Mecklenburg County Health Dept
Public Health Inspections
 
  
 
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 6/13/2019
Final Score @ Grade
95.50 A
General Comments
Violations 
CDI=Corrected During Inspection  R=Repeat Violation  VR=Verification Required 
Violation Item Demerits Violation Description CDIRVRComments
6 0 Hands clean and properly washed Yes No No 2-301.14 Wash hands before donning gloves and between gloves uses. -P Observed employee discard gloves and don gloves without handwash in between. CDI - Fresh pair of gloves discarded and hands were properly washed.
8 0 Handwashing sinks, supplied and accessible Yes No No 5-205.11 Handsinks may only be used for handwashing.-Pf Observed ice dumped in handsink upon entering kitchen. CDI - Ice removed from handsink during inspection.
14 1.50 Food-contact surfaces: cleaned and sanitized No Yes No 4-602.11 Clean the equipment and utensils used with nonTCS foods as required to avoid contamination. Observed build up on white shield inside ice machine. Increase cleaning frequency. REPEAT.
18 0 Proper cooling time and temperatures Yes No No 3-501.14(B) Quickly cool TCS foods that are prepared from room temperature ingredients. Food must be to 41F within 4 hours. -P Observed lettuce and pico de gallo cooling in walk in cooler; both items did not meet cooling parameters for ambient cooling - see temp. chart. CDI - Both containers uncovered and placed on top shelf in walk in cooler to cool rapidly.
22 0 Time as a Public Health Control: procedures and records Yes No No 3-501.19 Provide and follow written procedures for foods held using Time as a Public Health Control (TPHC). Clearly mark foods with begin and end times. All food not sold by the end of 4 hours shall be discarded. -P/Pf Observed facility without writen time procedure for Table Salsa held on 4 hour time hold at server station. Time stamps were correctly placed. CDI - PIC printed time procedure and completed it during inspection.
26 1 Toxic substances properly identified, stored, and used Yes No No 7-204.11 Provide sanitizer at correct concentrations, diluting as required.-P Observed sanitizer bottles located in bar area >400 ppm quat. CDI - Sanitizer was diposed and EHS discussed proper dilution methods when using quat sanitizer on food contact surfaces.
31 0 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 lettuce and pico de gallo densely packed in large plastic containers cooling in walk in cooler. CDI - Both containers uncovered and placed on top shelf in walk in cooler to cool rapidly.
35 0 Food properly labeled: original container No No No 3-302.12 Label all working containers of food (oils, spices, salts) except food that is easy to identify such as dry pasta. Observed metal spice containers at grill line without identifying label.
37 1 Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage and display No Yes No 3-305.11 Store food in a clean, dry location, not exposed to contamination. Keep at least 6 inches above the floor. Observed box of raw meat on floor of walk in cooler. PIC stated the box was from delivery this morning and temporarily stored on floor. REPEAT. Points de-escalated due to improvement in storing food at least 6 inches above floor during cooling, prep, and storage since last inspection.
39 0 Wiping cloths: properly used and stored No No No 3-304.14(B) Hold in-use wiping cloths in sanitizer between uses. Observed wet wiping cloth stored on counter at bar.
42 0.50 Utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried and handled No Yes No 4-901.11(A) Air dry equipment and utensils after cleaning and sanitizing. Observed metal containers wet stacked on clean dish racks. REPEAT.
45 0 Equipment, food and non-food-contact surfaces approved; cleanable, properly designed, constructed and used No No No 4-501.11 Maintain equipment in good repair. Observed ripped gaskets at front prep unit and cold hold draws. 4-101.19 Nonfood-Contact Surfaces - C Observed cardboard used for storage shelves throughout bar area.
47 0.50 Non-food-contact surfaces clean No Yes No 4-601.11(C )/4-602.13 Keep the equipment clean to avoid build up of dust, food residue or debris. Observed inside of microwaves, shelving at server station, and inside front prep unit in need of cleaning. Increase cleaning frequency. REPEAT.
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 tile grout throughout kitchen area in need of repair.