EL TAPATIO MEXICAN GRILL
4165 9 ST SW STE 107, Vero Beach FL 32968
Last inspected Aug 3, 2026 · 9 visits since August 2023
JUL 24
DEC 24
JUN 25
NOV 25
JUN 26
— STEADY
5 inspections within 24 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Beans found in pan with lid at 49f Cooked pork 46f
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
9 visits, newest first
Aug 3, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 1 finding
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked chicken in walk in cooler made 2 days ago.
Jun 1, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 4 recorded.
0 High priority3 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
No handwash sink for employees at front bar area. Operator has set up food preparation area at front bar next to beer coolers. Operator moved chip warmer from kitchen and added small flat top grill to heat up tortillas.
No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. 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/. Operator has moved chip warmer from kitchen to front bar area where beer coolers are. Operator has also added small flat top grill to heat up tortillas. No hand sink is in vicinity.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked chicken in walk in cooler made 2 days ago.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. To go containers on cooks line. Manager inverted
Nov 17, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Jalapeño poppers stored in box with raw beef. Manager moved
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef over shredded cheese in cook line cooler. Manager moved
sanitizing solution exceeding the maximum concentration allowed In bucket at servers area. Reading 200ppm++ Advised to add more water
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Cooked pork in walk in cooler made Saturday
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. On steam table
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee Drink on table next to stove
Food stored on floor. Cooked tortilla chips in plastic storage containers on floor in servers area
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Frozen shrimp sitting in prep sink still frozen. Advised manager to turn on water
Jun 20, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 5 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw burgers over cheese in cook line reach in cooler
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Broom being stored in front of hand sink next to ice bin, manager removed
Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. No proof of training for cooks. Manager is unsure where certificates are
Condensation or other drainage not disposed of according to law. Condensation in walk in cooler dripping into bucket on floor
Stored food not covered. Salsa in walk in cooler
Dec 13, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. Beans found in pan with lid at 49f Cooked pork 46f
Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. 1 cook, no proof of training
Required employee training expired for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Heriberto expired 1/9/23
Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Lining canned food in dry storage. Manager removed
No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit.
Plumbing system in disrepair. Hand wash sink next to servers area is dripping onto floor from pvc pipe
Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues.
Jul 22, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Employee purse in hand wash sink. Manager removed
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Floor area(s) covered with standing water. In walk in cooler and under dish washer
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Cook line make table cooler has standing water in bottom of it
Water draining onto floor surface. Condensation dripping onto floor in walk in cooler. Manager added a bucket
Jan 9, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionComplaint Investigation
Met inspection standards. 1 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Food stored on floor. Frying oil and vinegar dry storage
Jan 5, 2024Inspection 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 ▾
Food stored on floor. Tomatoes walk in cooler
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board.
Aug 29, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 12 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority1 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 12 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.
No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.
Accumulation of black mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Men's restroom door does not self latch.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee drinks and keys on table in server area, as well as drinks in kitchen wire rack.
Food stored on floor. Multiple food buckets in walk in cooler stored on floor.
Frozen time/temperature control for safety food being slacked at room temperature still frozen solid.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Fan in kitchen accumulating dust. 2. Hood system dripping grease.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. To go containers in server area not inverted.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. 2. Wiping cloth under cutting board.
Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Bucket found at 25ppm, advised operator to remake bucket. Retested and now at 100ppm.
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.