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El Potro Mexican Restaurant of Rincon, Inc.
173 COMMERCIAL DR , RINCON, GA 31326 · Health inspection record from Georgia Department of Public Health
Most recent inspection (July 21, 2026): Inspectors recorded 9 violations, 6 of them critical, involving temperature control, cleaning & sanitizing and food storage.
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.
C71July 21, 20269 violations
Inspectors recorded 9 violations, 6 of them critical, involving temperature control, cleaning & sanitizing and food storage.
Observed items on the buffet cold line that were not under 41 degrees including sour cream, sliced tomatoes, guacamole, and hard-boiled eggs.
−9 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(6)(f) - time/temperature control for safety; cold holding (p)”Observed an employee drink stored in an ice well that contained ice for consumption.
−3 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(4)(h) - ice used as exterior coolant, prohibited as an ingredient (p)”Observed PIC not performing duties and monitoring employees cold holding and thawing of TCS foods.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.03(2)(a)-(n)(p),(q) - responsibility of pic (pf)”Observed buildup of mold-like substance on baffle of ice machine.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.05(7)(a)1 - equipment, food-contact surfaces,& utensils (pf)”Observed buildup of debris on blade of can opener.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.05(7)(a)1 - equipment, food-contact surfaces,& utensils (pf)”Observed lip of glass placed on rusted bottom of cooler.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.05(7)(a)1 - equipment, food-contact surfaces,& utensils (pf)”Observed multiple TCS items stored uncovered in an ice bath near the grill in the main kitchen including bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(iv) - packaged & unpackaged food, food stored covered(c)”Observed raw shrimp thawing in a sink with running water above 70 degrees.
−3 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(6)(c) - thawing (c)”Observed buildup of debris on plates of drink machine.
−1 point · Cited as “511-6-1.05(7)(a)2,3 - equipment, food/nonfood-contact surfaces, and utensils, food-contact surfaces of cooking equipment & nonfood-contact surfaces free of accumulations (c)”C72May 26, 20268 violations
Inspectors recorded 8 violations involving food storage, temperature control and cleaning & sanitizing.
Observed raw beef patties stored next to bean and cheese chimichangas. Observed raw beef patties stored above whole beef and raw fish.
−9 points · Cited as “null”Observed items on the buffet cold line that were not under 41 degrees including sour cream, shredded cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, and hard boiled eggs.
−9 points · Cited as “null”Observed items in prep top/reach in cooler above 41 degrees including cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and beans.
−9 points · Cited as “null”Observed shredded chicken and cheese held under 135 degrees in steam table.
−9 points · Cited as “null”Observed multiple TCS items stored uncovered in an ice bath near the grill in the main kitchen including bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions.
−4 points · Cited as “null”Observed buildup of mold-like substance on baffle of ice machine.
−4 points · Cited as “null”Observed raw shrimp thawing in sink not fully submerged under running water.
−3 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(6)(c) - thawing (c)”Observed build up of debris on plates of drink machine.
−1 point · Cited as “null”A93November 7, 20252 violations
Inspectors recorded 2 violations involving food storage.
Observed multiple TCS food items stored uncovered in an ice bath in the main kitchen area (shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, etc.).
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(iv) - packaged & unpackaged food, food stored covered(c)”Observed raw shrimp thawing in the prep sink, without running water at least 70 degrees F or lower over it.
−3 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(6)(c) - thawing (c)”A91March 25, 20251 violation
Inspectors recorded 1 violation, 1 of them critical, involving food storage.
Observed raw chicken stored above raw beef in the Walk In Cooler. Observed raw beef stored above RTE refried beans on the Walk In Cooler.
−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)”A90September 17, 20244 violations
Inspectors recorded 4 violations, 3 of them critical, involving cleaning & sanitizing, temperature control and menu & labeling.
Observed aluminum and cardboard used as shelf liner throughout the facility.
−1 point · Cited as “511-6-1.05(1)(a) - materials, general requirements (p, c)”Observed multiple TCS and no -TCS food items, prepped in the facility and remaining in service for over 24 hours, not date marked (salsa, ground beef, chicken, etc.).
