EL TOREO
3510 SW 36 AVE, Ocala FL 34474 · 2912121
Last inspected Apr 1, 2026 · 8 visits since November 2023
MAR 24
SEP 24
APR 25
NOV 25
APR 26
≈ ERRATIC
5 inspections, swinging between B and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Live, small flying insects found Five small flying insects flying in bar area, near beer cooler.
★ 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--2020054187 | Nov 20, 2020 | Dec 23, 2020 | $400 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Apr 1, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority3 Intermediate6 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 11 findingsThe state's own report →
Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Female server touched chips with bare hands, Inspector instructed to stop wash hands and use gloves.
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. At the cook line, pizzas cover with thank you bags, Manager removed the bags.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwash sink at the ice machine and dish machine blocked by items stored inside and on top of sinks, Manager removed all.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Handwash sink at the cook line, used to filled container with water.
Show the remaining 7 findings ▾
Toxic substance/chemical on premise that is not required for the operation of establishment. Fertilizer stored above prep table next to ice machine with cutting board underneath, Manager removed the fertilizer.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Ice bin in front of bar area with mold like substance.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Multiple employee drinks on prep tables and above make table, Manager removed all.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Cleaned stacked containers and trays at the dish machine area.
Food stored on floor. At the bar area, buckets with margarita mix stored on floor, manager moved off the floor.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. At the bar area, ice scoop handle in direct contact with ice, manager removed.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Exterior part of juice dispenser and soda machine soiled with mold like substance
Nov 3, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedComplaint Investigation
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 14 violations recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority3 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours. In walk-in cooler, refried beans cooked 11/02/25 at: 45F, 52F, 51F and 50F.
Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours and from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within six hours. See stop sale. In walk-in cooler, refried beans cooked 11/02/25 at: 45F, 52F, 51F and 50F.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Establishment observed preparing, serving or selling food to customers with an expired license
Operator unable to provide documentation that aquacultured fish has been raised in a controlled environment and fed formulated feed. For tilapia, Manager called supplier and requested letter, Manager printed.
Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. At the cook line, rice at 120F, per manager rice placed in steam table approximately 30 minutes prior, Manager moved rice to oven to reheated to 165F.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled with food residue, employee cleaned during inspection. Also microwave at the server station
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Handwash sink at the end of the cook line blocked by garbage can, Employee moved.
Records/documents for required employee training do not contain all of the required information. Date of birth missing on 16 certificates.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table, employee moved.
Food stored on floor. At the bar area, buckets with margarita mix on floor.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. In walk-in freezer, around door and door frame.
Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. At the server area, lids not inverted, employee inverted.
Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Under triple sink (first compartment).
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. At the dry storage area, containers not labeled, manager labeled, sugar, salt and garlic powder.
Apr 14, 2025Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 12 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority1 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects found Five small flying insects flying in bar area, near beer cooler.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Pan containing raw chicken stored on shelf directly above pan containing cooked rice in walk-in cooler. Employee moved raw chicken to the bottom shelf during this inspection.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Chlorine bucket stored on top of box containing "Daily's" drink mixers on shelf near cookline. Manager removed chlorine from area during this inspection.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Spray bottle containing bleach in bar area missing proper label. Manager added proper label during this inspection.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Several absorbent and porous acoustic ceiling tiles in-use in back of kitchen.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink bottle on prep table at cookline beside and above clean dishes. Manager removed bottle from table during this inspection.
Equipment in poor repair. Several rusted shelves in storage and warewash areas.
Hole in or other damage to wall. Cracks in wall at far end of cookline.
In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs hanging from oven door handle at cookline. Manager removed tongs from handle during this inspection.
Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Insect control light on wall above prep/food storage table near cookline.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. 1. Area around nozzles of fountain machine in lobby soiled with mold-like substance. 2. Gaskets on cooler doors in bar area soiled with mold-like substance.
Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. 1. Air vent on ceiling in warewash area soiled with mold-like substance. 2. Wall above prep table in back of kitchen soiled with dust.
Nov 18, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Sep 16, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 13 violations recorded, 6 high priority.
6 High priority4 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. At the cook line, observed corn tortillas in direct contact with thank you bags, Employee removed from bag.
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. June 1, 2024.
Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. At the bar area, quaternary ammonium no color change, Employee add only one tablet in 4-5 gallons of water, per manufacture instructions 1 tablet per 1.5 gallons of water, Manager added more tablets.
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. At the cook line, observed raw fish stored above limes and avocados, Manager stored properly.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. At the server area, observed two egg flans date marked 9/02/2024.
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. At the triple sink, observed red hose inside middle compartment, no back flow installed at the faucet.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener blade soiled, manager moved to sink.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink at the bar area, pitcher inside sink, Manger moved.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. All certificates expired (23 employees).
Operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. In walk-in cooler and reach-in cooler, chiles rellenos, no date marked, Manager date marked.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. At the prep table, employee coffee on prep table, no lid, Manager moved.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Cleaned stacked containers at the dish machine area.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. In walk-in freezer, around door.
Mar 11, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 9 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 9 findings ▾
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed missing vacuum breaker on hose Bibb with attached hose above three-compartment sink.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed food-contact surface of commercial can opener soiled with food debris, mold-like substance.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed at hand wash sink in dishwash area a box of gloves, an apron stored in hand wash sink
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee jacket stored on rack of dry goods storage area. Manager removed jacket.
Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed missing tiles in walk-in-freezer
Ice bucket not stored inverted or in a protected manner between uses. Observed ice bucket used to transport ice not stored inverted or in a protected manner by ice machine.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice build up arou d door of walk-in-freezer
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed ice scoop handle touching ice at bar
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood in kitchen soil with grease Observed mold like substance on the underside of the non food contact surface of the nozzles on the soda dispensing machine at server station.
Nov 29, 2023□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Nov 8, 2023Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 16 recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority3 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 16 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee handled garbage can and proceeded to handle containers of food without changing gloves and washing hands. Manager had employee change gloves and wash hands.
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 handled dirty dishes in dis( area and proceeded to handle clean dishes on cook line without washing hands and changing gloves. Manager had employee wash hands and change gloves.
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Item in reach-in cooler across from reach-in cooler across from prep table at end of cook line: chicken (44F - Cold Holding). Manager stated item placed in cooler one hour prior to temperature being taken. Manager placed item in walk-in freezer to reduce temperature, 40F.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Hot water nozzle on wait station coffee machine.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Scrub pads stored in hand washing sink in front of ice machine. Employee removed scrub pads from hand washing sink.
No certified food manager for establishment. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/. All manager certifications expired on 9/14/2023.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling vent in dish area.
Cloth used as a food-contact surface. Tortillas in cooler on cook line wrapped in wiping cloth. Manager placed tortillas in plastic bag.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table at end of cook line. Manager had employee place drink underneath prep table,
Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Employee eating on cook line. Manager had employee finish eating in dining area.
Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee container of almond milk in bar area reach-in cooler.
Food stored on floor. Chicken base stored on floor in dry storage area. Managed placed container of chicken base on shelf.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Around door of walk-in freezer.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Ice scoop handle touching ice in ice bin beneath wait station soda machine. Manager placed ice scoop in ice with handle sticking up.
Open dumpster lid. Dumpster behind building.
Shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Shelf in dish area.
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.