El Sol Mexican Restaurant

4520 W SR 46, Sanford, FL 32771 · Permanent Food Service · License 6905130

Official report

out of 100

Grade C

Safety score 79 of 100

Latest visit: Sep 18, 2026 (7 weeks ago)

What drove the grade

Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation.High priority · fixed on the spot · 12 other violations

How the score was calculated

Starting score100
Violations at the Sep 17 complaint inspection
2 high priority (fixed on the spot), 1 intermediate (fixed on the spot, 1 repeat), 10 basic (3 repeats); basic violations cost 12 at most
-21
Safety score79

Our own summary of the public record, not an official state rating. How grades work · Report an error

Inspection history

2 inspections · 4 visits

Latest inspection

Sep172026

Complaint inspection

13 violations found · Inspector came back once

Follow-up visitSep 18, 2026 Fixed at follow-up
The inspector came back and found the problems fixed.
7 earlier violations still noted, but not enough to need another visit:
- 7 Basic
What was still cited
Basic7
- Code 14, Food-contact surfaces designed and maintained: Equipment in poor repair.
  More time given
  Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
  More time given
  Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
  More time given
  Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken.
  More time given
- Code 36, Floors, walls, ceilings and ventilation: Floors not maintained smooth and durable.
  More time given
  Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair.
  -operator replaced most of the ceiling tiles, only a few remaining
  More time givenFixed on the spot
  Building components, attachments or fixtures in poor repair.
  More time given
Official report, on the Florida DBPR website
First visitSep 17, 2026 Warning issued
Problems were found that had to be fixed. The inspector will come back to check.
13 violations found:
- 2 High priority
- 1 Intermediate
- 10 Basic
What the inspector cited
High priority2
- Code 02, Labeling, date marking and consumer advisory: Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation.
  -cooked taco beef dated Friday, 9/4/2026, per operator foods were prepared on Tuesday, 9/15/2026, operator dated
  Fixed on the spot
- Code 03, Food out of temperature: Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41°F.
  -prep area reach-in cooler: salsa portions 42-64°F, per operator less than 2 hours stored above the fill line, employee relocated excess portions to the lower portion of the reach-in cooler -right side roll-top reach-in cooler: shredded cheese (54°F - Cold Holding); sour cream 52°F, guacamole with fresh cut tomatoes 50°F, diced tomatoes 52°F, fried chicken 51°F, per operator all foods stored less than 3 hours, relocated some foods to another reach-in cooler and placed some foods on ice to rapidly cool
  Fixed on the spot
Intermediate1
- Code 31, Handwash sinks and supplies: No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.
  -handwash sink at left side of the cookline, employee restocked
  Fixed on the spotRepeat violation
Basic10
- Code 05, Thermometers provided and accurate: No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit.
  -right side roll-top reach-in cooler
- Code 08, Food protection and cross-contamination: Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor.
  -walk-in freezer, operator elevated -walk-in cooler: multiple buckets stored on the floor
  Fixed on the spot
- Code 14, Food-contact surfaces designed and maintained: Equipment in poor repair.
  -reach-in cooler underneath the drink dispenser door gasket torn
  Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
  -raw meats shelves
  Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
  -reach-in cooler underneath the drink dispenser
  Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken.
  -raw chicken container lid in walk-in cooler
  Repeat violation
- Code 23, Non-food contact surfaces clean: Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.
  -exterior of trash cans have an accumulation of grease and food debris -buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles
  Repeat violation
- Code 36, Floors, walls, ceilings and ventilation: Floors not maintained smooth and durable.
  -throughout the kitchen
  Repeat violation
  Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair.
  -multiple ceiling tiles with apparent water damage and an accumulation of black, mold-like substance over the dining area, operator states that roof repairs are ongoing
  Fixed on the spot
  Building components, attachments or fixtures in poor repair.
  -handwash sink at right side of cookline has a gap between the wall and the back of the handwash sink
Official report, on the Florida DBPR website

Earlier inspections 1

Jul272026B82Complaint inspection20 violations · 1 follow-up visit Fixed at follow-up

