloved hands inside 3 comp sink. Food employees shall clean their hands in handwashing sink or approved automatic handwashing facility and may not clean their hands in a sink used for food preparation or warewashing; or in a service sink or a curbed cleaning facility used for the disposal of mop water and similar liquid waste.

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 3-302.11Other

Official wording

Food separated & protected

Inspector’s notes

3-302.11; Priority; Observed raw barbacoa stored directly above raw fish inside walk in. Food shall be protected from cross contamination: Separate raw animal foods during storage; preparation; holding; and display from: raw ready-to-eat food including other raw animal food such as fish for sushi or; or other raw ready-to-eat food such as fruits and vegetables. Manager rearranged storage hierarchy. 3-304.15 (A); Priority; Observed single use gloves washed. If used; single use gloves shall be used for only one task such as working with raw ready-to-eat food or with raw animal food; used for no other purpose; and discarded when damaged or soiled; or when interruptions occur in the operation. EHS provided training. Team member removed gloves and re-washed hands.

In plain English

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

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

Official wording

Proper hot holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

3-501.16(A)(1) ; Priority; Observed one pan of wings holding above 41F. TCS foods shall be held at 135F or greater. Item reheated.

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) and (B)Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

3-501.16 (A)(2) and (B); Priority; Observed ambient air inside tall reach in 46F. Observed cooked pork; chicken; cheese; and beef holding above 41F. Observed beef in standing water inside food prep sink; held too long in prep sink wile thawing. TCS food shall be held at 41F or below. Items discarded. All TCS items removed. Manager called maintenance for 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
notedCode 3-501.15Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

Inspector’s notes

3-501.15; Priority Foundation; Observed cut tomatoes; pico; tamales; marinated raw barbacoa; cooked pork cooling at room temprature; in tighlty covered containers and/ or deep containers. Cooling shall be accomplished by: 1) Placing the food in shallow pans (2) Separating the food into smaller or thinner portions (3) Using rapid cooling equipment 1) Arranged in the equipment to provide maximum heat transfer through the container walls; or loosely covered; or uncovered if protected from overhead contamination. Covers removed. Item placed in walk in for rapid cooling. Item placed on sheet pans.

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 Thawing) 3-501.13Food temperature

Official wording

Approved thawing methods used

Inspector’s notes

Thawing) 3-501.13 ; Priority Foundation; Observed raw beef sitting in standing water to thaw. The item found out of temperature during inspection. Potentially hazardous food (Time/temperature for food safety food ) shall be thawed: (A) Under refrigeration that maintains the food temperature at 41F or below B) Completely submerged under running water: (1) At a water temperature of 70F or below. Thaw in the refrigerator to ensure items do not raise above 41F.

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 4-601.11(B) and (C)Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Non-food contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11(B) and (C); Core; Observed a buildup of dust on cutting boards and clean food equipment due to a soiled fan blowing dust on the clean equipment stored at the 3 comp sink. Nonfood contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust; dirt; food residue; and other debris. Clean equipment. Food equipment re-washed.

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 16, 2025 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Jul 9, 2024

Score 99

Official score: 99 · Understand this area’s scale

2 recorded violations

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; Rusty wire shelves in walk in cooler. Equipment shall be kept in good repair.

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 6-305.11Facility maintenance

Official wording

Meets ventilation & lighting requirements; designated areas used

Inspector’s notes

6-305.11; Core; Multiple personal items (purses/phones etc) stored on shelves with kitchen stock. Lockers or other suitable facilities shall be used for the orderly storage of employee clothing and other possessions.

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 issues

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Jul 9, 2024 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Jan 8, 2024

Score 98

Official score: 98 · Understand this area’s scale

3 recorded violations

minorCode 2-401.11Employee health and hygiene

Official wording

Proper eating; tasting; drinking or tobacco use

Inspector’s notes

2-401.11; Core; Found couple of employees' open water bottles commingled with establishment's food inside the refrigerators. Employee shall eat; drink; and store food only in designated areas where the contamination of exposed food; clean equipment; utensils; and linens; unwrapped single-service and single-use articles; or other items needing protection can not result. CDI - PIC moved the items to designated area in the refrigerator.

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 issues
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; Found a container of tilapia in the reach-in cooler (date marked 01/06/24) that was holding above 41F; see chart above. TCS food (time/temperature control for safety food) shall be maintained in cold holding at 41F or less. CDI - PIC voluntarily discarded the food.

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 6-501.12Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Physical facilities installed; maintained & clean

Inspector’s notes

6-501.12; Core; Floor inside the walk-in freezer has food splashes accumulation. Physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean. Clean the floor.

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, Jan 8, 2024 · Original Source

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