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Restaurant · Wake County, NC

Wayback Burger / Mex Cafe

1550 Aviation Pkwy

Last inspected Jun 30, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Score 97

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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

Jun 30, 2026

Score 97

Official score: 97 · Understand this area’s scale

4 recorded violations

notedCode 4-601.11 (A)Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11 (A); Priority Foundation; Food debris on cutting board stored as clean under prep table. Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch.

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
notedCode 3-403.11Food temperature

Official wording

Proper reheating procedures for hot holding

Inspector’s notes

3-403.11; Priority Foundation; Observed commercially prepared macaroni sitting at room temp after it was partially heated to 82F inside microwave. Item reheated on the stove. According to the PIC; the item is partially reheated in the microwave then placed in the hot holding unit to reheat to 135F. However; the hot holding unit set on high was holding all TCS items inside below 135F. Items reheated inside of the microwave shall reach 165F in the microwave. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods reheated in a microwave for hot holding must: •Reach 165°F (74°C) in all parts. •Be rotated or stirred. •Be covered during reheating. •Be allowed to stand covered for 2 minutes after reheating. •Be reheated rapidly; with the food spending no more than 2 hours between 41°F and the required reheating temperature.

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)(1)Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

3-501.16(A)(1) ; Priority; Observed nacho cheese; chili; rice; jambalaya; gravy; and mashed potatoes; onions and mushrooms 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 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, Jun 30, 2026 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Jul 23, 2025

Score 98.5

Official score: 98.5 · Understand this area’s scale

2 recorded violations

notedCode 3-501.18Food source and labeling

Official wording

Proper date marking & disposition

Inspector’s notes

3-501.18; Priority; Observed carrot pepper mix and an open gallon of milk held without date marking. 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. Items 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 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 cooling inside cold top station container was not stored properly; stacked on top of 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 reach in cooler.

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, Jul 23, 2025 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Dec 11, 2024

Score 98.5

Official score: 98.5 · Understand this area’s scale

3 recorded violations

notedCode 3-501.16(A)(1)Food temperature

Official wording

Proper hot holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

3-501.16(A)(1) ; Priority; Observed mushrooms holding below 135F. TCS foods shall be held at 135F or greater. Items reheated to 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 3-501.17Food source and labeling

Official wording

Proper date marking & disposition

Inspector’s notes

3-501.17; Priority Foundation; Observed non date marking for open packages of chorizo; cooked carnitas; cooked wings inside line drawer. All items dated. Ready to eat ; Potentially hazardous food (Time/temperature for food safety food ) prepared and held in a food establishment for more than 24 hours shall be marked to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises; sold; or discarded; based on the temperature and time combinations specified below. The day of preparation shall be counted as Day 1.

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 4-903.11(A)Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Utensils; equipment & linens: properly stored; dried & handled

Inspector’s notes

4-903.11(A); (B) and (D); Core; Observed soiled oven mitts stored inside large pot inside cabinet. Cleaned and sanitized equipment; utensils; linens; and single service articles or single use articles shall be stored: (1) In a clean; dry location; (2) Where they are not exposed to splash; dust; or other contamination; and (3) At least 15 cm (6 inches) above the floor. Item removed.

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

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Dec 11, 2024 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Feb 1, 2024

Score 98

Official score: 98 · 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; A couple TCS foods in the Mex Cafe drawer cooler as well as a container of sliced tomatoes in the burger prep cooler were holding above 41F. TCS (time/temp control for safety) foods in cold holding shall be maintained at 41F or less. CDI - PIC voluntarily discarded TCS foods over 45F; other foods moved to walk-in cooler.

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 3-501.15Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control

Inspector’s notes

3-501.15; Core; A container of cooling raw chicken had a tightly fitting lid in the walk-in cooler. When placed in cooling/cold holding equipment; food containers in which food is being cooled shall be: loosely covered; or uncovered if protected from overhead contamination; during the cooling period to facilitate heat transfer from the surface of 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

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Feb 1, 2024 · Original Source

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