Springfield, Effingham County

El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant

1438 HWY 21 S SPRINGFIELD, GA 31329

Food
Latest score
80
Dec 11, 2025
City
Springfield
County
Effingham
Inspections
5

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 11, 2025

Routine

Score: 805 violations

2-1B - hands clean and properly washed

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

9 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed employee wash hands with single use gloves on prior to handling a tortilla, and continuing to use without changing gloves.

CA: Staff removed gloves and washed hands and replaced gloves prior to touching a new tortilla.

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 food items including various raw meat, chicken nuggets, tortillas in reach in cooler, black beans in the walk in cooler, and beef patties in the deep freezer uncovered when in storage.

Rule: All food items shall be stored covered and/or wrapped.

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

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

4 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed both soda gun nozzles with heavy buildup on the food-contact surfaces.

CA: Manager cleaned and sanitized the nozzles.

6-2 - proper date marking and disposition

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(6)(g) - ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food, date marking (pf)

4 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed salsa with past due date of 11/29/2025 that exceeds the 7-day limit for storage of food below 41F. Other TCS items were inconsistently dated or appeared to have old inaccurate date labels.

CA: Employee discarded salsa immediately. Rule: Cold held TCS ready to eat items held longer than one day shall be labelled with the prep date and discarded within 7 days.

18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present

Regulation: 511-6-1.07(2)(m) - outer openings protected (c)

3 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed door in the back of the facility not properly closing or latching, with a large gap below the door.

Rule: Outer openings of a food service establishment shall be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by:

Filling or closing holes and other gaps along floors, walls, and ceilings;

(ii) Closed, tight-fitting windows; and

(iii) Solid, self-closing, tight-fitting doors.

May 14, 2025

Routine

Score: 904 violations

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

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(7)(b) - food contact surfaces and utensils - cleaning frequency (p, c)

4 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: Yes

Observed heavy mildew-like build up on the baffle of the ice machine. Next repeat violation in this category will result in an informal hearing at the Effingham County Health Department.

18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present

Regulation: 511-6-1.07(5)(k) - controlling pests (pf, c)

3 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed a live roach on a wall in the back of the house. Observed a live flies throughout the kitchen area of the facility.

18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present

Regulation: 511-6-1.07(5)(k) - controlling pests (pf, c)

3 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed a can of Raid bug spray in the back of the facility.

CA: Can was thrown away by the PIC.

17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean

Regulation: 511-6-1.07(5)(a),(b) - good repair, physical facilities maintained; cleaning, frequency & restrictions, cleaned often enough to keep them clean (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed heavy food/grease build up under the cooking equipment (fryer, grill).

Nov 13, 2024

Routine

Score: 868 violations

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

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(7)(b) - food contact surfaces and utensils - cleaning frequency (p, c)

4 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: Yes

Observed heavy mildew-like build up on the baffle of the ice machine.

8-2B - toxic substances properly identified, stored, used

Regulation: 511-6-1.07(6)(c) - storage, separation (p)

4 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed WD 40 stored on a shelf next to food additives near the back prep area.

CA: Items was stored with other chemicals.

8-2B - toxic substances properly identified, stored, used

Regulation: 511-6-1.07(6)(c) - storage, separation (p)

4 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed WD 40 stored on a shelf next to food additives near the back prep area.

CA: Items was stored with other chemicals.

18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present

Regulation: 511-6-1.07(5)(l) - removing dead or trapped birds, insects, rodents, and other pest (c)

3 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed a dead roach in the ack of the house.

CA: Roach was discarded.

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 handles for scoops stored within food product (ice bin, bulk rice bin).

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 handles for scoops stored within food product (ice bin, bulk rice bin).

14C - single-use/single-service articles: properly stored, used

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(10)(e)1&3 - single-service/single-use items stored 6" off floor in clean, dry location (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed to-go boxes and cups stored on the floor in the storage room.

14C - single-use/single-service articles: properly stored, used

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(10)(e)1&3 - single-service/single-use items stored 6" off floor in clean, dry location (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed to-go boxes and cups stored on the floor in the storage room.

Jul 16, 2024

Routine

Score: 923 violations

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

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(7)(b) - food contact surfaces and utensils - cleaning frequency (p, c)

4 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed heavy mildew-like build up on the baffle of the ice machine.

CA: Ice was removed and ice machine will be cleaned and sanitized prior to the ice being placed back into the unit.

11D - thermometers provided and accurate

Regulation: 511-6-1.05((2)(l) - tmd, ambient air & water - accuracy (pf)

3 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed inaccurate thermometers in multiple coolers throughout the kitchen and bar areas.

13A - posted: permit/inspection/choking poster/handwashing

Regulation: 511-6-1.02(1)(d) - displaying of the inspection report (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed the most current inspection report not posted in public view.

Oct 13, 2023

Routine

Score: 8210 violations

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

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(7)(b) - food contact surfaces and utensils - cleaning frequency (p, c)

4 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed heavy mildew-like build up on the baffle of the ice machine.

CA: Ice was removed and ice machine will be cleaned and sanitized prior to the ice being placed back into the unit.

11D - thermometers provided and accurate

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(2)(x) - tmd, located in refrigerators/ hot holding (pf, c)

3 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: Yes

Observed multiple cold holding units missing internal hanging thermometers.

11D - thermometers provided and accurate

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(2)(k) - temperature measuring device (tmd), food - accuracy (pf)

3 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed inaccurate/non-functioning thermometers in both prep coolers in the kitchen area, as well as the salsa cooler in the waitress area.

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

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(4)(z) - miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)

3 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed the bottom of a bowl stored atop raw chicken in the prep cooler in the main kitchen area.

18 - insects, rodents, and animals not present

Regulation: 511-6-1.07(5)(k) - controlling pests (pf, c)

3 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed rat droppings in the back room where the Walk In Cooler is located.

CA: Pest control was called to provide routine maintenance. PIC stated that he will email a copy of the invoice by Friday, October 20, 2023.

13A - posted: permit/inspection/choking poster/handwashing

Regulation: 511-6-1.02(1)(d) - displaying of the inspection report (c)

1 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed the most current inspection report not posted in public view.

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

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(10)(e)1,2,4 - equipment, utensil, linens, stored 6" off floor in clean, dry location (c)

1 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed multiple scoops stored inside of food product, with the handle touching the food product (shredded cheese in prep cooler, sugar in bulk container).

CA: Scoops were removed and placed at the 3-compartment sink.

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

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(2)(a) - equipment and utensils, constructed of durable materials (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed single-use cardboard being used as shelf liner throughout the facility.

15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean

Regulation: 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)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed old dish stickers stored on clean dishes on the dry dish rack.

17D - adequate ventilation and lighting; designated areas used

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(2)(j) - ventilation hood system filters, designed to be readily removable for cleaning (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed a missing hood vent at the hood above the stove in the kitchen area. Item was pointed out during last inspection and the PIC stated that the vent was being cleaned.

Hood vent must be replaced by 10/20/2023.