Know Before You Go: Mexican Restaurant Fails Inspection

An Adairsville Mexican restaurant fell a few points short of passing its most recent food inspection.

El Pueblito Mexican Grille at 24 Eagle Parkway Suite E & F received a 67, or U, on its May 21 inspection conducted by the Bartow County Environmental Health Department.

The inspector made the following notes on its form used to calculate the establishment's score: 

• The person in charge did not demonstrate knowledge to properly maintain the kitchen satisfactory to the current regulations for operating a food service (new violation).
• Observed a personal drink located on the prep table; corrected on-site (new violation).
  
• Observed prep tables and counters that had waste/splashed on foods on and around them and needs to be properly cleaned and sanitized; corrected on-site (new violation).
  
• Observed several temperatures of potentially hazardous foods in the prep cooler and in the walk in cooler above their maximum cold holding temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit (new violation).
  
• Potentially hazardous foods cooling in the walk in cooler did not meet the parameters for proper cooling. Chicken was at 46 after 6 hours of cooling (new violation).
  
• Several pans of chicken and beans stored covered and stacked in the walk in cooler preventing proper cooling within the allowable time frame.*
  
• Observed a dirty cloth on the steam table pan that had waste/spilled foods on it; corrected on-site (new violation).
  
• Shelving and flooring in the kitchen and in the walk in cooler have spilled food debris on it and needs to be cleaned (new violation).
  
• Flooring in the dry storage area is torn and missing in some spots. The flooring must be replaced prior to the next routine inspection (new violation).
  
• Evidence of rats/mice in the dry storage building (new violation).