Flowery Branch, Hall County

EL SOMBRERO #6

5900 SPOUT SPRINGS RD STE E5 FLOWERY BRANCH, GA 30542

Food
Latest score
94
Dec 22, 2025
City
Flowery Branch
County
Hall
Inspections
6

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 22, 2025

Routine

Score: 942 violations

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

3 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: Yes

Observed containers of food store don the floor in the walk-in cooler. Except as specified in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this subsection, food shall be protected from contamination by storing the food: (i) In a clean, dry location; (ii) Where it is not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination; and (iii) At least 6 inches (15 cm) above the floor. Note: PIC moved containers of food onto shelving.

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

1 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: Yes

Observed equipment stored allowing overhead contamination. Except as specified in paragraph 4 of this subsection, cleaned equipment and utensils, laundered linens, and single-service and single-use articles shall be stored covered or inverted. Note: PIC turned equipment over to prevent overhead contamination.

Jun 5, 2025

Routine

Score: 962 violations

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

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

3 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed containers of food store don the floor in the walk-in cooler. Except as specified in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this subsection, food shall be protected from contamination by storing the food: (i) In a clean, dry location; (ii) Where it is not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination; and (iii) At least 6 inches (15 cm) above the floor. Note: PIC moved containers of food onto shelving.

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 equipment stored allowing overhead contamination. Except as specified in paragraph 4 of this subsection, cleaned equipment and utensils, laundered linens, and single-service and single-use articles shall be stored covered or inverted. Note: PIC turned equipment over to prevent overhead contamination.

Oct 2, 2024

Routine

Score: 911 violation

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

Cheese was observed cold holding in an ice bath at 60 Degrees Fahrenheit. 511-6-1.04(6)(f) - Time/Temperature Control for Safety; Cold Holding (P) (f) Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot and Cold Holding. Except during preparation, cooking, or cooling, or when time is used as the public health control, time/temperature control for safety food shall be maintained at 41°F (5°C) or below or 135°F (57°C) or above, except that roasts cooked to a temperature and for a time specified in subsection (5)(a)2 of this Rule and reheated using the same temperature and time conditions as cooking may be held at a temperature of 130°F (54°C) or above. P. Note: The chef voluntarily discarded the cheese during the inspection.

Mar 8, 2024

Routine

Score: 971 violation

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

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

3 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed chicken, steak and fish to be covered tightly, while cooling, in the 2-door reach-in. Cooling shall be accomplished in accordance with the time and temperature criteria specified under DPH Rule 511-6-1-.04(6)(d) by using one or more of the following methods depending on the type of food being cooled:

(i) Placing the food in shallow pans; Pf

(ii) Separating the food into smaller or thinner portions; Pf

(iii) Using rapid cooling equipment; Pf

(iv) Stirring the food in a container placed in an ice water bath; Pf

(v) Using containers that facilitate heat transfer; Pf

(vi) Adding ice as an ingredient; Pf or

(vii) Other effective methods. Pf

  1. When placed in cooling or cold holding equipment, food containers in which food is being cooled shall be:

(i) Arranged in the equipment to provide maximum heat transfer through the container walls; and

(ii) Loosely covered, or uncovered if protected from overhead contamination during the cooling period to facilitate heat transfer from the surface of the food.

COS: PIC voluntarily uncovered food items and placed them in an ice bath during the inspection. See cooling in temperature log.

Feb 26, 2024

Routine

Score: 747 violations

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 being hot held at 93F and 97F in a bain-marie. TCS food must be hot held at 135F and up once the final cooking temperature has been reached to prevent bacteria growth. COS: Both pans of queso ware placed on the grill and reheated to 176F and 178F (Above 165F within 2hrs for 15secs) before continuing to hot hold in the bain-marie.

