How many health inspections has EL ZOCALO MEXICAN RESTAURANT had?

EL ZOCALO MEXICAN RESTAURANT has had 39 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.

Has EL ZOCALO MEXICAN RESTAURANT ever been shut down?

No, EL ZOCALO MEXICAN RESTAURANT has no emergency closures on record.

What are the most common violations at EL ZOCALO MEXICAN RESTAURANT?

The most frequently cited violations at EL ZOCALO MEXICAN RESTAURANT are: Clean multi-use utensils, Consumer advisory, Single-use items.

What does Florida violation V01 (Management awareness) mean?

MANAGEMENT FAILURE: CDC data shows establishments without active managerial control have 3x more critical violations. The person in charge must demonstrate knowledge of foodborne illness prevention, HACCP principles, and Florida food safety law. Without oversight, violations go uncorrected, creating compounding risk of multi-pathogen outbreaks. Person in charge must be present during ALL hours of operation and must demonstrate knowledge of: foodborne illness risk factors, proper cooking temperatures, handwashing procedures, allergen management, and employee health policy. Must hold a valid Food Manager Certification per Florida Statute 509.039.

What does Florida violation V10 (Approved food source) mean?

UNSAFE FOOD SOURCE: Food from unapproved sources bypasses USDA/FDA safety inspections, potentially harboring Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, parasites, or chemical contaminants. Uninspected meat may contain antibiotics, hormones, or prions (mad cow disease). Home-canned foods risk deadly Clostridium botulinum toxin. Wild-harvested shellfish may contain paralytic toxins. All food must come from approved, inspected sources. Maintain supplier documentation and invoices. Shellfish must have proper tags retained for 90 days. No home-prepared, home-canned, or uninspected foods. Wild game must be commercially processed. Verify supplier licenses and inspection status.

What does Florida violation V23 (Chemical properly stored) mean?

CHEMICAL POISONING: Improperly stored chemicals near food can cause acute poisoning through contamination, mislabeling, or accidental use. Sanitizer concentrate causes chemical burns to mouth and esophagus. Pesticides cause neurological damage. Degreaser ingestion requires emergency treatment. Cross-contamination from chemical storage areas can affect all food in facility. Store ALL chemicals: below food and food contact surfaces, in original labeled containers, separated from food storage areas, in designated chemical storage area. Never store chemicals in food containers. Maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals. Train employees on proper chemical handling, storage, and emergency procedures.

EL ZOCALO MEXICAN RESTAURANT

406 S SANFORD AVE, Sanford, FL 32771

Seminole County · Permanent Food Service · Owner: EL ZOCALO RESTAURANTE MEXICANO LLC · License: SEA6904836

EL ZOCALO MEXICAN RESTAURANT in Sanford, FL has 39 inspections on record with 292 total violations (7.5 per inspection) and 0 emergency closures.

39Inspections

292Violations

0Closures

Data current as of April 15, 2025

Inspection History (39)

Apr 15, 2025 — Routine - Food· 11 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Nov 18, 2024 — Routine - Food· 10 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V10 Approved food source

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V41 Toilet facilities

Jun 12, 2024 — Complaint Full· 2 violations · Call Back - Complied

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

Jun 11, 2024 — Complaint Full· 8 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V10 Approved food source

V13 Parasite destruction

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Apr 11, 2024 — Routine - Food· 8 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V40 Wiping cloths usage

V41 Toilet facilities

Dec 14, 2023 — Routine - Food· 16 violations (3 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V05 Handwashing procedures

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

V22 Consumer advisory

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

Jul 13, 2023 — Routine - Food· 1 violations · Call Back - Complied

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

Jul 6, 2023 — Routine - Food· 3 violations · Call Back - Extension given, pending

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

Jun 5, 2023 — Routine - Food· 4 violations · Call Back - Extension given, pending

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

Apr 4, 2023 — Routine - Food· 10 violations · Call Back - Extension given, pending

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V36 Proper ventilation

Apr 3, 2023 — Routine - Food· 19 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V09 No contamination

V11 Food in good condition

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

Aug 10, 2022 — Routine - Food· 2 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

Jul 11, 2022 — Routine - Food· 9 violations · Call Back - Extension given, pending

High Priority Violations

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

May 10, 2022 — Routine - Food· 15 violations (1 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V10 Approved food source