Follow-up visitAug 3, 2026 Fixed at follow-up
The inspector came back and found the problems fixed.
3 earlier violations still noted, but not enough to need another visit:
- 3 Basic
What was still cited
Basic3
- Code 36, Floors, walls, ceilings and ventilation: Floors not maintained smooth and durable.
  More time given
  Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust.
  bottom of stainless steel
  More time given
  Light not functioning.
  More time given
Official report, on the Florida DBPR website
First visitJul 27, 2026 Warning issued
Problems were found that had to be fixed. The inspector will come back to check.
20 violations found:
- 2 Intermediate
- 18 Basic
What the inspector cited
Intermediate2
- Code 05, Thermometers provided and accurate: No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.
- Code 31, Handwash sinks and supplies: No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink.
  -handwashing sink on opposite side of steam table, employee restocked -handwash sink next to exit to dining room
  Fixed on the spotRepeat violation
Basic18
- Code 14, Food-contact surfaces designed and maintained: Ripped/worn tin foil used as shelf cover.
  -bottom shelf of dish storage rack next to handwashing sink
  Repeat violation
  Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken.
  -raw chicken container lid in walk-in cooler
  Ice buildup in walk-in freezer.
  Repeat violation
- Code 16, Dishwashing facilities and test kits: Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
- Code 22, Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized: Accumulation of black mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
  -ice machine in the kitchen
- Code 23, Non-food contact surfaces clean: Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust.
  -exterior of conveyor oven -walk-in cooler plastic shelves -hood filters over cooking equipment have an accumulation of grease and food debris -exterior of cooking equipment has a light accumulation of grease and food debris
  Repeat violation
- Code 25, Single-service items: Single-service articles improperly stored.
  -open case of drink cup lids stored on the floor in dry storage room, operator elevated
  Fixed on the spot
- Code 29, Plumbing and backflow prevention: Water draining onto floor surface.
  -water draining onto floor underneath 3 compartment sink in bar area
  Plumbing system in disrepair.
  -handwash sink next to exit to dining room: pvc drain pipe is broken, employee stated that a plumber has been contacted for repairs
  Fixed on the spot
  Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle.
  -handwash sink nearest to glass door reach-in coolers: faucet leaking -2 compartment sink faucet leaking -3 compartment sink sprayer hose leaking -3 compartment sink in bar area: water continuously flowing
  Repeat violation
- Code 32, Restrooms: Bathroom facility not clean.
  -men's bathroom toilets are soiled
- Code 35, Insects, rodents, pests and animals: Dead roaches on premises.
  -1 dead roach on bottom shelf of prep table in rear prep area, operator removed and cleaned shelf
  Fixed on the spot
- Code 36, Floors, walls, ceilings and ventilation: Floors not maintained smooth and durable.
  -throughout the kitchen
  Repeat violation
  Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust.
  -stainless steel wall behind cooking equipment -walls in dishwashing area
  Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair.
  -water is continuously dripping from ceiling tiles in the dining room
  Light not functioning.
  -multiple lights throughout the kitchen
  Repeat violation
  Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris.
  -floor underneath and behind cooking equipment
  Repeat violation
- Code 40, Employee personal belongings: Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items.
  -employee jacket stored on dry storage area, operator removed
  Fixed on the spot
Official report, on the Florida DBPR website

Reading this report

Priority levels

High priority The problems most likely to make someone sick directly.
Intermediate Could lead to a high-priority problem if not fixed.
Basic Best practices and general upkeep.

Terms in the inspectors’ reports

Time/temperature control for safety food: Food that has to be kept hot, at 135°F or above, or cold, at 41°F or below, to stay safe: meat, seafood, eggs, dairy, cooked rice and beans, cut melons and the like.
Ready-to-eat food: Food eaten without further cooking, such as salads, sandwiches, deli meats and cooked dishes.
Nonfood-contact surface: Surfaces food doesn’t touch, such as the outsides of equipment, handles and door gaskets.
Ambient temperature: The air temperature inside a cooler or holding unit, rather than the food’s own.