1-2A - pic present, demonstrates knowledge, performs duties

Regulation: 511-6-1.03(2)(a)-(n)(p),(q) - responsibility of pic (pf)

4 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed there to be 3 critical violations during the routine inspection. Employees are effectively cleaning their hands, by routinely monitoring the employees’ handwashing; Pf

(e) Monitoring of Receiving. Employees are visibly observing and verifying delivered foods as they are received to determine that they are from approved sources and are placed into appropriate storage locations, as required by this Chapter, such that they are received and maintained at the required temperatures, protected from contamination, unadulterated, and accurately presented, by routinely monitoring the employees’ observations, maintaining receiving/corrective action records for deliveries during non-operating hours, and periodically evaluating foods upon their receipt as specified within DPH Rule 511-6-1-.04(3)(m);Pf

(f) Proper Cooking Techniques. Employees are properly cooking cold/hot holding, and reheating for hot holding time/temperature control for safety food, being particularly careful in cooking, reheating, and holding those foods known to cause severe foodborne illness and death, such as eggs and comminuted meats, through daily oversight of the employees’ routine monitoring of the cooking, holding, and reheating for hot holding temperatures using appropriate temperature measuring devices properly scaled and calibrated. Pf

(g) Proper Cooling Methods. Employees are using proper methods to rapidly cool time/temperature control for safety food, that are not held hot or are not for consumption within four hours, through daily oversight of the employees’ routine monitoring of food temperatures during cooling; Pf

(h) Consumer Food Safety. Consumers who order raw or partially cooked ready-to-eat foods of animal origin are informed that the food is not cooked sufficiently to ensure its safety; Pf

(i) Proper Sanitizing. Employees are properly sanitizing cleaned multiuse equipment and utensils before they are reused, through routine monitoring of solution temperature and exposure time for hot water sanitizing, and chemical concentration, pH, temperature, and exposure time for chemical sanitizing; Pf

(j) Clean Tableware. Consumers are notified that clean tableware is to be used when they return to self-service areas such as salad bars and buffets; Pf

(k) Bare Hand Contact. Unless the conditions specified in DPH Rule 511-6-1-.04(4)(a)4 are met, employees are preventing cross-contamination of ready-to-eat food with bare hands by properly using suitable utensils such as deli tissue, spatulas, tongs, single-use gloves, or dispensing equipment; Pf

(l) Food Safety Training. Employees are properly trained in food safety, including food allergy awareness, as it relates to their assigned duties; Pf

(n) Imminent Health Hazard. If an imminent health hazard exists because of an emergency such as a fire, flood, interruption of electrical or water service for two or more hours, sewage malfunction, misuse of poisonous or toxic materials, onset of an apparent foodborne illness outbreak, gross unsanitary occurrence or condition, or other circumstances that may endanger public health, then operations are immediately discontinued and the Health Authority is notified. P However, establishments may continue to operate under an emergency operation plan that has been approved by the Health Authority prior to the occurrence of such emergency events.Pf

(o) Procedures and Plans. Written procedures and plans, where specified by this Chapter and as developed by the food service establishment, are maintained and implemented as required.

PIC is to train kitchen staff on proper reheating to hot hold procedures, where to properly wash their hands, testing of sanitizer solutions in both buckets and ware-wash machine, and proper storage of utensils and cleaning items between uses.

2-2D - adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible

Regulation: 511-6-1-.03(5)(d) - where to wash (pf)

4 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed an employee washing their hands in the vegetable prep sink. Food employees shall clean their hands in a handwashing sink or approved automatic handwashing facility and may not clean their hands in a sink used for food preparation or ware-washing, or in a service sink or curbed cleaning facility used for the disposal of mop water and similar liquid waste. COS: PIC informed employee to use the hand washing sink, located next to the prep sink, for handwashing purposes.

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

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(6)(n) - manual and mechanical warewashing equipment, chemical sanitization-temperature, ph, concentration, hardness (p,pf)

4 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed sanitizer, in ware-wash machine, to have a reading of 0ppm when tested with testing kit. Sanitizer solutions used for food and non-food contact should have a reading of 50-100ppm, when tested. PIC to use 3-compartment sink until the sanitizer is fixed.

12C - wiping cloths: properly used and stored

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

3 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed several cloths being used to wipe down food contact surfaces, to not be placed in a chemical sanitizer solution in between uses. Cloths in-use for wiping counters and other equipment surfaces shall be held between uses in a chemical sanitizer solution. COS: PIC made an additional sanitizer bucket and placed new cloths inside for the kitchen staff to use.

