La Mesa Taqueria

Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Establishment license expired on 12/1/2025. Operator renewed the license during the course of the inspection.

Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. In the bottom of the make table cooler by the ice machine raw ground beef is stored above raw shrimp. Operator moved items to proper storage.

Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. There is an unlabeled chemical spray bottle behind the steamer.

Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. There is a mold like substance on the interior walls of the ice machine machine.

Food stored on floor. There is a bag of corn flour stored on the floor in the back area. Operator moved the corn flour to proper storage.

Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. There is a buildup of grease on the hood filters.

Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. Ceviche offered on the menu with no proof of parasite destruction. Operator provided proof of parasite destruction for the mahi mahi used in the ceviche before the end of the inspection

Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. I. The make table cooler by the ice machine raw ground beef is stored above raw shrimp. Operator moved items to proper storage.

Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. There is a mold like substance inside the ice machine.

No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. There is no hand washing sign in the men's restroom and the unisex restroom.

Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. There is standing water in the bottom of the make table cooler by the ice machine.

Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. An employee rinsed and loaded the dish machine then handled cleaned utensils without washing hands.

Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. There is a dirty linen basket in front of the handwash sink in the back kitchen.

No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. There are no paper towels at the handwash sink next to the ice machine. Operator filled the paper towel dispenser.

Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. There is a mold like substance inside the top of the ice machine. Operator removed the ice scoop from on top of the ice machine.

Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. There is food debris on the floor throughout the walk in cooler.

Food stored on floor. In the walk in freezer there are bags of ice, a case of fish and a case of corn stored on the floor.

In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. There is a ice scoop stored on top of the ice machine.

No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. There is no hand washing sign in the unit-sex restroom.

Openings to the outside for equipment, such as ventilation fans, not screened or otherwise protected when the equipment is not in operation. The roll up windows and the front door are open without the air curtains operating. Operator turned on the air curtains.

From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. There is a buildup of grease on the hood filters. - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-14:

Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In the walk-in cooler raw shrimp is stored on top of beef jus. Operator moved items to proper storage.

Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. In the walk-in cooler raw chicken is stored over raw fish and raw beef, raw ground beef is stored in the same pan as whole muscle beef. Operator moved items to proper storage.

Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In the single make table at the end of the cook line, cut tomatoes (60F - Cold Holding); black beans (62F - Cold Holding); sour cream (60F - Cold Holding); shredded cheddar (60F - Cold Holding); shredded jack cheese (59F - Cold Holding).

Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In the single make table at the end of the cook line, cut tomatoes (60F - Cold Holding); black beans (62F - Cold Holding); sour cream (60F - Cold Holding); shredded cheddar (60F - Cold Holding); shredded jack cheese (59F - Cold Holding). See stop sale. Operator flipped the popped breaker back on, cut lettuce 33F cold holding, shredded hack cheese 40F cold holding, ambient temperature 34F.

Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. There is a pan of water inside the hand washing sink in the back kitchen. Operator removed the pan of water.

No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink at the bar. Operator supplied paper towels.

Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. There are employee purses stored with cases of tortillas.

In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Ice scoop stored on top of the ice machine. Operator moved the ice scoop to a cleanable pan.

Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. There is a buildup of grease on the hood filters.