Georgia › Carroll County › Bowdon
El Mezcal Mexican Restaurant & Bar
108 CITY HALL AVE , BOWDON, GA 30108 · Health inspection record from Georgia Department of Public Health
Most recent inspection (August 24, 2026): Inspectors recorded 6 violations, 3 of them critical, involving handwashing & hygiene, pest control and food storage. This restaurant scored as low as 75 on January 5, 2026 — 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.
B88August 24, 20266 violations
Inspectors recorded 6 violations, 3 of them critical, involving handwashing & hygiene, pest control and food storage.
Observed in main kitchen handwash sink in disrepair with leak./Repair.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.06(2)(o) - using a handwashing sink- operation & maintenance (pf)”Observed in main kitchen flies present./PIC showed frequent pest control records.
−3 points · Cited as “511-6-1.07(5)(k) - controlling pests (pf, c)”Observed back door with light showing at the bottom./replace to prevent potential pest entry.
−3 points · Cited as “511-6-1.07(5)(k) - controlling pests (pf, c)”Observed glass in handwash sink in bar./PIC moved item.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.07(3)(c) - handwashing aids & devices, use restrictions (c)”Observed in reach in freezer containers of food such as chicken nuggets stored with no lid during slow time./Keep all foods covered in storage.
−3 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(4)(q) - food storage (c)”Observed no labels on bulk containers./All containers must have a name.
−3 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(4)(q) - food storage (c)”C75January 5, 20265 violations
Inspectors recorded 5 violations, 5 of them critical, involving food storage, temperature control and management & training.
Observed in reach in cooler: raw steak above clamato juice, raw bacon beside cooked beef, raw fish beside salsa; in walk in cooler: raw steak beside raw chicken, raw chicken beside corn. PIC moved all items to appropriate locations.
−9 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii) - packaged & unpackaged food separation, packaging, and segregation (p, c)”Observed hot held items below 135F including: steam table- corn 116F; counter- white rice 90F; Steam well at buffet- cooked onion 92F, cooked pepper 128F. PIC discarded all items.
−9 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(6)(f) - time/temperature control for safety; hot holding (p)”Observed no signed employee reporting agreements.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.03(2)(o) - person-in-charge duties (pf)”Observed sponges and rags in handwash sink at bar. PIC removed items.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.06(2)(o) - using a handwashing sink- operation & maintenance (pf)”Observed no chlorine test strips to test sanitizer in dish washer and buckets.
−1 point · Cited as “511-6-1.05(3)(h),(i),(j) - temperature measuring device, manual warewashing; sanitizing solutions, testing device (pf)”B82June 16, 20253 violations
Inspectors recorded 3 violations, 3 of them critical, involving food storage, cleaning & sanitizing and temperature control.
Observed in reach in cooler: hotdogs beside raw chorizo, raw chorizo beside raw steak; in walk in cooler: raw beef beside salsa, squash beside raw chicken, raw shrimp beside queso. PIC moved items to appropriate locations.
−9 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii) - packaged & unpackaged food separation, packaging, and segregation (p, c)”Observed sanitizer bucket at 0 ppm. PIC re-made sanitizer.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.05(6)(n) - manual and mechanical warewashing equipment, chemical sanitization-temperature, ph, concentration, hardness (p,pf)”Observed no probe thermometer to measure food temperatures.
−3 points · Cited as “511-6-1.05(3)(g) - food tmd, provided and accessible; appropriate tmd for measuring thin foods (pf)”B88October 23, 20243 violations
Inspectors recorded 3 violations, 2 of them critical, involving food storage, temperature control and cleaning & sanitizing.
Observed in reach in cooler raw steak stored next to salsas; observed in reach in cooler steak over pork; observed in walk-in cooler raw chicken stored next to vegetables./PIC moved food items to correct location.
−9 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii) - packaged & unpackaged food separation, packaging, and segregation (p, c)”Observed no chlorine test strips to test sanitizer in dish washer and buckets.
−1 point · Cited as “511-6-1.05(3)(h),(i),(j) - temperature measuring device, manual warewashing; sanitizing solutions, testing device (pf)”Observed card board used as a liner to line dry storage shelves.
−1 point · Cited as “511-6-1.05(2)(h) - nonfood-contact surfaces (c)”B83March 22, 20243 violations
Inspectors recorded 3 violations, 3 of them critical, involving food storage, cleaning & sanitizing and handwashing & hygiene.
Observed in reach in cooler- raw beef over sauces, raw beef beside salsa, cooked octopus beside raw fish, raw steak beside raw chicken; in walk in cooler- raw chicken & raw steak beside salsa, raw chicken beside lettuce. PIC moved all items to appropriate location.
−9 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii) - packaged & unpackaged food separation, packaging, and segregation (p, c)”Observed no sanitizer made up; employees were using water to wipe down counters/tables; PIC made sanitizer buckets.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.05(6)(n) - manual and mechanical warewashing equipment, chemical sanitization-temperature, ph, concentration, hardness (p,pf)”Observed no soap and no paper towels available at bar handwash sink.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.07(3)(a) - handwashing cleanser, availability (pf)”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-022-000569. Verify this record at ga.healthinspections.us. Georgia’s inspection records are published by county health district, not from a single statewide portal.