EL POTRO MEXICAN RESTAURANT
2470 W US HWY 90, Lake City FL 32055 · 386-758-3100
Last inspected Jan 28, 2026 · 7 visits since November 2023
MAR 24
AUG 24
DEC 24
AUG 25
JAN 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 15 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired 6-1-2024.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $400
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5--2022002403 | Jan 13, 2022 | Jan 28, 2022 | $400 |
Inspection history
7 visits, newest first
Jan 28, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate9 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 11 findingsThe state's own report →
Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. 1/2 gallon of milk with no date marked and unknown date of opening.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards soiled with mold-like substances.
Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. In walk-in cooler: three packs of tilapia fish (40F - Cold Holding).
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Prep cooler cutting boards grooved.
Show the remaining 7 findings ▾
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on reach-in prep cooler. Employee discarded.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone charger in pan hanging over reach-in prep cooler. Employee removed.
Equipment in poor repair. Ice buildup in reach-in freezer.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor tiles missing on cook line next to fryers and in walk-in cooler.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach-in cooler and reach-in freezer gaskets soiled with food debris.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach-in freezer/refrigerator bottom shelf soiled with old food debris.
Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walls rusted in refrigerator cooler next to kitchen entrance.
Aug 5, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 15 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate11 Basic
Show 15 findings ▾
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. In walk-in cooler: pan of salsa burrito dated 7-27-25. In reach-in cooler: carnitas dated 7-26-25. Stop sale issued. Operator discarded both.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting boards soiled with mold-like substance.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Spatula in hand wash sink next to grill. Operator removed.
No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at handwash sink next to grill. Operator replaced.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Prep cooler cutting boards grooved.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table next to microwave. Employee discarded.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on shelf over back prep table and on shelf in front of microwave. Operator had employees remove phones.
Equipment in poor repair. Ice buildup in reach-in freezer.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor tiles missing on cook line next to fryers and in walk-in cooler.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Upper plates of soda machine backsplash soiled with mold-like substances. Reach-in cooler and reach-in freezer gaskets soiled with food debris.
Open dumpster lid. Left lid open.
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Reach-in freezer/refrigerator bottom shelf soiled with old food debris.
Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Reach-in cooler next to back door shelves rusted. Walls rusted in refrigerator cooler next to kitchen entrance.
Stored food not covered. Pan of rice in reach-in cooler not covered. Employee covered with wrap.
Utensils in poor condition. Melted handle on knife on shelf above steam table.
Dec 16, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 12 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled with food debris. Two knife blades on magnetic wall holder soiled with old food debris. Scoop handle in sugar soiled with old food debris. Cutting boards soiled with mold-like substance.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Shredded lettuce in hand wash sink next to oven.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Cutting board grooved with deep cut marks.
Equipment in poor repair. Ice buildup in reach-in freezer.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Standing water on floor of walk-in cooler. Missing tile allows it to pool and not drain.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor tiles missing on cook line next to fryers and in walk-in cooler.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Walk-in cooler fan blade guard soiled with dust accumulation. Upper plates of soda machine backsplash soiled with mold-like substances. Wall exhaust fan soiled with grease accumulation. Reach-in cooler and reach-in freezer gaskets soiled with food debris.
Perimeter walls and roofs do not effectively protect establishment against environmental cross contamination or the entrance of pests. No screen over fan vent above dish machine. Fan blows air directly outside.
Shelves attached to walls in storage area not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. In dry storage area.
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Standing water in reach-in cooler next to oven.
Utensils in poor condition. Broken knife handle, next to steam table.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of sugar not labeled.
Aug 14, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 9 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate7 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired 6-1-2024.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled with food debris. Ice bin soiled with mold-like substance. Cutting boards soiled with mold-like substance.
Equipment in poor repair. Ice buildup in reach-in freezer.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Standing water on floor of walk-in cooler. Missing tile allows it to pool and not drain.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor tiles missing on cook line next to fryers and in walk-in cooler.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Walk-in cooler fan blade guard soiled with dust accumulation. Reach-in cooler and reach-in freezer gaskets soiled with food debris.
Open dumpster lid. Left lid open.
Screening is not 16-mesh to the inch. No screen over fan vent above dish machine. Fan blows air directly outside.
Shelves attached to walls in walk-ins not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Shelves in dry storage area
Mar 5, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 18 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate17 Basic
Show 18 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled with paper and food debris. Ice bin soiled with mold-like substance. Cutting boards stained with mold-like substance.
Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that product is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package located in walk-in cooler.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink over prep table with uncovered meat on it. Employee discarded drink.
Equipment in poor repair. Ice buildup in reach-in freezers and walk-in freezer.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor tiles missing on cook line next to fryers.
Food stored on floor. Bucket of cut tomatoes on floor of walk-in cooler. Wrapped beef roast on floor of walk-in freezer. Operator moved both to shelves.
Ice bucket/shovel stored on floor between uses. Ice buckets stored in wait station.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Walk-in freezer back wall.
In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Wet wiping cloth under cutting board with beef on it.
Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Light fixtures throughout kitchen.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach-in cooler and reach-in freezer gaskets soiled with food debris. Knife holder soiled with dust and grease accumulation.
Open dumpster lid. Both lids open.
Screening is not 16-mesh to the inch. No screen over fan vent above dish machine. Fan blows air directly outside.
Shelves attached to walls in walk-ins not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Shelves in dry storage area.
Stored food not covered. Beans and chicken in reach-in cooler not covered. Employee covered with plastic wrap.
Utensils in poor condition. Knife handle melted.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walk-in cooler shelves.
Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer bucket in wait station, 200 ppm. Manager added water to bucket, 50 ppm.
Nov 27, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Nov 14, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 17 recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority2 Intermediate14 Basic
Show 17 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. Dish machine next to three compartment sink, 0 ppm.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Spatula stored in cook line hand wash sink Employee removed spatula from hand wash sink.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Hand wash sink next to three compartment sink.
Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Observed commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that product is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package located in walk-in cooler.
Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. Women's restroom in lobby.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Cups stored in wait station.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Floor tiles missing on cook line next to fryers.
Food stored on floor. Chicken. base stored on floor in dry storage area. Manager placed item on shelf.
Ice bucket not inverted between uses. Ice buckets stored in wait station.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Walk-in freezer back wall.
Lights in food preparation, food storage or warewashing area missing the proper shield, sleeve coatings or covers. Light fixtures on throughout the kitchen.
Raw fruits/vegetables not washed prior to preparation. Label on cut limes not removed in reach-in cooler next to cook line hand washing sink.
Screening is not 16-mesh to the inch. No screen over fan vent above dish machine. Fan blows air directly outside.
Shelves attached to walls not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Shelves in dry storage area.
Walk-in cooler/freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Walk-in shelves.
Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer bucket in wait station, 200 ppm. Manager added water to bucket, 100 ppm.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Flour stored on shelf above prep table across from three compartment sink. Employee placed label on container.
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.