GARCIA'S TACO EXPRESS INC
1448 US HWY 17 N, Wauchula FL 33873 · 8637678889
Last inspected Jul 29, 2026 · 8 visits since July 2023
AUG 24
NOV 24
SEP 25
DEC 25
JUL 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections trending up, 54 points better than where it started.
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed approximately 10 live roaches under the stand up reach in cooler across from the cook line.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
2 cases · $600
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7--2024050487 | Aug 28, 2024 | Oct 8, 2024 | $400 |
| 7--2024050497 | Aug 28, 2024 | Oct 8, 2024 | $200 |
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Jul 29, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 10 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority3 Intermediate6 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 10 findingsThe state's own report →
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observe employee change gloves with no hand wash changing tasks, operator informed employee importance of washing hands in between changing gloves, employee washed hands.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed a serving spoon in the hand washing sink in the kitchen, employee moved.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed no towels at the hand washing sink in back of kitchen, employee replaced.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed in the reach in cooler in the kitchen a pot of salsa, pot of chicken with salsa and a pan of pinto beans that were made two days ago not date marked.
Show the remaining 6 findings ▾
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling tiles soiled with debris.
Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed stack of pans with water in between and not air drying properly on shelf in kitchen.
Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Observed ice buildup up in reach in freezer in the kitchen.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hoods with soiled grease.
Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed shelves in two reach in cooler in kitchen shelves are rusted and pitied.
Dec 19, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 12 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 12 findings ▾
Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed yellow rice in a carry out bag in the microwave, operator transferred to food storage bag.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over raw steak in the reach in cooler in the kitchen, operator moved the chicken.
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed lettuce in the hand wash sink by the shelve in the kitchen.
Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed in reach in cooler a pan of salsa and a pan of cactus with pork ribs made two days ago and not date marked, operator date marked.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling tiles throughout the kitchen soiled with dust.
Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed stack of small pans on the shelves with water in between and not air drying properly.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed gasket torn on reach in cooler in the kitchen and the ice machine is not working in wait staff area.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand washing sign at the hand wash sink in wait staff area next to the ice machine, operator placed a hand wash sign there.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hoods soiled with grease.
Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels on a pan of salsa and a pan of sliced onions in the reach in cooler.
Plumbing system in disrepair. Observed handle is broken and not connected on the mop sink in back of kitchen.
Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed shelves in reach in cooler in the kitchen is rusted and pitted.
Sep 2, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 11 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate10 Basic
Show 11 findings ▾
Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shrimp above red and green salsa in the reach in cooler in the kitchen, operator moved.
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling tile damaged in the kitchen and a ceiling tile damaged in dining area back towards the restrooms.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed a couple of cutting boards grooved in the kitchen.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed an employees cup by the grill and an employees cup on the shelf with clean dishes.
Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employee with a bracelet on while preparing food prep.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gaskets in two reach in coolers in the kitchen.
Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Observed gap under door on right side by back exit.
No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed no hand washing sign in the women's bathroom, sent the operator a copy by email.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hoods are soiled with grease.
Plumbing system in disrepair. Observed the faucet in the employees bathroom is loose.
Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed shelves in reach in cooler in the kitchen are rust pitted.
Nov 6, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Slicer blade soiled.
Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle with chemical not labeled on shelves above mop sink. Owner removed and put label on it.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine.
Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed five ceiling tiles in the storage area and five in the kitchen area that are damaged.
Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling above the cook line soiled.
Equipment in poor repair. Gasket is torn on the reach in cooler door, towards the back of kitchen.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters on the exhaust fan, are soiled, on the cook line.
Aug 29, 2024□ Emergency Order Callback CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority1 Intermediate3 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Handwash sink does not have enough water pressure to properly wash hands. Hand washing sink across from the cook line has very low pressure.
Ceiling tile missing. 5 ceiling tiles missing in the back storage area.
Hole in or other damage to wall. 2x3 foot hole in the wall in the dry storage area.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled.
Aug 28, 2024■ Emergency order recommendedRoutine Inspection
Ordered shut on the spot. 13 violations recorded, 5 of them the tier the state says can make you ill. A reinspection is required before this kitchen may reopen.
5 High priority2 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 13 findings ▾
Food/ice received from unapproved source/no invoice provided to verify source. See Stop Sale. 6 flats of eggs stored at room temperature in the front counter area. The operator stated the eggs came from the owners farm and were for sale to the customers, no invoice was available. Operator discarded the eggs.
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw chicken stored over raw beef in the reach in cooler across from the cook line. Operator removed the chicken.
Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed approximately 10 live roaches under the stand up reach in cooler across from the cook line.
Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 10 rodent droppings next to the three compartment sink in the kitchen. Observed approximately 15 rodent droppings under the dry storage shelves in the dry storage area.
Stop Sale issued due to food originating from an unapproved source. 6 flats of eggs stored at room temperature in the front counter area. The operator stated the eggs came from the owners farm and were for sale to the customers, no invoice was available. Operator discarded the eggs.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener soiled.
Handwash sink does not have enough water pressure to properly wash hands. Hand washing sink across from the cook line has very low pressure.
Ceiling tile missing. 5 ceiling tiles missing in the back storage area.
Dead roaches on premises. observed approximately 30 dead roaches under the stand up reach in cooler across from the cook line.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drinks stored next to and on the slicer. Employee removed the drinks.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Floors soiled under all reach in coolers in the kitchen and the dry storage racks in the dry storage area.
Hole in or other damage to wall. 2x3 foot hole in the wall in the dry storage area.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters soiled.
Nov 8, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority2 Intermediate4 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener with old food debris on blade. Manager moved to dishwash.
Soap dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense soap at front counter handsink. Manager provided new soap dispenser.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed twist off top water bottle stored on shelf with tortillas at kitchen. Manager removed.
Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed electronic tablet stored with clean dishes beside prep table at kitchen. Manager removed.
Food stored in a location that is exposed to splash/dust. Observed open cooler on floor, full of paper wrapped tortillas stored beside handsink at kitchen. Manager moved to a safe location.
Jul 25, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 7 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate6 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris,. Observed old food debris on slicer after cleaning.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed bowl used to scoop dry rice at dry storage bulk container.
Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves. Observed old torn and grease laden cardboard under microwave at kitchen.
Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
Grease receptacle lid open, broken, or missing.
Hood ventilation system inadequate as evidenced by grease accumulation on walls/ceiling. Observed grease buildup and dripping off hood filters over stove in kitchen. Dust and grease on vents at front of hood.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed exterior of microwave soiled with food splatter.
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.