Orange County Mexican Restaurant was Ordered to Close After Routine Health Inspection

A routine inspection by the Orange County Health Care Agency led to the temporary closure of El Chilango #1 due to a cockroach infestation and additional health code violations. The restaurant’s management must take adequate measures to eliminate the cockroaches and also address the other violations.

Please note that the report mentioned here is from an inspection conducted on July 22. It may not represent the future health inspection status of the food establishment.

Highlights

• Orange County Mexican restaurant, El Chilango #1, ordered to close after failed health inspection.
• A cockroach infestation and other minor violations led to the temporary closure.
• A follow-up inspection will verify the corrections before business can resume.

El Chilango #1

• Where: 2217 N Fairview St, Santa Ana, CA 92706
• Date: July 22, 2025

Inspectors observed various health code violations at El Chilango # on N Fairview Street. The inspection report first focuses on the cockroach infestation in the facility. Several live and dead cockroaches were found throughout the facility.

Live roaches were under the 3-compartment sink, around the prep cooler outlet, on the back of the prep cooler, and behind the oven at the cooks’ line. Dead roaches were in many locations. This included the floor sink and the area beneath the two-door upright freezer in the dry storage room. Roaches were on the wall and side of the rear door and the wall of the storage room entrance.

Inspectors also noted several other violations, some of which were corrected during or after the inspection. The raw shell eggs were stored above the ready-to-eat foods. Old food debris was accumulating in several areas of the Mexican restaurant.

Food debris was spotted on the sides of the prep coolers next to the oven, and on the bottom surfaces of the prep cooler next to the 3-compartment sink. Inspectors observed additional accumulations of food debris and trash in various areas.

There was more accumulation of food debris, trash, and filth in the facility. Filth was found under the 3-door upright cooler. It was also under the coolers and shelves in the back kitchen.

Food debris was accumulating on the back wall in front of the employee restrooms. It was also accumulating on the wall in front of the prep cooler next to the cook’s line.

The juicer was on the floor of the storage room instead of at least 6 inches above the ground. Cloths intended for multiple uses were not stored in sanitizer buckets as required. Inspectors reported that several areas of the facility required repair. Gaps and holes were in many areas, including the base cove tile corner under the 3-compartment sink.

Behind the oven at the cook’s line was a gap between the base cove tile and the wall in the corner. There was a small hole in the wall in the dry storage area. The rear door’s door frame had small holes, and there were gaps around it.

There was no approved handwash sink in the restaurant. The handwash sink needs installation. While a prep sink is not a current requirement, it may be required later according to menu changes.

A detailed health report of this OC Mexican restaurant’s inspection is available online.

Follow-Up Inspection

The management needs to rid the facility of all cockroach activity and evidence. A handwash sink must be installed before the next scheduled reinspection on September 19, 2025. The facility needs to clean and repair all the places mentioned in the report. The restaurant will be reinspected once all required corrections have been made. The management can oppose this decision and request a hearing within 15 days.

The Orange County Health Care Agency continues to ensure public eateries maintain standard health practices.