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V32 Proper sanitizing

V35 Single-use items

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V45 Floor maintenance

V47 Wall/ceiling maintenance

V51 Premises clean

Nov 18, 2021 — Routine - Food· 6 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Nov 16, 2021 — Routine - Food· 19 violations (5 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V05 Handwashing procedures

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V12 Shell stock requirements

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Feb 3, 2021 — Routine - Food· 12 violations (4 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

Oct 20, 2020 — Routine - Food· 4 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V35 Single-use items

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Oct 14, 2020 — Routine - Food· 11 violations (4 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V14 Food contact surfaces

V21 Time as control

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Feb 28, 2020 — Routine - Food· 4 violations · Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V41 Toilet facilities

Feb 26, 2020 — Routine - Food· 6 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V41 Toilet facilities

Oct 31, 2019 — Routine - Food· 1 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

Oct 30, 2019 — Routine - Food· 5 violations (3 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V22 Consumer advisory

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

May 9, 2019 — Routine - Food· 5 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V22 Consumer advisory

V27 Correct procedures

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V35 Single-use items

Dec 6, 2018 — Routine - Food· 10 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V05 Handwashing procedures

V12 Shell stock requirements

V16 Proper cooking temps

V21 Time as control

V23 Chemical properly stored

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

Jul 9, 2018 — Routine - Food· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

May 11, 2018 — Routine - Food· 3 violations · Call Back - Extension given, pending

High Priority Violations

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

May 3, 2018 — Routine - Food· 12 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V06 Handwashing facilities

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V38 Waste properly disposed

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

Nov 30, 2017 — Food-Licensing Inspection· 2 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V32 Proper sanitizing

Aug 17, 2017 — Routine - Food· 7 violations (3 high priority)· Call Back - Extension given, pending

High Priority Violations

V03 Employee health reporting

V05 Handwashing procedures

V14 Food contact surfaces

V25 Allergen awareness

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Aug 16, 2017 — Routine - Food· 12 violations (5 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V01 Management awareness

V03 Employee health reporting

V05 Handwashing procedures

V14 Food contact surfaces

V22 Consumer advisory

V23 Chemical properly stored

V25 Allergen awareness

Intermediate Violations

V41 Toilet facilities

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

V53 Outer openings protected

May 23, 2017 — Routine - Food· 3 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

Mar 22, 2017 — Routine - Food· 14 violations (2 high priority)· Warning Issued

High Priority Violations

V02 Employee health policy

V03 Employee health reporting

V05 Handwashing procedures

V08 Proper hand/arm washing

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

V22 Consumer advisory

Intermediate Violations

V29 Proper sewage disposal

V31 Clean multi-use utensils

V32 Proper sanitizing

Basic Violations

V53 Outer openings protected

Dec 5, 2016 — Food-Licensing Inspection· 3 violations · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

V14 Food contact surfaces

V16 Proper cooking temps

Basic Violations

V51 Premises clean

How Does This Facility Compare?

EL ZOCALO MEXICAN RESTAURANT has had 0 emergency closures, compared to the Seminole County average of 0.10 closures per facility. It has averaged 7.5 violations per inspection vs. the county average of 3.99.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many health inspections has EL ZOCALO MEXICAN RESTAURANT had?: EL ZOCALO MEXICAN RESTAURANT has had 39 inspections according to Florida DBPR records.
Has EL ZOCALO MEXICAN RESTAURANT ever been shut down?: No, EL ZOCALO MEXICAN RESTAURANT has no emergency closures on record.
What are the most common violations at EL ZOCALO MEXICAN RESTAURANT?: The most frequently cited violations at EL ZOCALO MEXICAN RESTAURANT are: Clean multi-use utensils, Consumer advisory, Single-use items.

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Editorial Standards & Data Oversight

Data Source: This report is based on official public inspection records from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).

Editorial Process: Content generated using AI to synthesize complex regulatory data, then reviewed and verified for accuracy by our editorial team.

Professional Review: All content undergoes standards and compliance oversight by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., Nationally Registered EMT & BU-trained Paralegal, using professional regulatory data auditing protocols.

Last verified: April 15, 2025 | Our methodology | Editorial standards | Report an error

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with EL ZOCALO MEXICAN RESTAURANT.