A Mexican restaurant in Lilburn, Metro Atlanta, failed the health inspection on April 4 after receiving unsatisfactory scores in a routine inspection. El Paso Tacos and Tequila received the “U” grade in the inspection as a result of several violations of the food code being reported. The restaurant now awaits a follow-up inspection that has been scheduled.
The inspectors noted violations of as many as 21 provisions of the food code during Friday’s inspection. Among the issues cited, the majority were corrected on-site during the inspection. As for the remaining issues that were not addressed, a timeline has been given within which they have to be resolved.
Please note that the scores mentioned here are from a particular inspection conducted on April 4 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the establishment.
Highlights
- A Lilburn restaurant was able to score only 44 points during the health inspection conducted on April 4, leading to it receiving an unsatisfactory grade.
- Key violations reported at the restaurant included temperature issues, issues with food storage and labeling, and missing documentation, among others.
- The follow-up inspection that has been scheduled will be crucial for the restaurant to be able to retain its permit.
El Paso Tacos and Tequila’s Health Inspection Failure
- Where: 4300 Stone Mountain Hwy, Lilburn
- Date: April 4, 2025
- Score: 44 (U)
El Paso Tacos and Tequila had inspectors on the premises on Friday afternoon between 1:15 PM and 3:10 PM. The restaurant, which had previously scored a perfect 100 in the routine inspection conducted in March 2024, demonstrated several violations this time around.
The report begins by stating that the Person in charge was unable to provide key drop delivery documentation. The report also states that the facility lacked active managerial control by the PIC.
The Certified Food Safety Manager (CFSM) certificate was not posted in public view; instead, it was placed in the back near the kitchen, the report noted. The consumer advisory on the menu was incomplete and improperly formatted, the report said.
The report also said that the PIC was not able to verifiably demonstrate that the staff had been trained on reporting symptoms and illnesses. The Employee health reporting agreement was not also provided, marking another violation. Personal drinks in unapproved containers and food of employees were seen stored in unapproved areas. The items were discarded or relocated.
A sanitizer bucket was seen stored in a hand sink, and as a corrective action, the bucket was removed. The hand sink did not have hand soap, the report also said. Inspectors also noted that dirty cups were found to be stored as clean. The cups were sent to the ware washing area to be rewashed, rinsed, and sanitized.
Several dented cans were stored with undamaged cans, the report pointed out. No parasite destruction documentation was provided for the ceviche ingredients, it was stated. Raw animal products were seen stored above ready-to-eat items. The items were reorganized for proper separation by cook temperature to correct the issue.
Several food items were seen stored uncovered in the cooler and freezer as well. Food in the walk-in cooler was held above 41°F, the report also said. Cooked food from the previous day was not cooled properly and was discarded, in another instance of a violation, and corrective action was taken.
Improper cooling methods were being used at the facility as food was stored in deep, covered, and stacked containers. As a corrective action, the cooling methods were reviewed with the person in charge. Fish was seen being thawed in stagnant water, it was reported.
Chemical containers were seen not labeled properly. Bulk food containers were not also not labeled, it was cited. Condiment bottles were stored in lettuce. The detailed list of violations is available in the official inspection report.
Follow-Up Inspection Scheduled
Following the unsatisfactory score in the routine inspection, El Paso Tacos and Tequila will face a reinspection on or before April 14, as per the report. It was also stated that a required additional routine inspection will be conducted within 12 months.
The additional comments section of the report also gave several instructions in line with the issues that were observed during the inspection.
A total of 5 restaurants had scored 100 points, and nine had scored in the 90s during Friday’s health inspections by the GNR County Health Department. There were eight restaurants that scored in the 80s as well. Among the 23 restaurant inspections conducted at food establishments, 18 were routine, 3 were follow-ups, and 2 were required additional routine inspections.
