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Mecklenburg County Health Dept
Public Health Inspections
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Premises Information

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NameSANTA FE MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Address5111 CENTRAL AV
 
City/State/ZIP
CHARLOTTE NC 28205
Premise Type1 - Restaurant
CountyMecklenburg
Inspection Date 2/23/2026
Final Score @ Grade
97 A
General Comments

Violations

 
CDI=Corrected During Inspection  R=Repeat Violation  VR=Verification Required 
Violation Item Demerits Violation Description CDIRVRComments
15 1.50 Food separated & protected Yes No No 3-302.11(A)(1) Separate raw animal foods from ready-to-eat foods and washed/unwashed fruits and vegetables. - P. Observed raw burger patties being stored over cheese and raw shelled eggs being stored over french fries inside the prep reach-in unit. No physical evidence of contamination noted. CDI - Storage order was rearranged to prevent cross contamination. -1.5- For more information on food storage order please visit: https://health.mecknc.gov/envhealth/food-and-facilities-sanitation.
16 1.50 Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized No No Yes 4-703.11(B) After being cleaned in a mechanical dish machine, equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be sanitized in the dish machine by achieving a utensil surface temperature of 160°F as measured by a max/min thermometer. - P. Discussion with the PIC revealed that the high temp dish machine has been out of order as of last night. Equipment not in use during today’s inspection. PIC has scheduled repairs with Ecolab and technician’s ETA is 2 hours. PIC agreed to delayed schedule of 11:30 AM and to provide take out only until machine is operable. -1.5- ***VERIFICATION REQUIRED*** For more information, please visit: https://health.mecknc.gov/envhealth/food-and-facilities-sanitation or view our training video at the following weblink: Cleaning and Sanitizing Food Contact Surfaces https://youtu.be/av1Rbh-lh08.
22 0 Proper cold holding temperatures Yes Yes No REPEAT: 3-501.16(A)(2) Maintain TCS foods in cold holding at 41 F or less. - P. Observed recently prepared salsa roja and salsa verde temping 43-45°F in small prep top. CDI - PIC transferred salsas to the walk-in cooler to cool down. 0 demerits due to improvement observed from previous inspection. -0- For more information, please visit: www.mecknc.gov/foodsafety or view our training videos at the following weblinks: What are TCS Foods https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0iLZb7v0UM and Safe Food Temperatures https://youtu.be/tXP09IK-1TQ.
23 0 Proper date marking & disposition Yes No No 3-501.17 Date mark/label all TCS foods that are ready-to-eat once opened or prepared and held more than 24 hrs. - Pf. Observed salsas placed in prep top without dates. CDI - Prep dates were traced back to walk-in cooler batch and containers date labeled. -0- For more information, please visit: www.mecknc.gov/foodsafety or view our training videos at the following weblinks: What are TCS Foods https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0iLZb7v0UM and Date Marking Food Safely https://youtu.be/BOPsSNUajYs.
44 0 Utensils, equipment & linens: properly stored, dried & handled No No No 4-903.11(B)(1) Clean equipment and utensils shall be stored in a self-draining position that allows for air drying. Observed metal food containers wet stacked at utensil shelving unit. Separate and allow to air dry prior to stacking. -0-
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 damaged rubber gaskets at cold drawers under flat top grill. Replace. -0-
51 0 Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices No No No 5-205.15 Maintain a plumbing system in good repair. Observed metal food container catching water leak from left prep sink fixture. Repair. -0-
55 0 Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean No No No 6-101.11/6-201.11 Floors, walls and ceilings shall be designed, constructed, and installed so they are smooth and easily cleanable. Floors shall be non-absorbent in areas subject to moisture. Observed floor tile damage and low grout between tiles throughout cookline. Repair/replace broken floor tiles and re-grout between tiles. -0-