Georgia › Candler County › Metter
El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant
1140 S LEWIS ST , METTER, GA 30439 · Health inspection record from Georgia Department of Public Health
Most recent inspection (August 5, 2026): Inspectors recorded 2 violations, 1 of them critical, involving handwashing & hygiene. This restaurant scored as low as 78 on April 22, 2024 — see the full history below.
Inspection history
Every recorded inspection, newest first. Open one to see what the inspector found that day — a past failure matters even when the current score looks fine.
A91August 5, 20262 violations
Inspectors recorded 2 violations, 1 of them critical, involving handwashing & hygiene.
Observed a waitress rinsing a dry towel in the handwashing sink. CA I spoke with the manager and told them that the handwashing sink is for hand washing only.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.06(2)(o) - using a handwashing sink- operation & maintenance (pf)”Observed beef in a Ziploc bag in a container full of water thawing.
−3 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(6)(c) - thawing (c)”B83December 29, 20256 violations
Inspectors recorded 6 violations, 2 of them critical, involving handwashing & hygiene.
Observed a food handler touch food without washing their hands. COS The food handler washed his hands.
−9 points · Cited as “511-6-1.03(5)(c) - when to wash (p)”Observed handwashing sink at the bar blocked with spray bottle and rags in it. CA Nothing should be in the sink other than using it to wash hands.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.06(2)(o) - using a handwashing sink- operation & maintenance (pf)”Observed food handler touch ready to eat lettuce with bare hands onto a plate of food. COS The plate of food was thrown in the trash.
−9 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(4)(a)1,2,3,4(i) - preventing contamination from hands (p), (pf), (c)”Observed both dish washers with beards longer than a 1/2" in length.
−3 points · Cited as “511-6-1.03(5)(j) - hair restraints (c)”Observed a waitress was a cup to scoop ice for a customers drink.
−1 point · Cited as “511-6-1.04(4)(k) - in-use utensils, between-use storage (c)”Observed the dish washer drying bowls with a towel after removing them from the dish machine rack.
−1 point · Cited as “511-6-1.05(10)(a) - equipment & utensils, air-drying required (c)”A91June 4, 20253 violations
Inspectors recorded 3 violations, 1 of them critical, involving handwashing & hygiene and food storage.
Observed soap unavailable at the hand washing sink in the kitchen. COS Soap was placed in the dispenser.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.07(3)(a) - handwashing cleanser, availability (pf)”Observed steak, pork, fish, scallops, hamburger patties and ham in the reach in cooler uncovered. Observed zucchini and mushrooms uncovered on a shelf by the grill. CA All foods are to be covered to protect from contamination.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(iv) - packaged & unpackaged food, food stored covered(c)”Observed scoop handle stored in the rice in dry storage room and a single use plastic cup was in the diced tomatoes at the prep top cooler line in the kitchen.
−1 point · Cited as “511-6-1.04(4)(k) - in-use utensils, between-use storage (c)”B84April 21, 20253 violations
Inspectors recorded 3 violations, 2 of them critical, involving temperature control, handwashing & hygiene and cleaning & sanitizing.
Observed queso cheese hot holding below 135F. COS: Cheese discarded.
−9 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(6)(f) - time/temperature control for safety; hot holding (p)”Observed dishes at the hand washing station. COS: Dishes were removed from hand washing station.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.06(2)(o) - using a handwashing sink- operation & maintenance (pf)”Observed raw wood used as a countertop.
−1 point · Cited as “511-6-1.05(1)(g) - wood, use limitation (c)”A91October 21, 20243 violations
Inspectors recorded 3 violations, 1 of them critical, involving handwashing & hygiene, food storage and cleaning & sanitizing.
Observed a plate on the hand washing sink. COS: Plate removed.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.06(2)(o) - using a handwashing sink- operation & maintenance (pf)”Observed uncovered foods being stored in reach-in units.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(iv) - packaged & unpackaged food, food stored covered(c)”Observed a reach-in unit with an ambient of 70F.
−1 point · Cited as “511-6-1.05(6)(a) - good repair & proper adjustment (c)”A92April 29, 20242 violations
Inspectors recorded 2 violations, 1 of them critical, involving cleaning & sanitizing and food storage.
Observed can opener blade with minor grime.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.05(7)(a)1 - equipment, food-contact surfaces,& utensils (pf)”Observed multiple containers of ice baths holding salsa & refried beans being stored on the ground.
−3 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(4)(q) - food storage (c)”C78April 22, 20246 violations
Inspectors recorded 6 violations, 2 of them critical, involving temperature control, food storage and cleaning & sanitizing.
Observed raw beef on top of a microwave at 48F & several foods in the walk-in cooler above 41F. COS: Foods discarded.
−9 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(6)(f) - time/temperature control for safety; cold holding (p)”Observed queso cheese hot holding at 102F. COS: Cheese discarded.
−9 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(6)(f) - time/temperature control for safety; hot holding (p)”Observed uncovered raw beef sitting on top of the microwave unit & uncovered veggies in a reach-in unit. COS: Meat discarded.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(iv) - packaged & unpackaged food, food stored covered(c)”Observed meats being thawed in a sink & sitting in stagnant water. COS: PIC drained sink & turned on faucet to thaw meat properly.
−3 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(6)(c) - thawing (c)”Observed a pot with hot cooked food being stored on the floor. COS: Food handler removed pot from floor.
−3 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(4)(q) - food storage (c)”Observed walk-in cooler ambient temperature at 47F.
−1 point · Cited as “511-6-1.05(6)(q)1&3 - good repair & calibration (c)”Georgia scores on a 100-point scale: A 90–100, B 80–89, C 70–79, U below 70.
Source
Published by the Georgia Department of Public Health · permit FSP-021-000058. Verify this record at ga.healthinspections.us. Georgia’s inspection records are published by county health district, not from a single statewide portal.