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Mecklenburg County Health Dept
Public Health Inspections
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Premises Information

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NameEL TROPICO RESTAURANT
Address4335 N TRYON ST
 
City/State/ZIP
CHARLOTTE NC 28213
Premise Type1 - Restaurant
CountyMecklenburg
Inspection Date 12/10/2020
Final Score @ Grade
93 A
General Comments

Violations

 
CDI=Corrected During Inspection  R=Repeat Violation  VR=Verification Required 
Violation Item Demerits Violation Description CDIRVRComments
8 1 Handwashing sinks, supplied and accessible Yes No No 5-205.11 Maintain access to handsinks. Handsinks may only be used for handwashing.-Pf Observed food employee adding water to rice using the handsink. CDI - Food employee was instructed by EHS that the handsink should only be used for handwashing. NOTE: SR #115133 Issued to M. Oliver for mix beverage ABC permit with no bar handsink.
12 0 Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction Yes No No 3-203.12 Retain tag on the bag of shellstock until empty. Record date on the tag when the last shellstock from the container is used. Store tags in chronological order for 90 days. -Pf Observed shell stock tags were out of order. CDI - Discussed with PIC that tags should be kept in chronological order and organizational strategy to fix problem.
14 0 Food-contact surfaces: cleaned and sanitized Yes No No 4-601.11(A) Equipment food contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. -Pf Observed a few utensils with food debris on them that were stored clean. CDI - Utensils were moved to the dirty dish area to be cleaned again.
18 1.50 Proper cooling time and temperatures Yes No No 3-501.14(A) Quickly cool cooked foods within 2 hours from 135F to 70F; and within a total of 6 hours from 135F to 41F. -P Observed beans in WIC at 69 F that had been cooked at midnight and placed in the WIC to cool. CDI - Beans were voluntarily discarded.
21 3 Proper date marking and disposition Yes Yes No 3-501.17 Date mark/label all TCS foods that are ready-to-eat once opened or prepared and held more than 24hrs. -Pf Observed queso in WIC with no date mark. Also tamales and elotes in WIC had prepare dates on them but had been frozen and thawed in WIC and had no thaw dates. CDI - Queso was dated appropriately and the thaw dates were added to the tamales and elotes. 3-501.18 Discard the food requiring date labels once time/temperature window has expired, if it is not been labeled, or if the label is incorrect. -P Observed ham in stand up cooler dated for 10/09. CDI - PIC voluntaily discarded ham. REPEAT.
26 1 Toxic substances properly identified, stored, and used Yes No No 7-102.11 Label working containers of toxic materials such as cleaners and sanitizers.-Pf Observed bottle of bleach on top of dishmachine with no label. CDI - Bleach dumped out.
31 0.50 Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control Yes No No 3-501.15 Quickly cool foods. Use methods such as open/vented shallow pans, large ice baths and active stirring. Cold air must flow around product to remove the heat. -Pf Observed beans in WIC at 69 F in large pot. PIC stated that beans had been cooked and put in the WIC around midnight. CDI - PIC voluntarily discarded beans and EHS instructed PIC that beans should be cooled using shallow pans.
37 0 Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage and display No No No 3-305.11 Food Storage-Preventing Contamination from the Premises - C Observed chicken, potatoes, cabbage and other food stored without lids or coverings.
53 0 Physical facilities installed, maintained and clean No No No 6-501.11 Floors, walls, and ceilings including the attachments such as soap and towel dispensers; light fixtures; and heat/ac vents shall be maintained in good repair. Observed hole in the ceiling in employee bathroom.