Metter, Candler County

El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant

1140 S LEWIS ST METTER, GA 30439

Food

Latest score

Dec 29, 2025

City

Metter

County

Candler

Inspections

Score history

Inspection scores over time for this facility.

Inspection history

Georgia inspection history is score-based, with violations grouped under each recorded inspection.

Dec 29, 2025

Routine

Score: 836 violations

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2-1B - hands clean and properly washed

Regulation: 511-6-1.03(5)(c) - when to wash (p)

9 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed a food handler touch food without washing their hands. COS The food handler washed his hands

2-1C - no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods or approved alternate method properly followed

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(4)(a)1,2,3,4(i) - preventing contamination from hands (p), (pf), (c)

9 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

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.

2-2D - adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible

Regulation: 511-6-1.06(2)(o) - using a handwashing sink- operation & maintenance (pf)

4 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

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

12B - personal cleanliness

Regulation: 511-6-1.03(5)(j) - hair restraints (c)

3 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed both dish washers with beards longer than a 1/2" in length

14A - in-use utensils: properly stored

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(4)(k) - in-use utensils, between-use storage (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed a waitress was a cup to scoop ice for a customers drink.

14B - utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried, handled

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(10)(a) - equipment & utensils, air-drying required (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed the dish washer drying bowls with a towel after removing them from the dish machine rack

Jun 4, 2025

Routine

Score: 913 violations

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2-2D - adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible

Regulation: 511-6-1.07(3)(a) - handwashing cleanser, availability (pf)

4 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed soap unavailable at the hand washing sink in the kitchen. COS Soap was placed in the dispenser.

4-2A - food stored covered

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(iv) - packaged & unpackaged food, food stored covered(c)

4 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

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.

14A - in-use utensils: properly stored

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(4)(k) - in-use utensils, between-use storage (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

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.

Apr 21, 2025

Routine

Score: 843 violations

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6-1B - proper hot holding temperatures

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(6)(f) - time/temperature control for safety; hot holding (p)

9 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed queso cheese hot holding below 135F. COS: Cheese discarded.

2-2D - adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible

Regulation: 511-6-1.06(2)(o) - using a handwashing sink- operation & maintenance (pf)

4 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: Yes

Observed dishes at the hand washing station. COS: Dishes were removed from hand washing station.

15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(1)(g) - wood, use limitation (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed raw wood used as a countertop. CA: Advised PIC counter needs to be painted so that it is smooth and easily cleanable.

Oct 21, 2024

Routine

Score: 913 violations

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2-2D - adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible

Regulation: 511-6-1.06(2)(o) - using a handwashing sink- operation & maintenance (pf)

4 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed a plate on the hand washing sink. COS: Plate removed.

4-2A - food stored covered

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(iv) - packaged & unpackaged food, food stored covered(c)

4 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed uncovered foods being stored in reach-in units. CA: Advised PIC to keep foods stored covered.

15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(6)(a) - good repair & proper adjustment (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed a reach-in unit with an ambient of 70F. CA: Advised PIC to not put any TCS food in cooler and to repair to cold hold at 41 or below.

Apr 29, 2024

Routine

Score: 922 violations

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4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(7)(a)1 - equipment, food-contact surfaces,& utensils (pf)

4 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed can opener blade with minor grime. CA: Advised PIC to clean after each use, or every four hours.

12A - contamination prevented during food preparation, storage, display

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(4)(q) - food storage (c)

3 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: Yes

Observed multiple containers of ice baths holding salsa & refried beans being stored on the ground. CA: All foods & kitchen utensils shall be stored 6" above the ground.

Apr 22, 2024

Routine

Score: 786 violations

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6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(6)(f) - time/temperature control for safety; cold holding (p)

9 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed raw beef on top of a microwave at 48F & several foods in the walk-in cooler above 41F. COS: Foods discarded.

6-1B - proper hot holding temperatures

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(6)(f) - time/temperature control for safety; hot holding (p)

9 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed queso cheese hot holding at 102F. COS: Cheese discarded.

4-2A - food stored covered

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(iv) - packaged & unpackaged food, food stored covered(c)

4 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: Yes

Observed uncovered raw beef sitting on top of the microwave unit & uncovered veggies in a reach-in unit. COS: Meat discarded.

11C - approved thawing methods used

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(6)(c) - thawing (c)

3 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed meats being thawed in a sink & sitting in stagnant water. COS: PIC drained sink & turned on faucet to thaw meat properly.

12A - contamination prevented during food preparation, storage, display

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(4)(q) - food storage (c)

3 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed a pot with hot cooked food being stored on the floor. COS: Food handler removed pot from floor.

15A - food and nonfood-contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, and used

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(6)(q)1&3 - good repair & calibration (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed walk-in cooler ambient temperature at 47F. CA: Facility must fix the cooler to cold hold at 41F or below and call the health department to check the unit before it can be used again.

Oct 23, 2023

Routine

Score: 903 violations

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4-2A - food stored covered

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(iv) - packaged & unpackaged food, food stored covered(c)

4 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed several foods in the reach-in cooling units, hot holding units, prep top, & walk-in freezer stored unlidded. CA: Keep all foods covered & protected to prevent contamination.

11A - proper cooling methods used: adequate equipment for temperature control

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(6)(e) - cooling methods (pf, c)

3 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed ceviche, flan, & pico de gallo improperly cooling with tightly closed lids and aluminum wrapping in the reach-in units. CA: Keep all foods partially lidded/wrapped to allow proper cooling of foods.

12C - wiping cloths: properly used and stored

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(4)(m) - wiping cloths, use limitation (c)

3 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed wiping cloths being stored on top of the cutting/prep board. CA: All wiping clothes shall be stored in sanitizing solution in between use to prevent contamination of food & food contact surfaces.