Lincolnton, Lincoln County

El Sombrero Mexican Restauarnt & Grill

116 N WASHINGTON ST LINCOLNTON, GA 30817

Food

Latest score

May 12, 2026

City

Lincolnton

County

Lincoln

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.

May 12, 2026

Routine

Score: 932 violations

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

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(3)(a) - cooling, heating, and holding capacities (pf)

3 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: Yes

Observed cooler under grill unable to maintain adequate temp control CA: ensure coolers are able to maintain temp under 42f COS: food moved to prep cooler

12B - personal cleanliness

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

3 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed employees prepping food with improper hair restraint; wristwear on wrist CA: ensure no wristwear is worn when prepping food; hair is restrained

Dec 2, 2025

Routine

Score: 875 violations

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1-2B - certified food protection manager

Regulation: 511-6-1.03(3)(a) - food safety manager certification (pf)

4 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: Yes

Observed expired CFSM, no active registration CA: obtain food safety MANAGER certification ASAP unique to restaurant

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

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(3)(a) - cooling, heating, and holding capacities (pf)

3 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed cooler under grill not have capacity to properly maintain CH temp CA: ensure cooler is repaired or replaced; can maintain temp at or below 41f

16B - plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Regulation: 511-6-1.06(2)(r) - system maintained in good repair (p, c)

2 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed significant leak in ice machine water line; sprayed in storage room, soiled food CA: ensure plumbing lines are all maintained COS: water to line cut off, food discarded

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 inspection report no posted in drive-thru window CA: ensure copy of inspection report is posted in dining room and drive-thru

15B - warewashing facilities: installed, maintained, used; test strips

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(3)(h),(i),(j) - temperature measuring device, manual warewashing; sanitizing solutions, testing device (pf)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed no test strips for 3-comp sink or dish machine CA: ensure test strips are obtained and used in 3-comp sink

May 27, 2025

Followup

Score: 923 violations

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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 employee health agreements not on site, PIC could not produce signed copies CA: all employees need to sign employee health agreements and know its contents

1-2B - certified food protection manager

Regulation: 511-6-1.03(3)(a) - food safety manager certification (pf)

4 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed expired CFSM, PIC could not provide proof of registration for CFSM class CA: obtain CFSM certification

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

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(6)(m) - mechanical warewashing, sanitization pressure(c)

4 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed dish machine not reach 121f or proper sanitizer concentration CA: ensure all dishes are washed, rinsed, and sanitized properly COS: PIC said they would use 3-comp sink for all dishes until maintenance could fix dish machine - chlorine 100ppm, 121f for dish machine

Apr 25, 2025

Routine

Score: 793 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 employees wash gloves on top of hands; change gloves without washing hands CA: wash hands EVERY time gloves are changed, DO NOT wash gloves over hands, gloves MUST be removed to wash hands COS: instructed employees to follow corrective actions

4-1A - food separated and protected

Regulation: 511-6-1.04(4)(c)1(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii) - packaged & unpackaged food separation, packaging, and segregation (p, c)

9 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed raw chicken, raw beef stored above RTE foods in multiple coolers CA: follow proper storage order according to cook temperature COS: instructed and witnessed PIC move RTE foods on top of raw proteins, PIC provided with storage order handout

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

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(3)(a) - cooling, heating, and holding capacities (pf)

3 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Observed protein cooler under grill temping ~55-60 degrees. PIC could not unlock cooler controls to adjust it CA: instructed PIC to move raw protein to functioning cooler, and not to use that cooler until it temps at or less than 41 degrees

May 10, 2024

Routine

Score: 804 violations

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5-1B - proper reheating procedures for hot holding

9 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed rice and beef being reheated in steam table at 11am at 92f.The facility opens at 11am, so the food could not be served at that temperature. C/a Reheat foods on the stove to 165f before hot holding. COS - foods were placed on stove and reaheated

1-2B - certified food protection manager

4 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: Yes

Observed nobody in facility with servesafe. Most recent CFSM was in 2022 and expired that year. C/a Obtain servesafe ASAP - need a copy of servesafe book to study.

2-2D - adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible

4 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed lone handwashing sink being used to prepare peppers. C/a Wash and prep vegetables in a vegetable prep sink. COS - Moved to another sink.

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

1 ptsCorrected: YesRepeat: No

Observed incorrect inspection posted. Inspection was from 2022. C/a Post most recent inspection in plain view.

Dec 8, 2023

Routine

Score: 836 violations

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

Regulation: 511-6-1.03(1)(a)-(c)1,4,5,6-14,15, 16 - demonstration of knowledge (pf)

4 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Person in charge not knowledge concerning their duties and responsibilities as manager.

1-2B - certified food protection manager

Regulation: 511-6-1.03(3)(a) - food safety manager certification (pf)

4 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: Yes

No CFSM for the facility. Exam was taken by designated manager; individual didn't pass exam; Exam has been rescheduled. Owner and PIC inform CFSM must be obtained within 60 days.

2-2D - adequate handwashing facilities supplied & accessible

Regulation: 511-6-1.06(2)(c) - handwashing sinks, installation (pf, c)

4 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

The hand washing sink had been removed from the kitchen area. Owner stated sink was broken. Informed owner hand washing sink must be installed in the kitchen ASAP.

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 containers of raw food in the reach in cooler uncovered. Discussed with the PIC food safety and protection during storage.

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

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(6)(b) - cutting surfaces (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: Yes

Cutting board on the prep top cooler must be replaced. Excessive pits and grooves. Discussed with the PIC

17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean

Regulation: 511-6-1.07(2)(a) - floor, walls, & ceilings, cleanability (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Floors and walls throughout the kitchen need cleaning and some need repairing. Discussed with owner.

Jun 23, 2023

Routine

Score: 864 violations

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1-2B - certified food protection manager

Regulation: 511-6-1.03(3)(a) - food safety manager certification (pf)

4 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

CFSM expired; employee enrolled in class for August 2023

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

Hand washing need repairing; sink is loosely attached to the wall and sink is leaking; Discussed with person in charge

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

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(7)(c) - cooking & baking equipment (c)

4 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: No

Interior of the microwave soiled with excessive food debris. Discussed cleaning procedures with the person in charge

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

Regulation: 511-6-1.05(6)(b) - cutting surfaces (c)

1 ptsCorrected: NoRepeat: Yes

Cutting board on the prep top cooler have excessive pits and grooves. Discussed with the person in charge that cutting board needs to be replaced ASAP.