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(6)(g) - ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food, date marking (pf)”Observed multiple bulk containers throughout the facility, with food taken out of original packaging, not labeled with the common name of food item. RCA: Informed PIC to put labels on all bulk bins with name of food item.
−3 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(7)(c) - food labels (pf, c)”Observed a bowl being used as a scoop and stored within salsa in the Walk In Cooler.
−1 point · Cited as “511-6-1.04(4)(k) - in-use utensils, between-use storage (c)”B86May 14, 20246 violations
Inspectors recorded 6 violations, 2 of them critical, involving cleaning & sanitizing, food storage and pest control.
Observed no sanitizer reading at the dish machine.
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.05(6)(n) - manual and mechanical warewashing equipment, chemical sanitization-temperature, ph, concentration, hardness (p,pf)”Observed aluminum and cardboard used as shelf liner throughout the facility.
−1 point · Cited as “511-6-1.05(1)(a) - materials, general requirements (p, c)”Observed multiple TCS and non-TCS food items stored uncovered in the Prep Coolers (diced onions, shredded lettuce, cilantro, raw potatoes).
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(iv) - packaged & unpackaged food, food stored covered(c)”Observed containers with TCS food items in them, stored on the floor in the Walk In Cooler.
−3 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(4)(q) - food storage (c)”Observed live and dead roaches in the kitchen area of the facility. Obtain a monthly pest control agreement with a licensed pest control company. Provide documentation.
−3 points · Cited as “511-6-1.07(5)(l) - removing dead or trapped birds, insects, rodents, and other pest (c)”Observed old dirt build up on walls (under the 3-compartment sink, under the prep sink/hand sink area) in the kitchen area.
−1 point · Cited as “511-6-1.07(5)(a),(b) - good repair, physical facilities maintained; cleaning, frequency & restrictions, cleaned often enough to keep them clean (c)”B80October 19, 20237 violations
Inspectors recorded 7 violations, 3 of them critical, involving food storage, cleaning & sanitizing and menu & labeling.
Observed raw seafood stored next to and touching raw chicken. Observed raw seafood, beef, and chicken stored on the same shelf without proper separation. RCA: PIC is to rearrange the chicken, seafood, and beef, so that it is stored properly according to storage chart. It is to be separated if stored on the same shelf. PIC was educated on proper storage methods.
−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 chlorine sanitizer to not be pulling sufficient amounts on chemical test kit reading. RCA: PIC is to place work order to have the ware washing machine looked at. In the meantime, may use 3-compartment sink to wash dishes with proper amounts of 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 several working containers of food that were unlabeled in reach in coolers. RCA: Informed PIC to label any food items placed in containers that are taken out of the original packaging.
−3 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(7)(c) - food labels (pf, c)”Observed uncovered food items in reach-in cooler (beef, seafood).
−4 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(iv) - packaged & unpackaged food, food stored covered(c)”Observed bulk containers throughout the facility with food taken out of original packaging does not label with common name of food item. RCA: Informed PIC to put labels on all bulk bins with name of food item. Education: Violation Code Reference 511-6-1.04(4)(d) - Food Storage Containers Identified with Common Name of Food (C) (d) Food Storage Containers, Identified with Common Name of Food. Except for containers holding food that can be readily and unmistakably recognized, such as dry pasta, working containers holding food or food ingredients that are removed from their original packages for use in the food establishment, such as cooking oils, flour, herbs, potato flakes, salt, spices, and sugar shall be clearly and legibly identified, in English, with the common name of the food.
−3 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(4)(d) - food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)”Observed bins of chips placed on the floor, as well as dirty dishes on the floor near the ware washing machine. COS: Dirty dishes and food were moved to be at least 6 inches off of the floor. Education: Items shall be stored at least 6 inches off of the floor to prevent contamination.
−3 points · Cited as “511-6-1.04(4)(q) - food storage (c)”Observed (2) lights out under hood not functioning. One light did not have bulb in it, the other light needs to have the bulb replaced.
−1 point · Cited as “511-6-1.07(3)(f) - lighting intensity, adequate in food prep, storage & service areas (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-051-000104. Verify this record at ga.healthinspections.us. Georgia’s inspection records are published by county health district, not from a single statewide portal.