The Tennessee Department of Health conducted a routine health inspection at El Toro Loco on Monday. The inspection officer found multiple food safety and public health code violations, resulting in a low inspection score for the restaurant.
Please note that the score mentioned here is from an inspection conducted on July 28 and may not represent the future health inspection status of the food establishment.
Highlights
- El Toro Loco is a Mexican restaurant on Lebanon Road in Hermitage, Tennessee.
- On July 28, 2025, the restaurant received a low score during a routine health inspection.
- A lack of managerial oversight and employee non-compliance contributed to multiple food safety issues.
El Toro Loco
- Where: 3915 Lebanon Pike, Hermitage, TN 37076
- When: July 28, 2025
- Score: 46
El Toro Loco is known for its Mexican fare and cocktails. On Monday, a routine health inspection at the outlet revealed multiple violations.
The inspecting officer noted that the person in charge was not able to demonstrate appropriate food handler knowledge. The PIC also failed to show the policy or indicate illness and symptoms to report, and to exclude food handlers from the establishment.
During the inspection, it was observed that an employee was actively drinking from a cup without a lid or straw in the cook’s line/ prep table. Employees did not follow proper handwashing procedures. The inspector observed a missing splash guard at the handwashing sink in the preparation area.
The inspecting officer measured dishwasher chlorine at 0 ppm and observed black and pink slimy residue inside the ice machine. In-house prepared oyster sauces were not date-marked. A chemical spray bottle holding bleach was found without a label.
The inspector noted meat thawing at room temperature on the counter. Multiple other violations were observed at the restaurant, as per the inspection report. Some violations were corrected on-site, while others require follow-up action by the restaurant.
The imminent health hazards observed at the restaurant led to a score of 46. The restaurant is expected to address all violations before the reinspection.