14A - in-use utensils: properly stored

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

1 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed the raw and read-to-eat foods, located in the cooler drawer under the grill, to all have the handles of the tongs touching the food. During pauses in food preparation or dispensing, food preparation and dispensing utensils shall be stored:

  1. Except as specified under paragraph 2 of this subsection, in the food with their handles above the top of the food and the container;
  2. In food that is not time / temperature control for safety food with their handles above the top of the food within containers or equipment that can be closed, such as bins of sugar, flour, or cinnamon;
  3. On a clean portion of the food preparation table or cooking equipment only if the in-use utensil and the food-contact surface of the food preparation table or cooking equipment are cleaned and sanitized at a frequency specified under DPH Rule 511-6-1-.05(7)(b) and (8)(a);
  4. In running water of sufficient velocity to flush particulates to the drain, if used with moist food such as ice cream or mashed potatoes;
  5. In a clean, protected location if the utensils, such as ice scoops, are used only with a food that is not time/temperature control for safety food; or
  6. In a container of water if the water is maintained at a temperature of at least 135°F (57°C) and the container is cleaned at a frequency specified under DPH Rule 511-6-1-.05(7)(b)3(vi). COS: PIC removed the tongs and placed them in the 3-compartment sink to be washed, rinsed, and sanitized.

17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean

Regulation: 511-6-1.07(5)(f) - drying mops (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed 4 mops to not be in a position to properly air-dry. After use, mops shall be placed in a position that allows them to air-dry without soiling walls, equipment, or supplies. PIC to find an area for mops to effectively air-dry, without soiling the walls, where they are currently held in between uses.

Aug 3, 2023

Routine

Score: 874 violations

6-1C - proper cooling time and temperature

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(6)(d) - cooling (p)

9 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

A bowl of cooked Tamales was observed covered in corn sheaths in a bowl that was covered in foil wrap was observed in the walk in refrigeration unit at 76 Degrees Fahrenheit. The tamale was cooked more than 12 hours ago. 511-6-1.04(6)(d) - Cooling (P) (d) Cooling.

  1. Cooked time/temperature control for safety food shall be cooled:

(i) Within 2 hours from 135°F (57°C) to 70°F (21°C); P and

(ii) Within a total of 6 hours from 135°F (57°C) to 41°F (5°C) or less. P

  1. Time/temperature control for safety food shall be cooled within 4 hours to 41°F (5°C) or less if prepared from ingredients at ambient temperature, such as reconstituted foods and canned tuna. P Note: Tamale failed to cool down to 41 Degrees Within (6) hours, so it was voluntarily discarded during the inspection.

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 the main ice machine located in the back of the establishment with a heavy accumulation of black mold and debris along the interior baffle and ceiling of the machine. Food contact surfaces should be cleaned and sanitized at a frequency to prevent mold, accumulation, and debris. COS: PIC to clean ice machine at COB

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 the main ice machine located in the back of the establishment with a heavy accumulation of black mold and debris along the interior baffle and ceiling of the machine. Food contact surfaces should be cleaned and sanitized at a frequency to prevent mold, accumulation, and debris. COS: PIC to clean ice machine at COB

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

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(6)(n) - manual and mechanical warewashing equipment, chemical sanitization-temperature, ph, concentration, hardness (p,pf)

4 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer measured less than 50ppm with tested with a chemical test kit. 511-6-1.05(6)(n) - Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization-Temperature, pH, Concentration, Hardness (P,Pf) (n) Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization - Temperature, pH, Concentration, and Hardness. A chemical sanitizer used in a sanitizing solution for a manual or mechanical operation at contact times specified under subsection (8)(b)3 of this Rule shall meet the requirements specified in DPH Rule 511-6-1-.07(6)(g), shall be used in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered label use instructions P, and shall be used as follows:

  1. A chlorine solution shall have a minimum temperature based on the concentration and pH of the solution as listed in the following chart; P

Concentration Range Minimum Temperature

MG/L PH 10 or less oF (oC) PH 8 or less oF (oC)

25-49 120 (49) 120 (49)

50-99 100 (38) 75 (24)

100 55 (13) 55 (13)

Note: Facility will wash, rinse and sanitize equipment at the (3) compartment sink. The manger has contacted ECOLAB and a technician will be coming out today to repair the machine.