EL MEZCAL MEXICAN RESTAURANT LLC
3897 N HAVERHILL RD, West Palm Beach FL 33417 · 5612346566
Last inspected Apr 15, 2026 · 11 visits since August 2023
OCT 23
NOV 24
APR 25
JAN 26
APR 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between A and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. At Reach-in Cooler; Raw portioned chicken stored over raw beef Operator fixed
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
11 visits, newest first
Apr 15, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
4 High priority3 Intermediate0 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 7 findingsThe state's own report →
Employee switched from working with raw food to ready-to-eat food without washing hands. Employee handled raw beef while opening package and placing into pan to be cooked then handled ready to eat cooked items while preparing customer order without washing hands. Operator discussed with employee who then washed hands.
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. At reach in freezer; raw shrimp stored over opened bag of cooked shrimp. Operator moved raw below ready to eat.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. At walk-in cooler; raw shell eggs stored over ready to eat sauces. Operator moved raw shell eggs below ready to eat items.
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. No tag on/for original container of raw, in-shell oysters. See stop sale.
Show the remaining 3 findings ▾
Establishment not maintaining oyster tags for 90 days. Advised Operator of proper shell-stock tag maintenance.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at kitchen hand wash sink. Operator provided paper towels.
No tag on/for original container of raw, in-shell oysters. See stop sale.
Mar 5, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Jan 20, 2026Call Back - Extension given, pendingRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Menu offers oysters and fish ceviche served raw, not identified as being raw. Advised Operator to identify items as being raw.
Jan 7, 2026Call Back - Extension given, pendingRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
1 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm). Operator primed machine, retested at 0ppm. Advised Operator to set up triple sink to manually sanitize dishes until machine repaired and sanitizing properly.
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Menu offers oysters and fish ceviche served raw, not identified as being raw. Advised Operator to identify items as being raw.
Jan 6, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 11 recorded, 10 high priority.
10 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. At walk-in cooler; cooked rice (65F - Cooling). Operator stated cooling overnight inside walk-in cooler, did not reach 41F within 6 hours. See Stop Sale.
Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Dishwasher (Chlorine 0ppm). Operator primed machine, retested at 0ppm. Advised Operator to set up triple sink to manually sanitize dishes until machine repaired and sanitizing properly.
Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee went from washing/rinsing soiled dishes prior to loading dishwasher then walked to cook line and began preparing food for customers without washing hands. Operator discussed with employee who then washed hands.
Non-exempt fish offered raw in fish ceviche has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked (145F for 15 seconds) or discarded. Advised Operator to provide proof of parasite destruction for non-exempt fish prior to serving raw in fish ceviche.
Non-food grade "thank you" bags used in direct contact with food (cooked rice) in steam table. Operator removed rice from bag.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. At flip top reach in cooler; raw chicken stored over raw beef. Operator moved raw chicken below raw beef.
Shell eggs not stored at an ambient air temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less. At walk-in cooler; raw shell eggs (62F - Ambient Air Temperature Cold Holding). Operator stated not prepared or portioned, held inside walk-in cooler overnight. See Stop Sale.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. At walk-in cooler; cooked rice (65F - Cooling). Operator stated cooling overnight inside walk-in cooler, did not reach 41F within 6 hours. At walk-in cooler; raw shell eggs (62F - Ambient Air Temperature Cold Holding). Operator stated not prepared or portioned, held inside walk-in cooler overnight. At upright double door reach in cooler; cooked rice (45F - Cold Holding). Operator stated not prepared or portioned today, held in cooler overnight on bottom shelf, multiple shelves containing non temperature controlled for safety foods blocking airflow from fan unit in top of cooler. See Stop Sale.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. At upright double door reach in cooler; cooked rice (45F - Cold Holding). Operator stated not prepared or portioned today, held in cooler overnight on bottom shelf, multiple shelves containing non temperature controlled for safety foods blocking airflow from fan unit in top of cooler. See Stop Sale.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. At steam table; cooked rice (119F - Hot Holding). Operator stated rice reheated prior to being home Dinka tea, table
Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Menu offers oysters and fish ceviche served raw, not identified as being raw. Advised Operator to identify items as being raw.
Apr 25, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionLicensing Inspection
Nothing was found. The inspector recorded no violations at all.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Nov 6, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Nov 4, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 4 recorded, 4 high priority.
4 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. At Reach in Cooler; cooked pinto beans (49F - Cooling); cooked black beans (49F - Cooling); cooked rice (46F - Cooling) Per operator items held in cooler overnight Items did not reach 41F within 6 hours. See stop sale
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. At Reach-in Cooler; Raw portioned chicken stored over raw beef Operator fixed
Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. At Reach-in Freezer; Raw portioned chicken over raw beef Advised operator who fixed
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. At Reach in Cooler; cooked pinto beans (49F - Cooling); cooked black beans (49F - Cooling); cooked rice (46F - Cooling) Per operator items held in cooler overnight Items did not reach 41F within 6 hours. See stop sale
Oct 17, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Bleach spray bottle not labeled. Manager labeled.
Cardboard used to line nonfood-contact shelves. Cardboard lining dry food storage racks. Explained
Oct 17, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Aug 9, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 3 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged....cooked pulled beef with raw steak in reach in freezer. Operator moved.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit...sour cream 53°, cheese 55°, cooked peppers 55° in flip top reach in cooler across from fryer at kitchen, per operator food being held less than four hours. Operator moved food to another acceptable cooler.
No plan review submitted and approved - bar area added. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/....make a additional bar for coffee with ice been scooping ice next to main bar at front line.
This record follows the licence, not the owner. Restaurants change hands and the licence history normally does not, so an older entry may describe people who no longer run the place. Every inspection above links to the state's own report. Something wrong? Tell us.