El Zocalo Mexican Restaurant
406 S Sanford Ave, Sanford, FL 32771 · Permanent Food Service · License 6904836
What drove the grade
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing.
How the score was calculated
- Starting score100
- Violations at the Sep 9 routine inspection1 intermediate, 6 basic (2 repeats)-11
- Safety score89
Our own summary of the public record, not an official state rating. How grades work · Report an error
Inspection history
1 inspection · 1 visitRoutine inspection
- First visitSep 9, 2026 No follow-up needed
Met the state's inspection standards; the inspector didn't need to come back. Any violations cited still count toward the grade.
7 violations found:
Official report, on the Florida DBPR websiteWhat the inspector cited
Intermediate1
Code 31, Handwash sinks and supplies: Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing.
-handwash sink in front cooking area used as dump sink
Basic6
Code 12, Handwashing and hygienic practices: Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils.
-employee beverage cup on cutting board, employee removed
Fixed on the spotRepeat violation
Code 14, Food-contact surfaces designed and maintained: Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
Repeat violation
Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
-"salad" reach-in cooler
Code 29, Plumbing and backflow prevention: Plumbing system in disrepair.
-handwash sink in front kitchen area needs alignment for hot water to flow properly
Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler.
-"main line" reach-in cooler, employee removed
Fixed on the spot
Code 36, Floors, walls, ceilings and ventilation: Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair.
-over triple sink, operator states repairs are ongoing
Fixed on the spot
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.