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Mecklenburg County Health Dept
Public Health Inspections
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Premises Information

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NameEL TORO MEXICAN GRILL & BAR
Address20930 TORRENCE CHAPEL RD
 
City/State/ZIP
CORNELIUS NC 28031
Premise Type1 - Restaurant
CountyMecklenburg
Inspection Date 3/20/2026
Final Score @ Grade
97.50 A
General CommentsPIC discussed adding a self service salsa bar. EHS explained procedure and provided main office number (980-314-1620) along with business card for further questions.

Violations

 
CDI=Corrected During Inspection  R=Repeat Violation  VR=Verification Required 
Violation Item Demerits Violation Description CDIRVRComments
16 1.50 Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized Yes No No 4-601.11(A) Equipment food contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. -Pf. Observed metal pans stacked on clean shelf with sticker residue on inside/ outside surfaces of several pans. CDI - PIC placed items in dish area for w/r/s. - 1.5 - For more information, please visit: https://health.mecknc.gov/envhealth/food-and-facilities-sanitation or view our training videos at the following weblinks: Sanitizing Solutions - https://youtu.be/ykP2mr9CtRg , How to Test Sanitizer https://youtu.be/y0SjmnabFaY , and Cleaning and Sanitizing Food Contact Surfaces https://youtu.be/av1Rbh-lh08 .
35 0 Approved thawing methods used Yes No No 3-501.13 (A), (B), (C) Use approved thawing methods for frozen food such as in a cooler at 41F or below, completely submerged under cold running water according to the Code, or as a part of the cooking process. Pf Observed chicken thawing under running water in prep sink not submerged. Running water was observed at a temperature of 59F. CDI - PIC placed chicken in filled bus tub, under running water to continue thawing process.
37 1 Food properly labeled: original container Yes Yes No 3-302.12 Label all working containers of food (oils, spices, salts, flour, sugar) except food that is easy to identify such as dry pasta. Observed squeeze bottle of sour cream in prep unit lacking label. CDI - Labels added. - 1 -
39 0 Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display Yes No No 3-305.14 Unpackaged food shall be protected from contamination during preparation. Observed container of refried beans being reheated in table top steam well. Item was located on shelf under microwave. Container was not covered. CDI - PIC placed lid on container to prevent contamination from shelf above.
44 0 Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried & handled Yes No No 4-901.11(A) Air dry equipment and utensils after cleaning and sanitizing. Observed numerous metal pans that were stacked wet. CDI- EHS demonstrated pyramid stacking to allow air flow. Containers were separated and allowed to air dry.
47 0 Equipment, food & non-food contact surfaces approved, cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used No No No 4-501.11 Maintain equipment in good repair. Observed the bottom of walk in refrigerator and freezer doors with damage. Threshold of walkin refrigerator was observed with broken tiles. Wood shelving supports on prep line walls were observed with chipped paint. Repair/replace damaged areas.