Nashville Mexican Restaurant Cited for Violations During Routine Health Inspection

Tony’s Mexican Restaurant was flagged for improper food storage, unprotected frozen items, and pest activity.

Written By riya yadav
Storefront image of Tony’s Mexican Restaurant (Image credit: Yelp)

[Editor’s note: The report referenced in this article reflects conditions observed during an inspection conducted on March 11 and does not represent the establishment’s current or future status.]

Tony’s Mexican Restaurant received a routine inspection from the Tennessee health department on March 11. The inspection report listed multiple violations, and the restaurant received a score of 79.

WhatNow has reached out to the restaurant for comment and will update the story upon receiving a response.

Tony’s Mexican Restaurant

The restaurant was found in violation of several food regulations, which resulted in it receiving a low score.
Screenshot of the report (Image credit: inspections.myhealthdepartment.com/tennessee)
  • When: March 11, 2026
  • Where: 2635 Lakevilla Dr, Nashville, TN 37217
  • Score: 79

Tony’s Mexican Restaurant serves dishes like steak fajitas and birria tacos. According to the report, the violations noted were:

  • Churros, frozen vegetables, fries, and chicken nuggets in the reach-in freezer were stored uncovered with heavy condensation and ice buildup. The report states that the food must be covered, and about 10lbs of adulterated food were embargoed.
  • Raw beef was kept above ready-to-eat items like queso, sour cream, and salsa in the reach-in cooler 2. Items were rearranged to maintain proper vertical storage.
  • The report said dirty dishes with food debris were found stored on a rack with clean utensils. The person in charge said bleach was used, but inspectors could not confirm a rinse step. According to the report, PIC was explained the washing process and the staff was instructed on the proper procedure, and dishes were rewashed.
The report said that a live cockroach was observed in bins and utensils above prep cooler 2.
Screenshot of the violations (Image credit: inspections.myhealthdepartment.com/tennessee)
  • A live cockroach was observed in bins and utensils located above prep cooler 2, according to the report.
  • The report noted employee drinks stored in the expo reach-in cooler with guest drinks and above the salsa.
  • The report noted forks, spoons, and knives stored handle-up in utensil holders with debris accumulation.
  • A large accumulation of condensation and ice was seen on the racks inside the reach-in freezer on the cookline.

The full inspection report is available online.

Follow-up Inspection

Spoons, knives, and forks were stored handle-up in holders with debris buildup
Screenshot of the footnote (Image credit: inspections.myhealthdepartment.com/tennessee)

The report states the restaurant must correct the violations within 10 days. Repeated violations could lead to the revocation of the eatery’s food service establishment permit, it said.

Love our content?
Add WhatNow as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.

Be the First to Know

From new restaurant openings to exciting retail launches and real estate insights, be the first to know what’s happening in Nashville

Share This Article
Riya Yadav is a writer with a background in journalism and literature who brings her thoughtful, story-driven approach to content creation. She has contributed to newspapers, with a focus on feature writing that captures the nuance of people and culture. Passionate about art, books, cinema, and all things creative, Riya combines cultural insight with strong research to bring clarity and depth to her writing.
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *