EL POTRO MEXICAN REST
226 SAN MARCO AVE, Saint Augustine FL 32084 · (604)819-0390
Last inspected Apr 20, 2026 · 10 visits since November 2023
MAY 24
SEP 24
MAY 25
OCT 25
APR 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections trending up, 26 points better than where it started.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Observed half pan of beef dish in walk-in cooler with 4/25 date mark. See stop sale.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
10 visits, newest first
Apr 20, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 3 findings
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Drawers; steak, chicken, shrimp 47F; ( - Cold Holding). Person in charge items in cooler since 11am. Put all items in reach in freezer. Second temperature was 41F or below.
In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Under microwave. Person in charge removed.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Person in charge removed tongs.
Oct 1, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor tiles missing and cracked in kitchen.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed gaskets on flip-top cooler soiled with food debris Observed walk-in cooler shelves soiled with food debris
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed standing water in bottom reach in cooler pull out drawer on cook line
May 12, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting boards stained with food debris.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor tiles in kitchens cracked or missing
Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Observed interior of microwave oven soiled with food debris.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed food debris on gaskets of reach in cooler.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed walk-in cooler shelves rusted.
Sep 13, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Sep 11, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 3 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed bottom drawer on cook line drawer: raw chicken (54F - Cold Holding); shrimp (50F - Cold Holding); steak (54F - Cold Holding). Items placed in drawer approximately 2hr and 40 mins prior to temperature taken per person in charge. Person in charge placed food items in reach in cooler to cool.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed AirPod case on top of tortillas by flip-top cooler. Person in charge removed personal items from food prep area.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs on oven handles.
May 8, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
May 6, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 8 violations recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Observed half pan of beef dish in walk-in cooler with 4/25 date mark. See stop sale.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed shrimp (45F - Cold Holding); chicken dish (46F - Cold Holding); raw chicken (45F - Cold Holding); milk (45F - Cold Holding); queso (45F - Cold Holding); Walk-in cooler was at ambient 41F at 2pm per person in charge. Person in charge thinks door was left open. Advised person in charge to place food in at other cooler or place ice on all out of temperature products.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand washing station at front counter not operational. Person in charge stated they have a maintenance man scheduled for repairs.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed black/green mold like substance in the interior top section of the ice machine where water contacts.
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Observed female bathroom door not self closing.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed food debris and single service trash behind equipment in wait station area and throughout kitchen behind equipment.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters soiled with grease. Observed shelf and equipment behind soft serve machine soiled with food debris.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning Observed clean dish pans stacked above cook line with old date marks stuck to sides.
Nov 20, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Nov 17, 2023Call Back - Extension given, pendingRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems were not fixed yet and the kitchen was given more time.
2 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed main flip-top cooler: pico, house made salsa, house made guacamole, sour cream,cut lettuce, shredded mozzarella, cut tomatoes, shrimp, sausage, cooked mushrooms, 6 raw shell eggs, tamales, chili rellenos (46F-60F - Cold Holding) Observed cook line drawer: shrimp, beef, chicken, 3 beef steak, flank steak (45F-52F - Cold Holding) All items either in cooler over night or placed in at 1100 when restaurant opened per person in charge.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed main flip-top cooler: pico, house made salsa, house made guacamole, sour cream,cut lettuce, shredded mozzarella, cut tomatoes, shrimp, sausage, cooked mushrooms, 6 raw shell eggs, tamales, chili rellenos (46F-60F - Cold Holding) Observed cook line drawer: shrimp, beef, chicken, 3 beef steak, flank steak (45F-52F - Cold Holding) All items either in cooler over night or placed in at 1100 when restaurant opened per person in charge. See stop sale.
Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Observed main flip-top cooler with build up of ice unable to maintain items at 41F or below.
Nov 15, 2023Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 11 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority2 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Observed unlabeled #10 canned food with dents and rust on seam.
Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Observed main flip-top cooler: pico, house made salsa, house made guacamole, sour cream,cut lettuce, shredded mozzarella, cut tomatoes, shrimp, sausage, cooked mushrooms, 6 raw shell eggs, tamales, chili rellenos (46F-60F - Cold Holding) Observed cook line drawer: shrimp, beef, chicken, 3 beef steak, flank steak (45F-52F - Cold Holding) All items either in cooler over night or placed in at 1100 when restaurant opened per person in charge.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed main flip-top cooler: pico, house made salsa, house made guacamole, sour cream,cut lettuce, shredded mozzarella, cut tomatoes, shrimp, sausage, cooked mushrooms, 6 raw shell eggs, tamales, chili rellenos (46F-60F - Cold Holding) Observed cook line drawer: shrimp, beef, chicken, 3 beef steak, flank steak (45F-52F - Cold Holding) All items either in cooler over night or placed in at 1100 when restaurant opened per person in charge. See stop sale.
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Observed opened milk from previous morning per person in charge in walk-in cooler missing date. Person in charge added date to milk.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed cutting board on flip-top cooler stained from food.
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Observed bathroom doors inside establishment not fitted with tight fitting, self closing doors.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed spray foam used to repair ceiling tiles in kitchen. Ceiling tiles no longer smooth and easily cleanable.
Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Observed main flip-top cooler with build up of ice unable to maintain items at 41F or below.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed ice scoop handle in ice of soda fountain. Employee took handle out of ice.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed multiple gaskets on drawers, flip-top cooler, and walk-in cooler soiled with black/green mold like substance and food debris.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed wet wiping cloth on prep counter.
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.